Here’s How to Clean a Hydration Bladder, According to an Expert

Before the year 1989, no one was wondering how to clean a water bladder, because there was no such thing as a hydration pack available to the public. Those were dark years, those, well centuries during which people were relegated to drinking from canteens, water bottles, or botas. 

Then, in 1989, an inventive and thirsty long-distance cyclist named Michael Eidson came up with a prototype hydration bladder that would soon lead him to create the CamelBak, the first such system the world had ever seen. It was brilliant, but it also led to the first time people ever had to ask: “How do I clean a CamelBak?”

Today, there are many great hydration packs made by many top-quality brands – we’ve featured some of our favorites in the past, of course – but one thing all of these systems have in common is a water bladder that can be notoriously hard to clean. But clean it you must! A hydration bladder that is not properly cleaned, sanitized, and stored can develop mold that can render it unsafe, not to mention very unpleasant.

To learn the best way to clean a hydration bladder and to learn a bit more on how to store a water bladder when not in use for a while, we talked to an expert. Said expert is Katie Voigt, Senior Product Designer and Developer for Nathan.

What is the best way to clean a water bladder after a long day hiking, biking, paddling, or so on?

“Rinse the main bladder compartment and hose in warm water and mild soap,” Voigt told us, adding: “Then flip [it] inside out or prop it up on a paper towel holder for drying. And store [the bladder] in a dry area or the freezer to ensure there’s no bacteria growth.”

How often do you need to clean a hydration bladder? After every use?

“Definitely rinse it after every use, and deep clean a hydration bladder after every two to three uses.”

What are mistakes people make cleaning/maintaining hydration bladders?

“Not making sure to clean the hose and mouthpiece thoroughly – the plastic bite valves are removable and replaceable so make sure to get in all the nooks and crannies.” (And replace these parts annually or even more often if your hydration pack gets heavy use.)

Are there any water bladder tricks/hacks you can share?

“Storing the [bladder] in the freezer is a big one, but make sure you dry your bladder first. Then, for people more sensitive to the taste of TPU, adding some lemon juice to the water when cleaning it can help change that flavor.”

And might we add that a good lemon water rinsing out of the hydration bladder before first use can greatly reduce that strong plastic taste, too.