Do I have to boil my new water bladder?

[big10hunter]

Just got a new water bladder. Do I need to boil it before I use it?

 

[Brock A]

I never have.

 

[Shrek]

But don't forget to rinse the tube out ! OMG what a nasty taste !

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

I never have.

Me neither.

 

[orionsbrother]

I just wash mine out with warm water and baking soda running a bunch through the tube and rinse well.

 

[unm1136]

Brand new... No. Every couple of months of use denture tablets or camelbak cleaning tabs.

But, She Who Must Be Obeyed runs everything though a bleach soak and a run through the sanitize cycle in the dishwasher when it is brand new...

pat

 

[jmez]

I've never even washed a new one. Fill them up and use them.

 

[Screamrider]

I've never bothered.

 

[goatboy]

Haha had one for 5 years, never washed.. Ever

 

[badkneesbro]

I poured boiling water in one once. Burned right through the bottom as soon as I poured it in. I wouldn't recommend it.

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

I have never boiled one. I have used the cleaning and disinfecting kits they sell every so often. The biggest thing, imo is to make sure and store it in a dry place, upside down so any water will drain. Also make sure that the bladder walls are not touching, but spread apart. Keeping it dry will prevent most mold, bacteria issues if you clean it semi often.

 

[dotman]

I clean mine everytime I put water in it, does that count?

 

[wyodan]

Haha had one for 5 years, never washed.. Ever

Haha, glad I'm not the only one that uses this tactic!

 

[MattB]

A wire clothes hanger makes a great accessory for drying out the bladder. I hope this makes sense, but grab he middle of the flat bottom section and the hook and pull them away from one another to elongate the hanger. Then bend the ends back towards one another. When you hang the bladder, stick the bent hanger inside. The spring-like tension from the metal will hold the mouth open/keep the side from touching. For the bladders that open at the end (big zip), you can also cut the bottom off a 20 oz. gatoraide bottle and use that but it doesn't work as well.

 

[BigDog00]

I wash mine out with a drop or two of dish soap at the beginning of each season...now that I think about it, I should probably be doing this at the end of the season. Anyway, you just have to spend some time rinsing to make sure you get all the soap out. Its recommended to put a little bit of lemon juice to conteract the soap taste if any is left behind. I never do this and haven't ever had a problem.

 

[BigSky]

I use bleach and water at least once a year. After using filtered water from the great outdoors I will also give it the bleach and water treatment after that trip. Never had a problem.

 

[drthornton]

Drop of bleach and lemon juice with hot tap water....let it sit and rinse....don't forget the tube

 

[littlebuf]

As far as a new one goes you'll be fine. I've never cleaned mine either, I do however store mine in the freezer. I think that pretty well takes care of anything going bad

 

[Brock A]

As far as a new one goes you'll be fine. I've never cleaned mine either, I do however store mine in the freezer. I think that pretty well takes care of anything going bad

I freeze mine too. Good idea for storage.

 

[boom]

Drop of bleach and lemon juice with hot tap water....let it sit and rinse....don't forget the tube

i dont do this to a NEW bag, but i do to one i have used for awhile. very lean, gentle bleach soak..rinse and use.

amazing how much better tasting the water can be, if i let it go for awhile.