Keeping Your CamelBak Pristine: Tips for Effective Cleaning
If you're a keen mountain biker, gravel cyclist or trail runner, then a hydration pack is an essential part of your equipment! But how do you clean it properly after a ride? Here are a few tips.
The hydration bag: the accessory you need to take care of
The Camelbak has become the essential accessory for all long-distance enthusiasts, all sportsmen and women who venture into the wilderness for several hours or even days at a time. With it, you can keep hydrated but also carry everything you need during your outing: a refreshment station, a repair kit, your smartphone, keys, etc.
To keep your Camelbak in good condition for a long time and, above all, to prevent mould and unpleasant odours from developing, you need to take good care of it, and that means keeping the water bag and tube in perfect condition. This will also prevent them from retaining the taste of the energy drink if you use one.
Cleaning your Camelbak: 4 essential steps
First of all, remember to clean your Camelbak after each excursion. It's more hygienic and once you've done it, you won't have to think about it anymore! And most importantly, you'll be happy to find your water bag and tubes in perfect condition for a next ride.
- Clean the water pouch ,tube and fittings with soap and water, using a cleaning kit with brushes and swabs to thoroughly clean the tubes and connections is the ideal solution.
- Disinfect with a mixture of water and white vinegar, lemon juice or special cleaning tablets. Soak the water bag and accessories for 5 minutes, then rinse. We advise against the use of chlorine, which will leave a plastic taste in the water pouch.
- Dry the water pouch and accessories thoroughly to prevent mould from growing inside. Use a cloth and then let the bag hang open using the spacers supplied with the cleaning kit, so that it stays open when drying.
- Store the closed water pouch with the tube in the freezer: the cold will prevent bacteria from developing.
If you only put water in your Camelbak, there's no need to disinfect it after every excursion - once every three months will be more than enough. When you return from your outing, simply wash it, dry it and store it in a cool place.
If you follow all these steps carefully and clean your Camelbak thoroughly after each outing, you'll be happy to keep it looking as good as new!
