Gear Care and Repair—Hydration Systems

Unless you're researching mold growth or odors caused by unchecked microbe production, you'll want to clean your hydration system regularly. Here are a few simple tips.

Water Bottles

To keep water fresh for drinking, water bottles need only a simple rinse and dry. The key is making sure they are dry before storage.

To eliminate odors, fill the bottle with water and a tablespoon of baking soda. Let it sit overnight and then rinse it out with warm water. For a more thorough cleaning, use 2 teaspoons of bleach in a filled reservoir and let it set overnight. Rinse with warm water in the morning.

Hydration Packs

Much like water bottles, a simple rinse and dry will keep your reservoir clean. However, special cleaning systems are available to help sanitize the hard-to-reach spaces of a hydration pack reservoir. These kits include cleaning brushes, cleansing agents and specially designed hangers that open up the bladder so it can dry properly and thus reduce any microbial presence.

To eliminate odors, follow the same instructions listed above under water bottles.