Thread: Camelback

Does anyone else have a camelback? How do you clean yours?

I think it might just be Wellington water but mine has just gone to some weird chemical type taste, I'd rather nip that in the bud sooner rather than later.

Dougie, if you go somewhere like Bivouac or Khatmandu you can pick up a cleaning kit for the bladders. Not sure what they cost though

Originally Posted by Dougie

Does anyone else have a camelback? How do you clean yours?

I think it might just be Wellington water but mine has just gone to some weird chemical type taste, I'd rather nip that in the bud sooner rather than later.

See I told you to watch yourself hunting with forum members the tast may be "roofees"

Keep mine in the freezer when not using it too ,,,seems to stop them turning badddddd

I keep mine in the freezer when not in use.

To clean its very easy. No need to buy a cleaning kit.
Best way is a lemon, baking soda and warm/hot water (from the tap).
Half fill the bladder with warm tap water, add 2 teaspoons of baking soda and squeeze in the juice of 1 lemon.
Put lid on and give a good shake. Squeeze bite valve with fingers and let mixture drain out a bit to clean the hose.
Do that a few times then drain it all out and flush out with cold water.
Put back into freezer till next trip.

I can get u a cleaning kit for it Dougie got a couple lying around. There are effervescent tablets and a wire pull through like a plastic bore brush.

I have never heard of chucking it in the freezer! Brilliant idea. Cheers for this guys.

I don't think I am in need of a bore brush at this stage, it just tastes plasticy. Went down (up?) to Petone this arvo to fetch another 40L of their nicer spring water. I guess I took the water for granted back in Canterbury!

I'll chuck Cambo's concoction in it tomorrow.

Ive NEVER washed mine 2
5+ years old
As mentioned - just chuck them in the freezer - they are sweet

NEVER use bleach or anything - you cant get rid of the taste. When I had my motorbike accident, my gear sat at the bike shop for a couple months.
The shit inside fermented and the plastic developed a horrible taste.. bleached it and had to throw it away.. no amount of washing or Raro would fix it lol

Thanks Cambo, just did this. It worked a treat

Lol, did the bleach thing myself once, not a recommended method. Had a bloody horrible taste as well.

I didn't end up going out today but the last of my Petone water is in the camelback so I've been sipping on that...still tastes a little werid. Grrr.

The sterilizer tablets for doing baby bottles can help with the taste as well. Fill it and drop one in nice and simple .

my cheap chinese bladder would probably snap after I pull it out of the freeze

I throw in a couple of scoops of Powerade just for a bit of flavour. Just rinse it out after use then throw it in the freezer.