I’d really like to use a hydration pack for endurance mountain bike racing but I want to use drink mix instead of water. The last time I tried this I ended up with mold. Do others use drink mix in a hydration pack? What are your tips to avoid mold? Or is drink mix just a no go?
1 Like
I’ve used drink mix from time to time and as long as you clean it out in a timely fashion, I’ve not had any issues with mold. Flush it with lots of water, especially the mouthpiece as I think that’s the most susceptible piece for mold. Good luck,
5 Likes
I’ve not used with drink mix, but even without hydration packs are prone to mold. If I’m going to want to use it again within a month or so, I empty, rinse it, and fill it about 1/6 of the way full and lay it flat in the freezer.
For longer storage, I take all the parts apart, clean well, then leave propped open for a few days to get it completely dry. Only then do I seal it back up.
5 Likes
In addition to the frequent cleaning mentioned above, try storing the bladder in the deep freezer. Makes it much harder for funky stuff to grow.
3 Likes
I put Skratch in my pack almost every weekend. I just rinse it out when I get home and store it with a Bon Dry thingy in it to wick out any leftover moisture.
2 Likes
Wash it out, towel dry the exterior, and toss the empty bladder in the freezer.
1 Like
I use tailwind and have used other drink mixes. I just clean it is soapy water at the end of each ride. No mould.
2 Likes
I’ve used plenty of mix in packs. I think Camelbak makes specific cleaning tabs, but denture tabs are basically the same thing. Soapy water can work as well but can leave behind a bit of soap taste I’ve found YMMV.
Rinse out with hot water, fill back full and drop in tab. Shake pack and fill the tube with the solution as well. Let soak for 10+ minutes. Rinse out, remove tube and let dry hanging upside down overnight. Can also stick something inside the pack (plastic cup) if the bladder sides tend to stick to each other.
2 Likes
I put drink mix in hydration packs all the time … but as others have noted, cleaning it out in a timely fashion after using is the key. Also, I disassemble the small bits and let them soak overnight in hot, soapy water. For the bladder, I fill it up with soapy water then dry it thoroughly.
I leave it out overnight to air dry (sometime two nights) and keep it propped open with an old paper towel roll … which is an unbelievably useful hack for this purpose. Never had a mold problem.
4 Likes
Yeah, just store them in the freezer between uses. Every once in a while I disassemble the nozzle and rinse/dry the parts.
But I’m a risk taker.
2 Likes
also the freezer for me. been doing that for 3 years now, mostly used with water, but also mix.
once in a while I clean it with dental tabs (for cleaning false teeth)
1 Like
I bought this cleaner:
https://www.amazon.com/Strange-Brew-1Step-8oz-One-Step/dp/B0064O7VYY/
which is sold for cleaning beer and wine bottles. You can pick something like that up at any home brew/wine making store, or online. Not sure if its cheaper than denture cleaner.
Using it to clean my hydration bladder, and for cleaning our 5 gallon water dispenser (bottles and the dispenser).
1 Like
I also turn mine inside out. Use a paper towel to dry it completely and hang it inside out until i use it again. This works with the uswe bladders, but maybe not with others that can’t be inverted.
1 Like