Machines are for backpacks, not hydration bladders.

No, don’t put a backpack with a hydration bladder in the washing machine — the bladder will get crushed, kinked, or warped, and that can ruin it.

Take the bladder out first, every time. Wash it by hand with warm water and a mild soap (there are cleaning tablets too), then rinse it well and hang it to dry. That’s the only way to keep it in good shape and avoid soapy water next time you’re on the trail.

The backpack itself is a different story. If it’s a basic pack without a big foam backsheet, you can machine wash it on cold, gentle, with a little mild detergent. No fabric softener. Put it in a pillowcase or mesh bag if you’re worried about straps snagging, and let it air dry. If the pack has thick foam padding or a rigid frame, hand wash that part instead — machine agitation can mess up the shape.

Setting-wise, keep it cold and delicate, and skip the high spin. But the bladder stays out of the machine.

Take the five minutes to hand wash the bladder. It’s the only thing keeping your water from tasting like a washing machine.