How to Clean Your Hydration Pack
Your hydration pack, an essential piece of gear for all your adventures
A hydration pack is the perfect solution for quick and easy hydration whenever you’re out running on either road or trail. By using one, you no longer have to stop when you need to find your water bottle or an energy bar because everything is easily accessible in your pack. Designed to be worn like a vest, it can easily be taken wherever you go due to the way it forms to your body to provide maximum freedom, comfort and stability. Because it’s worn on your body, your hydration pack endures the same miles, elevation gain and elements that you do and therefore requires a good cleaning every so often. So to keep increase your performance and keep your adventure going for as long as possible, here are a few tips on how to wash and care for your hydration pack.
Should I clean my new hydration pack before I use it?
Your new hydration pack does not require any special cleaning before you use it. However, we do recommend giving it a good rinse with water, or even your favorite soda, to get rid of the notorious “plastic taste” that bothers some people. You can find everything you need to know about how to keep different hydration systems clean in our article on how to clean water bottles, flasks and bladders.
Dry your hydration pack after each outing
While it’s not necessary to clean your hydration pack after every trail run, it is essential to let it dry out completely. As a matter of fact, if your pack is not allowed to air out well then over time moisture can damage the fabric and zippers as well as cause bad odors. So, every time you get back from a run…
- Empty your pack, take out the hydration flasks, and open the pockets
- Shake out your pack to remove dirt, trash and crumbs.
- Allow your pack to air out in a dry place that’s away from direct sunlight
Rinse away perspiration in lukewarm water
After a long, intense run, we recommend rinsing your pack in lukewarm water to remove any sweat that has soaked in. Be sure to rinse the zippers thoroughly because salt is one of the main causes of damage to them. Soak your bag in warm water then wring it out gently before letting it dry in a well-ventilated area.
Hand wash your pack
If stains and odors persist, try handwashing your pack with warm water and non-detergent soap. Letting it soak for a while in a sink or a tub will facilitate cleaning. It’s ok to machine wash at low temperature from time to time but we really recommend not doing so on a regular basis (check the label for care instructions) because machine washing can damage fabrics and fasteners over time. Tumble drying is also strongly discouraged if you want to preserve the materials and structure of your hydration pack.
Store your pack in a dry place
Until it’s time for your next run, store your hydration pack with the zippers closed, in a dry place, and away from sunlight, UV rays and heat sources.