Sterilizing Hydration Bladders with Efferdent

This year, I've had a hard time preventing red mold from growing in my Platypus hydration bladders. I don't know why mold started to be a problem this year, but I think I've finally found a way to clean it out of my bladders and prevent it from returning.

The secret is Efferdent, normally used as an anti-bacterial cleaner for dentures, but gentle enough for sterilizing the inside of platypus water bladders. To use, fill the hydration bladder up to about 2/3 of capacity and drop 1 Efferent tablet into the bladder for each Litre of water. After a bit, the tablets will start fizzing and turn the water in the bladders blue. The fizzing oxidizes any bacteria present in the bladder, killing and dissolving it. For maximum effect, tip the bladder over and make sure the blue solution touches all surfaces in the interior of the bladder. When the blue water turns clear in that classic Efferdent way, rinse the bladder out throughly with clean water, fold it up and recap until next use.

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7 Responses to Sterilizing Hydration Bladders with Efferdent

  1. tracr May 15, 2009 at 1:25 am #

    placing a few drops of grapefruit seed extract mixed with 1/4cup of hot water will kill any fungus or mold instantly. it's really inexpensive too. handle with care though as it can burn skin at 100% concentration.

  2. Steve October 23, 2011 at 6:19 am #

    I have also found any of the baby bottle sterilizing liquids or tablets works as well, like Milton's.

    I have not tried Efferdent, if I can find it I will try it.

  3. Earlylite October 23, 2011 at 11:29 am #

    Any drugstore in the US in the denture aisle.

  4. L September 1, 2012 at 12:16 am #

    Rinsing then folding up with the lid will just cause more mold to grow. I have used hydrogen peroxide to clean those bottles, but only when they just had water in them, not when they were moldy. But then we don’t rinse with water afterwards. Just leave the lid off and let the peroxide evaporate out.

  5. Tina Marie January 26, 2013 at 3:34 am #

    You can use alcohol to help the bladder dry out quickly before storing.

  6. Peace January 26, 2013 at 11:48 am #

    Great idea!

  7. Joe January 26, 2013 at 11:59 am #

    I wish I had this tip 15 years ago when I bought my first of many collapsible hydration bottles!

    Awesome tip… Thanks for sharing.