Outdoor Blog

7 Easy Ways to Clean & Dry Your Hydration Bladder

Published

4 years ago

May 20, 2021

Boy with Hydration Pack on His Shoulder Wearing White Shirt before Surfing,

Cleaning your hydration pack’s bladder is probably the last thing on your mind right now. It’s one of those chores that’s remarkably easy to overlook and even the most experienced backpackers sometimes forget to scrub out the water bladder after every trip.

Yes, you read that right, you’re supposed to clean your water reservoir after each use! It may sound extreme, but water bottles, hydration packs, and other hydration reservoirs are the perfect environment for growing mildew, mold, and bacteria.

Thankfully cleaning and drying your hydration bladder isn’t too complicated. There are a few different ways to do it and we’ll cover them all below. First, let’s take a closer look at why it’s so important to keep your hydration pack clean.

Moisture from water and other fluids (especially sugary sports drinks) causes mold to grow easily.

Dangers of a Dirty Hydration Pack

Like many pieces of camping and backpacking gear, hydration packs are rarely cleaned as often as they should be. Most people are content to clean a water bladder only occasionally and just get used to the kind of nasty plastic taste that develops after a while. The thing is, that plastic taste means something is wrong!

At the risk of getting too nasty, part of the problem is that you can’t see into a hydration bladder. Unless you have a model that can be turned inside out, it’s anybody’s guess what’s in there. If we could see it, though, the necessity of cleaning your water bladder often would be clear.

It only takes a tiny bit of leftover water to grow mold and mildew in storage. Most of what grows are just gross, but there are also some dangerous pathogens that thrive in moist environments, so it’s important to take gear cleaning seriously.

There are a surprising amount of people who think that if you just put water in it, you don’t need to clean a hydration pack at all. This is not true! Not only does regular cleaning protect you from nasty bacteria, mold, and more, it will also make your water taste fresher and cleaner. This is what actually sells people on regular clearing. So try it once, taste the difference, and you’ll never go back.

7 Ways to Clean a Water Bladder

There are a few different kinds of hydration packs out there, but most used by hikers and backpackers today utilize a water bladder of some kind. And bladders have really been a game-changer for backcountry explorers of all kinds. You can carry more water much more easily in bladders than in water bottles.

Besides, most use a tube and bite valve to allow you to access water at any time without digging all through your pack for it. While some water bladders may need special kinds of care, the following methods should work on most models and are focused on removing build-up from the inside of the bladder.

You can and should also clean the outside to some extent, but it’s less important than the bladder itself. After all, the water you’re going to drink is what you want to keep clean. So here are the seven best methods for cleaning a water bladder.

1. Hydration Reservoir Cleaning Tablets

Perhaps the easiest method is to use cleaning tablets made specifically for water bladders. All the major hydration reservoir brands offer cleaning tablets. Just mix them with warm water and you’re ready to go. Be careful not to use hot water or boiling water as this can damage the lining of your hydration bladder.

You can also buy full reservoir cleaning kits for Osprey, Hydrapak, Platypus, and Camelbak bladders, among others. These will provide you with brushes and scrubbers designed specifically for the hydration pack you have and can make it easier to clean the mouthpiece and drinking tube. You don’t necessarily need a branded kit, however. DIY methods can work just as well.

2. Use a DIY Solution

So just what are the best DIY cleaning solutions for a hydration bladder? There are a lot of DIY recipes out there and many of them work to some degree. It’s going to depend somewhat on how dirty your bladder is. But any of these should be enough once you’ve started cleaning it out after every use.

One additional tip to keep in mind is that mixing chemicals can be dangerous. Make sure you have a clear idea of what you’re doing and be aware of which cleaners you should never mix. So, one option you have is to make a solution of baking soda and bleach and soak your water bladder in this before rinsing it out.

You’ll need a teaspoon of baking soda, and just a few drops of bleach per liter of water. You can use up one teaspoon of bleach if needed, but generally, less is plenty. Mix throughout in warm water to create a cleaning solution.

3. Other Natural Cleaning Solutions

Baking soda and bleach are far from the only options, however. For a more natural DIY solution, you can use white vinegar and baking soda. You’ll need a teaspoon of each per liter of water and you can use it in exactly the same way that you would a cleaning tablet or the bleach and baking soda solution.

Some people also add lemon juice, either before the main cleaner or by adding it to the mixture. Lemon juice is great for breaking down organic matter and build-up inside the water bladder. If you’ve used your bladder for something other than water, lemon juice can help break down any leftover organic material and combat residual smells.

You might want to play around with your DIY cleaning solution a bit too. Depending on how often you use your bladder, what you’re putting in it, and the climate you’re in, different solutions may work better. With all of these, you can adjust the ratios a bit as well. Just be careful not to overdo it!

4. Denture Cleaner

This is possibly the weirdest water bladder cleaning option out there, but it really does work. It makes sense too. After all, you want dentures to be clean enough to go in your mouth without damaging the material of the dentures. So, if you find it easier to get denture cleaner tablets, or if you want to save a little money (they’re cheaper than hydration pack cleaner tablets), this is a great option.

With all of these options, you can take off pieces like the mouthpiece and bite valve and soak them in a bowl for better access. If you need to scrub inside, the cleaner kits are really convenient for getting a good deep clean. You can find similar scrub brushes with general kitchen cleaning supplies as well.

Plates and foam in the kitchen sink, green ceramic tile background.

Dish soap doesn’t just work for dishes so go ahead and clean your hydration bladder with it!

5. The Classic: Dish Soap and Water

The simplest option out there is to use a small amount of dish soap with warm water. The advantage of this method is that almost everyone has dish soap on hand. But it can be tougher to rinse out thoroughly than some of these other solutions and you may want a more natural solution, especially out on the trail (More on that in a moment!)

With any of these solutions, or with a cleaning tablet, you’ll fill the bladder and then hold it over your head with the valve open, until water starts to run out. This ensures the cleaning solution or soapy water has reached every part of the hydration pack. After that, let it soak for 20-30 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly.

6. Can I Use a Dishwasher?

So, it depends. Some hydration bladders are dishwasher safe and others are not. In particular, Hydrapak bladders are known for being safe to clean in the dishwasher. In particular, these are generally reversible which allows your dishwasher to actually reach the inside of the bladder. Otherwise, it’s not going to be of much use.

If you use the dishwasher, make sure to turn the bladder inside out and place it on the top rack. If your dishwasher has multiple settings, use the lighter ones, and possibly wash with warm water versus hot. After you remove your bladder from the dishwasher, you should still air dry it. Many washers have drying features, but they’re not strong enough to get all the moisture out.

7. Cleaning Your Bladder on the Trail

One particularly tricky aspect of keeping your hydration bladder clean is how to clean it on the trail. For long treks especially, this is essential. So what should you take into account for cleaning a water bladder as you go? The first thing you want to consider is to make sure you have a cleaning solution that’s fully biodegradable.

Natural soaps are one option, and Bottle Bright makes biodegradable water pack cleaning tablets as well. You use these the same as any other cleaning tablets. If you’re sourcing water on the trail, make sure to boil it before bringing it down to the temperature you want for cleaning.

After that, you fill the water bladder, let it soak for 20-30 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly. You’ll want to pour the soapy water into a cathole a good distance from your water source. Again, you don’t want to end up drinking soap any more than you want to be drinking mold! Other than that, it’s pretty easy to clean and dry a hydration bladder on the trail. You can use use-specific drying racks, clothespins and a line, or even just a Y-shaped stick to dry it out.

Drying Your Hydration Bladder

The drying step is a little easier at home. But no less important! In addition to thorough rinsing, you want to dry your water bladder as fully as possible. It’s the moistness that allows mildew and mold to grow, so making sure your bladder is totally dry before you put it away is essential. The best way to do this is to air dry your bladder in a way that maximizes airflow into the bladder.

So you want to find a way to prop it open somewhat or hang it. If you do have a reversible bladder, turn it inside out to dry. Otherwise, you can use a cup hanger, clothes hanger, paper towel holder, or a clothespin on a line to hand dry your hydration bladder. Personally, I find a paper towel holder works best. Plus, it’s right there in the kitchen if you’re cleaning your bladder over the sink.

If you’re going to freeze your Camelbak, make sure it’s not completely full and that it’s right side up.

A Few Extra Camelbak Care Tips

Okay, by now it should be clear that cleaning out your water pack every time you use it is the best option for avoiding mildew, mold, and bacteria inside. There is, however, an extremely easy option if you don’t have time to dry it, or if you have to skip cleaning for some reason. Freeze it! This can also be a good storage option even if you do take good care of your hydration pack.

Freezing will prevent mildew from growing. After all, even the most careful attempt to dry out a water bladder is sometimes unsuccessful. You should also avoid putting especially smelly or strong liquids in your water bladder. For a group camping trip where you’re partying all day, it can be tempting to load up some wine or liquor in a water bladder.

Not only is this a bad idea from a hydration standpoint but it’s also likely to leave your bladder permanently smelling of pinot grigio. Fruit juices can also have this effect (and promote mildew growth), but whiskey is the absolute worst for this. Really, it’s not worth it!

Another Reason to Clean Your Hydration Bladder

In addition to keeping you healthy and happy while camping, cleaning your hydration bladder can help you out in a few other ways as well. Regular cleaning gives you a great opportunity to examine your bladder for mold growth, tears, and other issues.

Taking a close look at what comes out when you rinse it can help you identify a big problem before it gets worse. Or, it can give you a push to replace a bladder that’s seen better days. Finally, regular cleaning and maintenance can impact your warrant!

A lot of hydration systems come with warranties, but they’re only valid if you’ve been taking good care of the pack. If you do want to try and repair small problems, however, it’s not an unreachable goal. Small tears can be patched with silicone-based sealants, and again, lemon juice is a great way to get rid of stuck-in smells of build-up.

Final Verdict:

It may seem like a silly thing to get so worked up about, but cleaning your hydration bladder regularly can save you from some big headaches. After all, no one wants to come down with a nasty illness while out on the trail. And regular cleaning can extend the life of your bladder, help you get replacement gear if something breaks, and even gives you a chance to examine your hydration set up for issues at the end of each use.

Thankfully, there are many ways to clean a hydration pack, and they’re all relatively simple. In fact, you shouldn’t have to buy anything at all to do a good job of cleaning your water bladder. Just remember to use warm water rather than hot, rinse the bladder thoroughly, and make sure it’s completely dry before you put it away!

Bonus tip: Check out this great video on hydration pack storage tips for keeping your bladder in great shape between uses!

Outdoor Blog

How to Take Your Own Internet to Outdoor Events

Published

4 days ago

October 18, 2025

Jonas Muthoni

You’ve got the permits, the lineup, the stage design, and the crowd — but when it comes to WiFi, outdoor events can turn from dream festivals to data dead zones in minutes. Reliable connectivity is now as essential as power or sound. Whether it’s a music festival streaming to TikTok, a food fair using mobile POS systems, or a corporate brand activation relying on live dashboards, the internet connection is what keeps the gears turning.

But the truth is this: counting on venue WiFi at a large outdoor event is a gamble. Hundreds of devices fighting for the same bandwidth can jam up the signal before the headliner gets on stage. Public networks only have one backhaul connection, so your production crew, security cameras, and vendors could all be fighting with concert-goers streaming YouTube in the crowd.

So, if your aspiration is to keep the event chugging along like clockwork, the genius move is to bring your own internet — designed specifically for the occasion, private, and controlled by your event staff.

Why Venue WiFi Fails When Crowds Arrive

Let’s start with the numbers. According to Cisco’s 2024 Annual Internet Report, the average person now connects four to six devices at live events — phones, wearables, tablets, scanners, and streaming gear. Multiply that by 5,000 or 50,000 people, and you’re looking at a digital traffic jam.

Outdoor locations have a very minimal amount of wired infrastructure. The majority utilize older systems or common fiber links, which were not designed for thousands of users at once. When the signal is over-stretched, latency increases, access points fail, and the network grinds to a halt.

For event organizers, this is not only inconvenient — it’s a safety and revenue gamble. POS terminals won’t work. QR ticket scanners crawl. Even backup communication programs freeze.

The Smarter Solution: Creating Your Own Network

Constructing a stand-alone network for an outside event may seem daunting, but technology has made it relatively achievable. Instead of relying on one provider or tower, professional crews now use several sources of the internet to deliver redundancy and stability.

Outdoor WiFi specialists use multi-carrier cellular bonding, satellite uplinks, and WAN smoothing to keep traffic consistent even when one source is down. It’s a lot like having several water pipes feed one tank — if one pipe gets stopped up, others keep the flow consistent.

The best configuration depends on three variables:

Location: Urban park, remote valley, rooftop, or open desert all have different signal profiles and line-of-sight challenges.
Bandwidth Demand: Are you providing power to a 50-person AV crew or streaming to a million online viewers?
Duration: A day-long music festival versus a week-long brand tour will change the way you plan power, cooling, and redundancy.

Professional crews will often pre-deploy with site surveys — gauging carrier strength, spectrum congestion, and potential sources of interference such as LED walls or nearby broadcast towers.

Lessons from the Field

Outdoor WiFi would be a niche specialty, but in today’s world it’s simply part and parcel of modern event production. In the last decade, TradeShowInternet’s teams have helped support hundreds of big outdoor festivals and corporate activations, and there have been a few hard-won lessons along the way.

There was the time crews climbed a half mile up the flank of a Santa Fe mountain with over 200 pounds of gear to put in a solar-powered relay antenna for Red Bull’s Guinness World Record truck jump. A second assignment involved digging cable trenches through snake country in Los Angeles for Christian Dior’s fashion show.

When Univision taped La Banda on the beach in Miami, technicians climbed a 20-foot truss into a lightning storm to raise antennas. These are probably war stories, but they represent reality: each outdoor location introduces its own wildcards. Wind, weather, terrain, and local RF noise all push the limits of planning.

The lesson? Experience is as important as gear. Knowing when to use additional directional antennas, when to flip to satellite failover, or how to protect a router from 100-degree heat isn’t something you can read in a manual.

The Technical Side: How Redundant Networks Keep Events Alive

This is how seasoned outdoor internet crews engineer reliability into temporary networks:

Multi-Carrier Bonding: Equipment stitches together data from multiple cellular carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) to maximize bandwidth and fill signal gaps.

WAN Smoothing: Packets are duplicated and relayed on secondary paths to prevent noticeable drops or hiccups in live streams.
Satellite Integration: Especially when out at remote sites or in mountain events where cell phone reception is spotty.
5G + LTE Hybrid Units: Combining newer high-bandwidth 5G networks with more predictable LTE offers well-rounded throughput.
Portable Mesh Access Points: Create overlapping areas of WiFi that eliminate dead spots across vast grounds or over tented locations.
Power & Weather Protection: Ranging from Pelican case enclosures to solar power solutions, all of which ensure uptime regardless of adverse weather conditions.

It’s a multi-layer strategy — not one device straining the load, but several working in tandem to handle bandwidth, robustness, and coverage.

Why Your Vendors, AV Staff, and Guests All Need Their Own Network Layer

External events normally have three distinct user communities that require the internet:

Production and AV Personnel – operation of live feeds, mixing panels, lighting, and communications programs.
Vendors and POS Devices – card transaction processing, QR menus, and inventory software.
Guests and Media – posting, uploading, or taking part in brand interaction activity.

Mixing them all on one open WiFi is risky. It provides security vulnerabilities and causes too much congestion. The preferred method is network segmentation, creating separate virtual networks that prioritize mission-critical traffic (production, POS, security cameras) and restrict non-mission-critical use like social browsing.

This is exactly how professional outdoor WiFi & Internet solution companies like TradeShowInternet build event systems. They design bespoke topologies that match the unique demands of every event, whether a food festival, marathon, or big corporate activation.

Budgeting and Planning: What Organizers Should Know

According to EventMB’s 2024 Event Technology Report, 73% of event planners say maintaining a reliable connection is important to attendee happiness, yet less than half have a standalone internet budget in place upfront while planning. That’s a recipe for last-minute scrambling.

For all to run smoothly, the network plan needs to be created alongside stage design and power planning — not an afterthought.

Some planning advice:

Start early: Conduct site surveys at least 30 days ahead of the event.
Prioritize wired backbones: Use fiber or Ethernet in production areas whenever possible.
Segregate guest WiFi: Utilize bandwidth caps or sponsored captive portals to control usage.
Redundancy: Cellular + satellite bonding is well worth the investment for mission-critical space.
Post-event review: Collect performance data to inform next year’s plan.

Real-World Use Cases

Outdoor connectivity is not just for music festivals. It’s a necessity for:

Marathons and triathlons – for timing chips, live maps, and emergency co-ordination.
Outdoor conferences or summits – where executives require office-grade internet to make presentations.
Food truck festivals and markets – all vendors need POS access.
Film and TV productions – production villages rely on low-latency connections for uploads.
Races and motorsport events – telemetry, live scoring, and media streaming.

Each of these environments needs a different trade-off among coverage area, upload speed, and mobility.

Why Experience Matters for Outdoor Internet Installations

Each outdoor location is unique. Trees, humidity, metal buildings, even bodies of water can affect wireless performance. Having individuals who’ve done hundreds of installations means fewer surprises and faster repairs when something unexpected happens.

That’s where TradeShowInternet, a leading outdoor WiFi & Internet solution company, comes in. The company has built up networks on deserts, beaches, helipads, mountain ridges, and pop-up brand villages — keeping organizers, vendors, and AV teams connected wherever the event is hosted.

Outdoor Blog

Outdoor Event WiFi: The New Backbone of Open-Air Experiences

Published

4 days ago

October 17, 2025

Jonas Muthoni

A concert in the canyon. A film night under desert stars. A bustling waterfront food festival with 10,000 guests. Across the country, outdoor events are turning parks, coastlines, forests, and fields into memorable destinations. But there’s one service now as essential as power, permits, and porta-potties: outdoor event WiFi.

Whether for ticket scanning, mobile POS systems, sponsor activations, or live-streaming performances, WiFi for outdoor events has become the invisible support that keeps everything running. Without it, payments stall, communication falters, and digital engagement stops.

Why Outdoor Event WiFi Is Mission-Critical

The outdoor events sector, from farmers’ markets to endurance races, is growing quickly. Allied Market Research predicts global festival revenues will exceed $50B by 2030. These venues offer unique charm, but they also pose a challenge: a lack of built-in internet infrastructure.

“Outside doesn’t mean offline,” says Emma Castillo, a production manager for festivals, film nights, and open-air corporate launches. “We rely on temporary internet for outdoor events to manage our security communications, allow vendors to keep selling, and ensure our livestreams don’t drop.”

Cellular service can struggle with the demands of thousands of devices. Some remote locations may not have any service at all. That’s where outdoor event WiFi solutions come in—portable, scalable, and designed for unpredictable weather.

How Outdoor Internet Keeps Events Moving

Today’s outdoor events rely on connectivity in ways that go far beyond letting guests post on social media:

Mobile POS & Cashless Payments – No signal means lost revenue for vendors.
RFID & Access Control – Real-time validation at gates and VIP areas.
Streaming & Social Content – From TikTok reels to sponsor livestreams.
Sponsor Engagement – QR contests, AR activations, and digital signage updates.
Safety & Logistics – Staff communication, emergency alerts, GPS tracking.

A recent Event Manager Blog study found 63% of sponsors now require guaranteed internet access before committing. Attendees want it too; more than half say connectivity is a key factor in their event satisfaction.

Outdoor Event WiFi Solutions in Action: “Lights on the Lake”

In June, the lakeside town of Lakeshore hosted a three-day open-air film festival. The views were stunning, but no wired internet was available, and mobile service barely worked.

The technical crew set up:

Multi-carrier 5G bonding for vendor and guest networks
Long-range weatherproof access points covering the pier and food court
A private secure network for organizers and emergency staff
A satellite uplink for backup

The festival processed thousands of transactions, streamed Q&A sessions with international filmmakers, and even operated a live voting app without a single connectivity failure.

Industry Perspective: Connectivity as a Core Utility

According to WiFit founder Matt Cicek, changes in event technology priorities have been significant:

“Five years ago, internet at an outdoor event was seen as a nice-to-have. Now, it’s as essential as running water and electricity. From safety coordination to sponsor returns, there’s too much at stake to leave it to chance.”

The Future of Temporary Internet for Outdoor Events

As events become more complex, WiFi for outdoor events from service providers like WiFit will play an even larger role. Expect advancements like:

Solar-powered network kits for sustainable operations
AI-managed bandwidth that adjusts to real-time crowd size
Edge computing for instant AR and interactive attractions

For event planners, the message is clear: the quality of your internet connection is as important as your stage, lighting, or sound system. The next time you’re booking a venue, remember—the crowd may be watching the performers, but they’re also looking at their screens. They expect both to work perfectly.

Outdoor Blog

Gear You Should Snag for the Great Outdoors This Season

Published

1 year ago

September 25, 2024

Caleb Cole

Outdoor enthusiasts know that having the right gear can make all the difference. Whether you’re hiking, camping, hunting, or engaging in any other outdoor activity, quality equipment ensures not only safety but also a better overall experience. As we head into a new season, it’s time to refresh your gear collection with essential items that will enhance your adventures. In this article, we’ll explore five pieces of must-have outdoor gear, focusing on both practicality and comfort.

Shooting Glasses Are Essential for Outdoor Adventures

If you’re heading out for a shooting range session or a hunting trip, investing in a quality pair of shooting glasses is non-negotiable. Eye protection is critical when engaging in any activity involving firearms, and shooting glasses are designed to keep your eyes safe from potential hazards like debris, shell casings, and even harmful UV rays.

Shooting glasses are a key safety measure that helps shield your eyes from impact and glare. The lenses are typically made from high-impact resistant materials that can endure tough conditions, making them a must-have for hunters, target shooters, and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Beyond safety, these glasses often come with polarized lenses to improve visibility in various lighting conditions. By incorporating shooting glasses into your outdoor gear, you’re ensuring not only better safety but also improved performance during your time in the wilderness.

What Should You Look For During Black Friday Hunting Gear Deals?

One of the best times to stock up on essential outdoor gear is during Black Friday. Black Friday hunting gear deals provide an opportunity for hunters to snag high-quality items at significantly reduced prices. Whether you’re after apparel, backpacks, or specialized equipment, Black Friday sales often feature steep discounts on top brands that every outdoor enthusiast should take advantage of.

This sale season is ideal for upgrading your hunting wardrobe and stocking up on essential gear that may normally be out of your price range. From weather-resistant jackets to durable boots and base layers, hunting gear can be pricey, and Black Friday is the perfect time to invest in the best equipment. By keeping an eye out for deals during this shopping period, you can save money while ensuring you’re well-prepared for your next big adventure.

Multi-Tools Are a Must-Have

Want to know the most versatile pieces of gear you can carry? It is a multi-tool. Whether you’re camping, hiking, or hunting, having a tool that can serve multiple functions is a game-changer. Multi-tools come equipped with a variety of features such as knives, screwdrivers, pliers, and scissors, all compactly housed in a single device that easily fits in your pocket or pack.

The practicality of a multi-tool is hard to beat. It allows you to tackle unexpected tasks, from cutting rope to repairing gear, all without needing to carry a full toolbox. When you’re out in the wild, you want to be prepared for anything, and a multi-tool ensures you’re ready to handle small emergencies or make quick fixes with ease.

Insulated Water Bottles Can Improve Your Outdoor Experience

Staying hydrated is one of the most important aspects of any outdoor activity. Whether you’re embarking on a long hike or spending hours in a hunting blind, having an insulated water bottle can make a difference. Insulated bottles have features that help to keep your drinks at the desired temperature for a long time, which is especially useful during extreme weather conditions.

These bottles maintain the temperature of your beverage—whether cold or hot—so you can enjoy refreshing water in the summer or a warm drink during chilly morning hunts. Insulated water bottles are also typically made from durable materials, meaning they can withstand the rigors of outdoor use without breaking or leaking. Investing in a high-quality insulated bottle ensures that you stay hydrated and comfortable throughout your outdoor excursions.

Durable Backpacks Can Enhance Your Outdoor Experience

A good backpack is the cornerstone of any successful outdoor trip. When you’re out in nature, you need a reliable, durable pack to carry all of your gear comfortably. Look for backpacks that are built to withstand harsh conditions, provide ample storage, and have ergonomic designs that distribute weight evenly to prevent strain on your back and shoulders.

Modern outdoor backpacks come equipped with multiple compartments to help you stay organized, as well as specialized features like hydration bladder compatibility, rain covers, and reinforced straps. By investing in a durable, well-designed backpack, you’ll have the capacity to carry everything you need—whether it’s extra clothing, food, or hunting gear—while maintaining comfort during long treks.