Are you a keen camper? If so, keeping your camping water containers clean is essential for ensuring that your water is safe and free from germs. In this blog post, we’ll provide a simple step-by-step guide on how to clean camping water containers so that you can enjoy your outdoor adventure safely and confidently.
How To Clean Camping Water Containers | Step By Step Guide
Step 1: Rinse Out Your Containers
The first step in cleaning your camping water containers is to rinse them with hot water. This will help remove any dirt or sediment from the surface of your container that could lead to bacterial growth.
Make sure to use hot enough water so that it’s comfortable to touch; if it’s too hot, it could damage the surface of your container. As an extra precaution, use a mild soap or detergent when rinsing out the inside of your container.
Step 2: Disinfect Your Containers
Once you’ve rinsed out your containers, it’s time to disinfect them using a solution of bleach and water. To make this solution, mix one tablespoon of chlorine bleach per gallon of water in a separate bucket or bowl (never mix bleach directly into the container).
Then pour this solution into each container and let sit for 15 minutes before draining and discarding the mixture into the sink. This will help kill any remaining bacteria or germs that may be present on the surface of your container.
Step 3: Rinse Again
Once you’ve allowed the bleach solution to sit for at least 15 minutes, it’s time for another rinse with hot water. This should help remove any remaining traces of bleach and any residue from the detergent or soap you used earlier during the cleaning process.
Once again, ensure that your water is not too hot – just warm enough to be comfortable on your skin. After rinsing, turn over each container and allow them to air dry upside down until completely dry before storing them away in their original packaging or storing them in a cool, dry place until needed again!
4 Best Way To Sterilize A Camping Water Container
Whether camping in the backcountry or enjoying a weekend in a nearby state park, having access to clean drinking water is essential. You can certainly bring your water bottles, but if you want to reduce waste, it’s much more practical to store and transport your water in a single reusable container.
That said, there are certain steps you should take to ensure your container is properly sterilized so that the water inside stays safe and clean. Here are four of the best ways to do just that.
Boiling Water
One of the oldest and most reliable methods for sterilizing camping containers is boiling them with plain old H2O. Fill up the container with enough water to completely submerge when placed in a pot on the stovetop (or over an open campfire). Make sure all openings—including spouts and lids—are securely closed. Bring the water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before turning off the heat and allowing it to cool down before emptying.
Chlorine Bleach
Chlorine bleach has long been used as an effective way to sanitize surfaces and objects, including camping containers. Use one teaspoon of chlorine bleach per gallon of warm water (not hot) and stir until mixed thoroughly.
Soak your container in this solution for at least one minute before rinsing it with cold running water. To avoid any remaining traces of bleach, rinse two more times with plain cold water after using chlorine bleach as a cleaning agent.
Vinegar Solution
A simple mixture of white vinegar and cold tap water can also sterilize camping containers after use or refill them with fresh drinking water.
Mix five tablespoons of white vinegar per gallon of cold tap water and submerge your container into this solution for one hour before rinsing out multiple times with cold running tap water afterward. This is especially useful if you need access to chlorine bleach or boiling temperatures while camping away from home.
UV Light Disinfection
LifeStraw Flex Advanced Water Filter System quickly kills 99% of bacteria, parasites, microplastics, turbidity, viruses, and other contaminants found in untreated raw sources such as streams, ponds, or lakes by utilizing its advanced ultraviolet light technology (UV-C).
Fill up your container with raw drinking water, then attach it to the LifeStraw Flex filter system for easy-breezy UV-light disinfection within minutes!
Bottom Line:
Now you know how to clean camping water containers. Keeping your camping equipment clean is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable outdoor experience. Cleaning camping water containers doesn’t have to be difficult – following these simple steps above, you can easily keep yours in top condition! Don’t forget that regular cleaning routines are important, too – try to thoroughly clean all of your camping equipment after each use so that they remain sanitary and ready for use at all times! With these tips in mind, happy camping!