Double Bass Storing Dampits

[E_strat]

Hey folks!

This is actually my first post on the DB forums, although I've been playing for a few years and EB much longer. Anyway, how should I be storing my Dampits when I'm not using them? Is it okay for them to just sit out or should I put them in some kind of plastic bag to keep from drying out? Even further, are there any recommended ways to clean them?

Thanks!

 

[DoubleMIDI]

Dampits are basically a sponge in a rubber tube with holes in it.
To avoid the buildup of bacteria, I would let them dry out if they are not used.
Cleaning them is simple. Usually they clean themselves, but if you got some bacteria build up in the inside, I would put something anti-bacterial in the water the next time the sponge gets wet.

I don't use my Dampit any longer since I found something better. I got the Stretto humidifier (Swiss made) which is made of something similar to silica-gel. The granules take the water rather quickly (but not as fast as the sponge) and slowly dry out. In my instrument it took about a week outside of the bag to let the granules dry out. The big plus is that you can press some water out of the package and then there won't be any water dripping out.
With the Dampits it is much harder to keep as much water in as possible without dripping some out.