CamelBak Care

Guys, I need a little help. How do I clean and care for my CamelBak? I have no idea what to do and I'd rather not get to an OP and start suckin' down algae.

Soap and water....

That's it? Just put soapy water in there? But then it would need to dry, right? Would I need to put something in it to allow for airflow? Or am I thinking this through too much?

I was googleing and it says just to use soap and cool water then gently scrub the inside of the bladder with a brush then rinse with water and repeat until the soap flows smoothly from the bladder. Flush out soapy water and let air dry. Then your done....unless you want to buy cleaning tablets...

I googled it when I got mine and my source said to fill it with water and one teaspoon of chlorine bleach, then rinse thoroughly. Dry the inside with paper towels, then hang up with the interior open and exposed to the air and let it dry out completely. Do this if you're going to store it for a week or longer.

Yeah I wouldn't suggest using soap, because sometimes it leaves a layer of film that gives you diarreah. I would suggest using chlorine bleach (like lambda said) with a warm rinse followed by a cool rinse. That's just what I've heard.

the instructions that came with mine say to sterilize soak with bleach water and to use a brush on the hose. and if taste bad (like plastic or bleach) i soak mine with baking soda and rinse really good. i soak over night and use air temperature water

Okay, cool. I think I'll try the bleach thing. My CamelBak's been sitting in my Gear "Locker" for the past three weeks with water in it, haha.