On a day-to-day basis, staying well-watered feels like a Herculean task. (Name one person who gets their eight glasses a day without fail.)
Add in an arduous hike or bike ride and a moldy hydration bladder that makes your water taste like the inside of a sock and you’ve whipped up a foolproof recipe for dehydration.
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The only way to prevent funky tastes and smells in your hydration bladder is to clean it regularly. If only we all were so diligent.
What you should be doing

After the bladder is completely dry, stick it in the freezer to prevent mold from growing.
What you’re probably doing
Throwing your water pack in the garage with the rest of your gear and hitting the shower, then going out to dinner. And then you totally forget about the bladder until the next trip.
We’ve all been there.
How to fix it

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Swish it around the bladder and use a sponge or soft brush to scrub the corners and soft folds of the pouch. Let the solution run through the tube by squeezing the mouthpiece.
Next, wash out the bladder with hot water and mild dish soap; make sure you get all of the solution out. Let the bladder air dry until all the water is gone, then stick it in the freezer. Remind yourself not to let it happen again.
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