I have a Katadyn Vario pump for camping and haven't used it in eons (7 years or so) and I took it apart to clean it.For now, and for future reference, how can I clean the actual intake/outlet plastic tubes? The inlet tube is inserted into gross pond/lake or running stream water, so it's already contaminated. I would love to be able to wash this tube for SURE, safely at home.(The O-rings are still well-lubed, and I've ordered new activated carbon to refill the glass fiber filter.)
Here is what the manual says; Between trips, run a liter of water with two teaspoons of household bleach through the pump. Pump the unit, remove the cartridge from the housing, dry and store. Before next use, pump a liter of fresh water through the system to flush. See use-and-care manual for field tips and detailed instructions.
Sure, just use dishwashing liquid (not the type that goes in the dishwasher - too caustic). And you can also rinse it with a weak bleach solution (a teaspoon in a gallon of water) to disinfect it, then flush it well with fresh tap water. I did exactly those steps with my neglected filter before taking it on vacation last summer and it worked fine.
Use a weak chlorine bleach solution.
