I dug out my hydration pack today to get packed up for the Squamish Scrambler tomorrow. To my disgust I found the thing was overgrown with specks of mold....Yuck.
I have been taking great care to dry out the bladder, tube and mouth piece after each use... but after Mike and Melissa's run in November I was so bushed that I must have just dumped the water and lovely Action Jackson packed the thing away. It's been rotting quietly in the basement storage ever since.
Action Jackson, observing me cleaning my pack with the wooden handle of a cooking spoon and a rag a couple of years ago, wisely went to the MEC and purchased a set of flexible hydration bladder cleaning brushes...I was very excited to be able to properly clean my Source hydration bladder only to discover that I wasn't able to remove the tube from the bladder or the mouth piece from the tube to gain access with the brush. Every time I used the bladder, out came the brushes. Fingernails were broken, swear words deployed, but the tube didn't budge until I finally gave up and resigned to my wooden spoon and rag method.
Facing the growing mold in the bladder today, I let out a shriek... Always practical Action Jackson suggested I search the web for cleaning instruction/instructions on how to detach the tube. Websites abound covering the mold problem in water bottles/bladders and how to get rid of it. MEC site didn't offer any instructions on how to disassemble the Source Hydration bladder...
A variety of other websites recommended bleach for serious infestations. Problem is that since I switched to all natural cleaning methods, I do not stock bleach in my house. The second often mentioned alternative was a mixture of baking soda, water and lemon juice. Anybody who cleaned anything with baking soda and vinegar knows that the third and most important ingredient in that combination is elbow grease... which brings me back to my wooden spoon and rag...Sounded like a lot of work, mess and questionable results.
Before whipping out the baking soda, I gave one more tug on that hose...and voila, it came off. Eureka. The tube brush and bladder brush together with soap and hot water did a beautiful job. All set for tomorrow!
BTW, other than the cleaning issues, I love the Source Hydration bladder. I bought the 3l one a few years ago for $12 at the MEC. It has a wide screw top, a non-leak mouth piece and it fits (filled with about 2l) into my small MEC running hydration pack (the bladder in that one always leaked and also developed holes not too long after purchase). I also use it in my day pack or big knapsack for overnighters.
Comments
Orange Listerine to disinfect water bladders
Hi,
Another trick is to use Listerine every now and then when rinsing it out. The orange flavour leaves a more pleasant taste and is just as effective as the original. I usually leave it a while especially in the hose, and then rinse and dry well. It takes care of any germs that will be there.
Cheers, Lori
Thanks, Lori. Funky, orange
Thanks, Lori. Funky, orange Listerine, eh! Now that I can pull teh tube off the bladder, I am doing fine with my handy MEC brushes. Love'em...and no chemicals involved.
Somebody named Dennis just emailed me to heat the tube under a CANDLE to get it off the mouthpiece...not so sure about that. But maybe warm-water would work to heat it up a bit...
BTW, long time no see...are you still running?
I have never managed to get the elbow off on the mouth pice.
The Source Hydration bladder are great but I can't get the elbow part of the mouth piece off and always have to resort to the knife when replacing the mouth piece.
Disassembling the Source Hydration bladder/tube
Same here, elbow does not come off. I don't have an issue with removing and disassembling the mouth piece...and since Friday I am finally able to take the hose off the bag (still is a pain, but I guess it should fit snug unless you want to have a flood in your knapsack)
Compared to other systems, I prefer Source Hydration bags. Used to have a bag that came with the MEC running hydration pack, which had a ridiculously small screw cap. Also had a roll-up/zip lok style system (I think it also was from MEC) which I never quite trusted. Impossible to fill it up on the go...among other things.
The Bag
Freeze your bag
Since you are heading to the fridge to get a beer anyway, toss the bag and hose assembly into the freezer after you rinse it out. Keep dem critters from growin.
S - if you do need a cleaner, try stealing some of Jackson's Polident (stuff for cleaning false teeth)
Freezing...
That's what Gary suggested on the FB thread for this post. No freezer taste or deterioration of the plastic?
Other suggestions on FB was a rinse with vinegar.
Thanks for the Polident hint...I'll ask Jackson ;-)
Source the Source
"FB thread" ??
I haven't stored mine in the freezer, just read it somewhere else. Mine haven't grown any visible undesirables yet, but I do rinse pretty quickly after runs.
Have you tried going to the source of the Source? They are a little tricky to find, when you Google search "Source Hydration" it seems only links to retail sellers sites come up. According to them, stuff shouldn't be growing in the bladder of hose due to their Grunge-Guard.
http://www.source-vagabond.com/products-ht-carefree.html
There is a contact link on the site, too. Maybe they can help with what they say doesn't happen.
I had "shared" this post via
I had "shared" this post via the nifty "share this" link under every post. Shared on Facebook and got the freezer and vinegar advise.
I think whatever antimicrobial properties the Source bag had (must have had something as it never grew anything) is gone now. I usual rinse well AND air dry thoroughly....just missed it this one time, but will never again ;-) Promise. The brushes (from MEC) are great as one actually can go through the tube (when you get the tube off)
Very Commendable
You are a very disciplined man! I never drain the bag right away and often forget my stopwatch...The problem after MM's (or was it the Pure Satisfaction Run) was that I was pretty dead. I didn't refuel enough during the run. I was cold and wanted to get under the shower right away. After I warmed up, it took me another 30min at least before I was able to eat. Had a glass of hot milk. Couldn't face eating anything solid. Usually, I am quite fine after my runs. I guess you call that bonking ;-) Draining, cleaning and drying that bag was not high on my priority list. Which reminds me, I better unpack my gear from the Squamish Scrambler today and get it all ready for next time. Hugs!
What's Growing in Your Hydration System
Hi,
Thanks for the suggestions. I just got out my hydration system to go cross-country skiing and discovered the tube was filled with mold. I tried baking soda and lemon juice but it didn't clean the tube effectively. I had a hard time with the attachments but then remembered I trick I had used before and submersed the attachments in hot water. The tube came apart quite easily after that. I threaded a wire through the tube and pulled some pipe cleaners through to clear the mold from the sides, then I used an old tooth brush to scrub the mold from the nooks and crannies of all the parts. It looks clean now - I do take care to dry the bag after each use but in future I will take more care to keep all the parts clean.