SOURCE Hydration Systems are as low maintenance as it gets. Water stays fresh for days and weeks - just refill the bladder and head out to your next adventure.
The low maintenance of our bladders is part of what makes them the best on the market. You don't have to worry about bacteria build-up or nasty water taste, because we've taken care of that with our unique bladder materials and design.
But if you want to make sure your bladder enjoys a long and happy life, here's how the pros handle their bladders - including some tips and tricks you might not be aware of.
Handle Your Bladder Like a Pro
Before we get to the cleaning and maintenance part, here's a few tips that will be helpful for sure for anyone new to life with a hydration bladder - and some of these pro-user tips are probably helpful even for seasoned water bladder owners:
- After filling and closing the bladder, turn it upside down to suck out remaining air - so it doesn't slush and take up less space.
- Blow into the tube after drinking, too push the water back into the insulated reservoir - this way you avoid the first sip of lukewarm water (or prevent hydration freeze, depending on where you're sporting your bladder).
- For hot summer days: Fill the bladder to 3/4 and keep it overnight lying flat in the freezer (without the tube). You'll be packing a frozen bladder with ice that will gradually melt during the day, keeping your water nice and cold for hours!
- Your SOURCE Hydration System can store cold as well as warm drinks, up to 60°C or 140°F (never use boiling water!)
- After rinsing the tube: To speed up drying the tube, hold it by the valve-end and swing it in a circle once or twice (only recommended outside with sufficient space around you).
- If you want to create a "fountain" from your bladder, for example to fill a cup with water, squeeze the Helix Valve with your fingers and apply pressure on the bladder, to force the water through the hose (see picture below):
Cleaning and Drying Water Bladders
If used with regular water, SOURCE bladders do not require specific cleaning, drying or draining. However, if used with sweetened or isotonic drinks, or before longer storage, we recommend the following cleaning procedure:
- Disconnect the drinking tube and remove the Widepac closure from the bladder
- Wash the bladder with soapy, lukewarm water and scrub with a soft brush if needed; rinse well;
- Hang the bladder upside down and let it air-dry; do not use a hairdryer!
- To clean the tube, connect it to the bladder; open or disconnect the valve and press water through the tube by rolling up the reservoir top-down; rinse the tube with soapy, lukewarm water; to clean the tube thoroughly from residue of sweetened drinks, consider cleaning it with our Tube Brush
- Lastly, this is beyond routine cleaning, and only recommend when your valve got pushed deep into the mud or if it's for some other reason completely messy and dirty: disassemble the Helix drinking valve as pictured below.
Storage
When all parts of the SOURCE Hydration System are completely dry, connect them and store them in a dry and clean place. Do not store them wet or humid.
After extended storage time, rinse and then fill up, drink - repeat.
Replacements
If the silicon part of the Helix valve was chewed up by someone in your family, or in case you want to upgrade your drinking tube: find valve replacements and other separate parts of our SOURCE Hydration Systems on our website!
Accessories
SOURCE Water Bladders are extremely low maintenance, reliable and durable. But we at SOURCE like to make your life even easier. This is why we have developed a range of super-practical Hydration Accessories: a Magnetic Clip, to keep the Drinking Valve in place when you're on the move; the UTA Universal Tube Adaptor, for rapid refilling, without removing the bladder from the backpack; or an Isolation Sleeve, which makes your hydration bladder ready for winter; and many more. Enjoy the outdoors with SOURCE!
