the seam on my platypus by the neck started to go, i sent it back via the shop i got it from and i recieved a new one back including new tube and valve, thanks to their lifetime guarantee

If I was more disciplined, and had more space in the kitchen to hang dripping things and whirl tubes around, I would definitely go for the "clean and dry thoroughly then store at room temperature" approach.

However, I tend to forget all about bladders and tubes until at least the Monday evening following the weekend, then realise with horror that small black things are already visible, gratefully chomping away on the remains of the weekend's energy drink...

At that point things get rinsed and refilled and sterilising tablets get popped in, but because I'm easily distracted (and don't have space for hanging drippy things) the bladders then get a quick shake & a superficial dry, before being bunged straight in the freezer - much to the disgust of any small black things which may remain, but so far without ill effects to me. It's entirely my own fault either way, but I suspect I'll be replacing my bladder because the colony of small black things is getting too large to ignore quite some time before the freeze-thaw effect finally knackers the seams.

But I'll post again if I turn out to be wrong on that!

[Helen Southall]

After the walk, I empty the platypus completely, disconnect the tube and mouth piece, I turn the bag upsidedown and hang it with a clothes peg at an angle so that all water drips out and natually dries. The tube is taken into the garden and swung round and round at great force and this gets all the water out by centrifugal force. If the tube has become grottie then a soak in Milton cleans and sterilizes in one go, rince well and again swing the tube round and round in the garden or open air. It gets the tube completely dry, then I store ready for use again, no need to freeze, you will only shorten the life of the plastic which does not like being frozen.

oops miss read geoffs last post, got the "it is" the wrong way round

it's good enough for babies and their immature immunne system

Thanks for the advice folks. I hadn't thought of Milton but it is really effective. A couple of hours soak and the tube is fresh and clean again.

soak in milton, then roll up and store in freezer
to clean out the tube with a cloth you need a 'mouse' such as a darning needle threaded with cotton which is tied to the cloth use the darning needle as a weight to thread the cotton through the tube, pull the cotton through and the cloth will follow

Keeps the gut clean as well Matt. I preffer Teso drink Bottles for short trips, less soap residue.
David H

I now use an old fairy liquid bottle to carry my water in. It's great - and clean. Matt.

I let mine get horrible, then leave it out for the wife to see, she looks at it mutters some thing about walkers and disgust. Then the next day it is on the table sparkling clean and looking like new.
David H

I use Milton to soak the bottle and tube, then I have a long flexi bottle brush to clean the inside of the tube, finish with a rinse, and Bob's your 5 new p.

I soak mine now and then in sterilising fluid. Failing that, scrape off what you can with a knitting needle!

John

Does anyone have a good way of keeping these clean? All mine develop black stains inside the tube after just a few uses. Bi-carb is supposed to help clean them but it doesn't!

Geoff