How to Remove the Plastic Taste from a Hydration Bladder? Our 5 Methods!

Posted on: 2024-11-21

The hydration bladder is ideal for staying hydrated easily while hiking, trail running, or even biking. Its long tube allows you to drink without needing to take the bladder out of your backpack, saving you valuable time.

Although the hydration bladder offers many advantages, sometimes the water can have a plastic taste. First of all, rest assured that this is not dangerous. Just make sure to choose BPA-free hydration bladders.

However, drinking water with a plastic taste is definitely unpleasant. Fortunately, there are methods to avoid this situation. We’ll present them to you in this article.

Discover our BPA-free hydration bladders

#1 : Clean your hydration bladder after each use

Whether you're using your hydration bladder for energy drinks or just water, it's important to clean it between each use. For this, use water and soap. If you have a cleaning brush (like a bottle brush), it's a bonus that will help you scrub into all the nooks and crannies.

However, avoid putting it in the dishwasher as it could damage the plastic seams.

#2 : Clean your bladder with lemon juice and baking soda

If you're reading this article, you've probably already tried the first method without success. Let's take it to the next level. Instead of cleaning with soap, mix a little lemon juice with baking soda. Opt for this natural method over bleach. Simply let the mixture soak for a few minutes. After rinsing the bladder with clean water, the plastic taste should be gone.

#3 : Use white vinegar and baking soda

If tip #2 still isn't effective, you can replace the lemon juice with white vinegar. Often used to clean various parts of your house, white vinegar is also effective at removing the bad taste from a hydration bladder. As with the lemon juice, let it soak for a few minutes before rinsing with clear water.

#4 : Opt for cleaning tablets

The fourth tip is to use cleaning tablets. This method is especially convenient if you’re in the middle of an activity, particularly for hikers. Instead of carrying lemon juice and baking soda (which isn’t very practical, we agree), cleaning tablets can be a good alternative. They’re lightweight and won’t take up space in your backpack. You could even slip them into your pocket.

By cleaning your water bladder, you’ll eliminate the bacteria that can cause the bad taste. While this solution doesn’t guarantee 100% success, at least you’ll have a clean water bladder.

#5 : Store your water bladder in the freezer

This is definitely the method we prefer at Freezedried & Co. It's simple and doesn't require any ingredients. Here's the step-by-step process to remove the bad taste:

  1. Clean your water bladder with clear water.
  2. Dry it completely. It's important to follow this step carefully!
  3. Store the bladder in the freezer, removing the hydration tube.

The cold prevents bacteria, which cause the bad taste, from proliferating. This way, you can enjoy tasteless water during your next outdoor adventures! From experience, this is the most effective method.

For your information, we've used the example of water bladders, but these tips are valid for all plastic containers, from water bottles to reservoirs, flasks, and even pump water filters.

Here's a quick recap:

  • Make sure you have a BPA-free water bladder
  • Clean your water bladder after every use
  • Dry it completely to prevent mold
  • Bonus: store it in the freezer to prevent bacteria from growing

We wish you happy outdoor outings

A Word About Lyophilise & Co 🌶

Based in Lorient, Lyophilise & Co is the go-to reference for freeze-dried meals and high-quality outdoor gear. Whether you're a hiker, skipper, trail runner, bushcraft enthusiast, or bivouac lover, we offer a wide range of technical products tailored to all your adventures. With over 2,000 items available, we support your expeditions in France and abroad.

If you have any questions, our experts are here to help and will gladly assist you:

☎ +33 (0)2 97 87 23 73
✉ team[at]lyophilise.com

We also have a showroom open Monday to Friday:

📍 6 bis rue du Sous-Marin Vénus, 56100 Lorient, France

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