[pct-l] Cleaning a Bladder and Tubes

[tahoe.cat at verizon.net (Bill & Cathy)]

Andrea is right, don't put anything but water in your platy.  Last week I
put Gatorade in my platy and when I put my pack in my tent I neglected to
watch where the hose went. Yes I had a liter of Gatorade in the bottom of my
tent. Not good in bear country. Took a while to get it all out and then wash
it out with water. Yes
Remember "Be Prepared"  Ground Pounder Bill "Semper Fi"
From: "Andrea Henninger" <aghenninger@hotmail.com>
To: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2005 2:23 PM
Subject: [pct-l] Cleaning a Bladder and Tubes


> Somewhere, sometime, I found these instructions.  They have worked well
for
> me.
>
> 1.  Carry a 1/2 L Naglene bottle for non-water drinks.  Don't use your
> bladder for anything but water.
>
> 2.  Clean the tube on the trail and at home by threading some cotton
> (sherdded (need I say it, unused) tampons work great!) through the tube
> using dental floss as a threader.  Simply take a LONG piece of dental
floss
> and thread it through a DRY tube that has had the bladder and bite valve
> removed.  Then tie the cotton to the end and drag it through the tube. You
> will be amazed at how nasty it is, even when the tube looks clean.  Do
this
> several times until the cotton comes out clean.  Use Q-Tips to clean out
the
> bite valve.
>
> 3.  Make a warm/hot water solution of dish washing maching detergent for
the
> bladder and tube assembly.  Use about 1-2 teaspoons, shake it up well
> (including the inside of the reassembled tube and valve) and let sit for
> about 10 minutes.  The detergent contains a mild bleach so it will
sanitize
> the thing, too.  Rinse well and you're good to go!  If you use powdered
> detergent you may have to dissolve it first in the water.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> pct-l mailing list
> pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> unsubscribe or change options:
> http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l