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rayestrella 
Group: Members
Posts: 6412
Joined: Nov. 2004
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Posted on: Nov. 08 2012, 9:12 pm |
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I don't like their material formulation in the first place. But the biggest help is to get it cleaned and dry as fast as possible.
Then go buy a Platypus.
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I measure happiness with an altimeter
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| Post Number: 3
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QCHIKER
Group: Members
Posts: 1728
Joined: Oct. 2009
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Posted on: Nov. 09 2012, 6:59 am |
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I use a mild bleach solution and also a baking soda solution to clean them and then dry them using a bent metal coat hanger to keep the bladder expanded to dry it out easier. Also I use an old aquarium air pump to create some air movenment in it. I just shove the air hose all the way to the bottom of the bladder and let it do it's thing for a couple of days.
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| Post Number: 4
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hikingFF77
Group: Members
Posts: 5237
Joined: Aug. 2005
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Posted on: Nov. 09 2012, 9:15 am |
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You know I was always envious about people who had camelbacks, but I always bought platy's. Just got another, love it.
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“I’m just hanging on while this world keeps spinning and it’s good to know it’s out of my control. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from all this living is that it wouldn’t change a thing if I let go…”
Jimmy Buffett & Martina McGraw
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| Post Number: 5
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Tigger
Woods Pouncer
Group: Members
Posts: 10525
Joined: Apr. 2005
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Posted on: Nov. 09 2012, 10:26 am |
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Mild bleach solution when needed (every few years) and I keep them in the freezer when not in use.
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If I'm going to be lost, in the woods is where I want to be...
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| Post Number: 6
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red dog
Elev 2,180'
Group: Members
Posts: 6635
Joined: Nov. 2003
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Posted on: Nov. 09 2012, 12:14 pm |
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Denture cleaning tablets
You can get of box of about 90 for 4 bucks at Walgreens
Edit:
You only have to ‘clean’ them periodically (as I do with my water bottles at home and the office)…
Dry the bladders out good after every use
Get a cheap aquarium air pump and some hose. Stick the hose in the bag to circulate air and dry it out good after every use.
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Arizona
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| Post Number: 7
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leadbelly2550
Group: Members
Posts: 1042
Joined: Apr. 2009
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Posted on: Nov. 09 2012, 1:43 pm |
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bleach and air-drying has worked for me. occasionally, it helps to clean the interior surface with a soft bottle brush. i also clean the hose periodically with one of those long pipe-cleaners they sell. camelbak's hose is a prime candidate for slime build-up.
i like Platypus a lot, perhaps a little better than Camelbak.
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| Post Number: 8
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Adirondackiteer
Group: Members
Posts: 419
Joined: Jun. 2010
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Posted on: Nov. 09 2012, 3:38 pm |
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I just air dry mine, using something to keep it proped open.
But what about the hose... seems impossible to get every drop out and it cant really air dry with the mouthpiece on one end. Do you all take them apart o what? I tried to pull it apart once but nothing budged and I didnt want to ruin it.
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| Post Number: 9
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| Post Number: 10
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GottaGamble
Group: Members
Posts: 1279
Joined: Sep. 2009
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Posted on: Nov. 09 2012, 5:40 pm |
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I only use water in my bladder, so I give it a good rinse and let it dry over night and place it in the freezer untill needed.
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www.mybackpacking.blog.com
"A government big enough to give you everything
you want is strong enough to take everything you have."
Gerald Ford
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| Post Number: 11
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big_load
Group: Members
Posts: 21843
Joined: Jun. 2004
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Posted on: Nov. 09 2012, 6:18 pm |
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If you keep it in the freezer, it will start to taste like it's been kept in a freezer. Some people don't seem bothered by it, but I don't like it.
I use Platys most of the time, but one think I like about Camelbaks is that you can dry them quickly by stuffing a towel or washcloth inside them.
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| Post Number: 12
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QCHIKER
Group: Members
Posts: 1728
Joined: Oct. 2009
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Posted on: Nov. 09 2012, 6:39 pm |
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I use the aquarium pump on the hose to get air to circulate in it. That way it dries out faster.
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| Post Number: 13
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| Post Number: 14
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Adirondackiteer
Group: Members
Posts: 419
Joined: Jun. 2010
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Posted on: Nov. 10 2012, 1:41 pm |
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(big_load @ Nov. 09 2012, 6:18 pm)
QUOTE I use Platys most of the time, but one think I like about Camelbaks is that you can dry them quickly by stuffing a towel or washcloth inside them.
Why wouldnt you be able to use the same method on the Platy? I have done that on mine...
(JRinGeorgia @ Nov. 09 2012, 3:59 pm)
QUOTE Pull the bite valve out of the tube (the other end is open), hold the tube in one hand by one end and whirl it around like a propeller for 30 seconds or so...
Thanks for the info, I didnt think of that. I'll have to try it again, it was just so tight I didnt want to ruin it, or wear it out by it being so tight and doing it regularly (in the summer I use it 2-3x a week sometimes).
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| Post Number: 15
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High_Sierra_Fan
Group: Members
Posts: 39589
Joined: Aug. 2005
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Posted on: Nov. 10 2012, 10:16 pm |
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(big_load @ Nov. 09 2012, 3:52 pm)
QUOTE
(QCHIKER @ Nov. 09 2012, 6:39 pm)
QUOTE I use the aquarium pump on the hose to get air to circulate in it. That way it dries out faster. Does it taste like aquarium water, or like pump oil?
By putting the intake hose, if available, down into the bag it would be neither: then the air gets pulled in and expelled by the pump. I do that for that very reason with lab equipment I don't want pump oil on: use a vacuum application rather than a pumped air stream with its oil contaminants.
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| Post Number: 16
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LiteMan
Group: Members
Posts: 241
Joined: May 2012
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Posted on: Nov. 11 2012, 9:34 pm |
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I use Borax and hot water to clean my bottles and bags, more effective and stronger than baking soda, but not as harsh as bleach.
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| Post Number: 17
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big_load
Group: Members
Posts: 21843
Joined: Jun. 2004
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Posted on: Nov. 12 2012, 1:43 am |
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(Adirondackiteer @ Nov. 10 2012, 1:41 pm)
QUOTE
(big_load @ Nov. 09 2012, 6:18 pm)
QUOTE I use Platys most of the time, but one think I like about Camelbaks is that you can dry them quickly by stuffing a towel or washcloth inside them. Why wouldnt you be able to use the same method on the Platy? I have done that on mine...
I don't think I have enough patience to feed it through that little hole, but you've inspired me to try.
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| Post Number: 18
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| Post Number: 19
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WisMike
Group: Members
Posts: 797
Joined: Jan. 2011
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Posted on: Nov. 14 2012, 9:15 am |
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Just so you know Camelbak sells (or sold) a cleaning kit which had basically a pipe cleaner to clean the hose, a brush to clean the bladder, some pieces of plastic that you use to hang it dry that keep it open, and some cleaning tablets. As red dog indicated, you can probably use denture cleaners when those run out, but the other stuff can be useful (and for other purposes as well). Now most of this stuff you could buy separately, but if you're able to find the cleaning kit cheap it's probably worth it.
It's here: http://www.rei.com/product/811816/camelbak-antidote-cleaning-kit
Mine didn't have these "dryer arms" so that must be new, and the hanger is different and now one piece, but looks to otherwise be the same thing.
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| Post Number: 21
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DukeFan
Group: Members
Posts: 979
Joined: Jul. 2011
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Posted on: Nov. 14 2012, 10:01 pm |
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(bhuebner @ Nov. 08 2012, 8:57 pm)
QUOTE The following is from TrailPotato.comAnyone else have effective approaches to getting the skank out of your bladder? QUOTE Your Camelbak bladder is getting a little funky isn’t it? And your inner hippie won’t let you just throw it away because that is irresponsible right? The Spud can help you. Read on friends.
The absolutely foolproof and guaranteed method is this… don’t let it get disgusting in the first place! The following are the steps I take to keep my Camelbak bladder getting gross in the first place. By following these steps I’ve never had to toss one out because it got funky.
Step 1:
Store it in the fridge or freezer (just be careful so it doesn’t crack and you’ll have to allow it to thaw before you can open it). This is the easiest option and is my preferred when I am dog tired after a day on the trail or I am using the bladder frequently.
Step 2:
Dry it out before you store it. After draining the water I screw the lid back on and... click here for more
Get a new one if it is that bad...nothing is worth getting sick over a funky water vessel holding water. I can't believe that I stress over water from 500 lost mountains on the East Coast after reading this! ;-)
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| Post Number: 22
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Adirondackiteer
Group: Members
Posts: 419
Joined: Jun. 2010
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Posted on: Nov. 15 2012, 10:43 am |
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(big_load @ Nov. 12 2012, 1:43 am)
QUOTE
(Adirondackiteer @ Nov. 10 2012, 1:41 pm)
QUOTE
(big_load @ Nov. 09 2012, 6:18 pm)
QUOTE I use Platys most of the time, but one think I like about Camelbaks is that you can dry them quickly by stuffing a towel or washcloth inside them. Why wouldnt you be able to use the same method on the Platy? I have done that on mine... I don't think I have enough patience to feed it through that little hole, but you've inspired me to try.
Oh I C. But thats nothing unique to Cammelback, Platy do too. My Platy's zip all the way open at the top, and so does my Nathan.
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| Post Number: 23
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AlmostThere
I must not be there yet, I keep hiking...
Group: Members
Posts: 4890
Joined: Apr. 2008
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Posted on: Nov. 15 2012, 10:47 am |
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Bleach water, once in a while. Especially in the bite valve where nooks develop scum.
It's almost time to replace my big zip... five years and counting, and it's lost most of the logo, and the plastic is getting brittle. Anticipating the end...
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All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking.
Friedrich Nietzsche
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| Post Number: 24
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| Post Number: 25
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Ron.
don't surround yourself with your self
Group: Members
Posts: 11944
Joined: Sep. 2006
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Posted on: Nov. 19 2012, 10:33 am |
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On occasion I brew beer.
The sanitizer I use for brewing is called One Step No Rinse sanitizer.
It also works great cleaning and keeping clean hydration bladders. No bleach after taste and as its name implies, you don't have to rinse it all out, it is non toxic.
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And be kind toward one another
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Survival Skills 101 • Eat Better
