Can you dry out a Brita filter and reuse it?
You can take the filter out of its bottle or pitcher, and then we recommend letting it dry out for a few hours on either a paper towel or a kitchen cloth. After you've done that, you can store it somewhere dry and cool in a ziplock bag or you can store it in the fridge.
The Brita Standard Filter (white) should be replaced after every 40 gallons or about every two months. The Brita Longlast Filter (blue) needs to be replaced after every 120 gallons, or approximately every six months. And the Brita Stream Filter (gray) should be replaced after every 40 gallons or about every two months.
The moist environment in the pitcher filter is perfect for multiplication, so bacteria can reach higher concentrations. This can make you sick if you continue to use the old filter.
Tap Water, Brita water filters do not actually kill the microorganisms that may be found in your in-home water supply. In fact, because the filter is not designed to kill bacteria, it becomes a breeding ground for microorganisms, especially if you fail to conduct proper maintenance.
Rinse and dry: Rinse the lid and reservoir with clean water, then set upside down on a dish towel or drying rack to air-dry. Prep the new filter: In the meantime, follow your pitcher model's instructions to prep the new filter (newer Brita models don't need the full pre-soak that old ones used to require).
Brita® pitchers and dispensers are NOT dishwasher safe. Hand wash the pitcher/dispenser, lid and reservoir periodically with a mild detergent—never with abrasive cleaners—and rinse well. Plastic Brita® Premium Filtering Water Bottles are dishwasher safe (top rack only).
- Taste: If you notice a funny taste in your drinking water, then the filter is not doing its job. ...
- Smell: Just like with taste, if you smell anything funny, check the filter.
- Sight: If the water is cloudy or contaminated in any other way, the filter is not doing its job.
You can also try to clean and reuse these filters by rinsing them with water. If there are large debris particles stuck in the filter, remove them with a screwdriver. Make sure you air-dry the filter before putting it back in the refrigerator.
Cleaning & reusing your old water filter is a better option than replacing it with a new cartridge every month. The latter isn't only more expensive, and it is also a burden on the environment.
The BRITA MicroDisc is a slim disc that fits into BRITA water bottles and carafes. The MicroDisc is made from compressed, natural, activated carbon from coconut shells, with a fleece covering on both sides for optimal filtration.
Do Brita filters really need to be replaced?
Brita recommends changing its water filters every 2–6 months, depending on the type of dispenser or pitcher. In most cases, this will mean that people can filter 40–120 gallons of water before a new filter is necessary.
Mold could grow in filters but first there would need to be some organic material around for the mold to grow on. A surface for it filter to make home. The stuff in the Brita filter is Activated charcoal and other mineral chemical compounds and not much if any formerly alive stuff to go bad and grow mold.

Filter water vs. bottled water. Although both filtered water and bottled water can provide healthier, better-tasting water, the cost-effectiveness and smaller environmental impact of filtered water beats out bottled water at every turn.
Elemental Carbon in generally inert in the body and not harmful.
The time recommended for water to sit in a water filter system is three days if kept in a cool place. If the water is stored in a cold environment, you can extend it to a week (source).
As it turns out, scientists say that most tap water in the U.S. is just as good as the water in bottles or streaming out of a filter.
Brita Filters Don't Eliminate Bacteria, Fungus, Or Viruses.
Brita Stream Filters, 3 Count (Pack of 1), Grey
A: Yes you have to have part of the filter wet with water all of the time in order for the filter to work properly, hope this helps you.
In short, no, unused water filters do not expire. There is no set shelf life for water filters, as long as they're not exposed to any moisture. That's the key — moisture is what makes water filters work, and without that, they're sitting pretty and ready for use at any time.
Place the reservoir back into the pitcher itself, then reinstall the filter or replace it with a new one. Put the lid on top and fill the reservoir with water to enjoy a delicious glass of filtered water. Brita recommends washing your pitcher about once a month.
How do I clean a Brita filter?
How To Clean A Brita Water Filter Pitcher-Tutorial - YouTube
Scrub out the mildew
In case you notice any new mold after cleaning, take some white vinegar and mix it with a bowl of fresh water. Now, dip the parts into the mixed solution and scrub till the mildew is thoroughly washed off.
Most manufacturers do recommend refrigeration, though not always with an emphasis on health and safety. "We recommend that you store your Brita system in the refrigerator to get cold, great-tasting water," reads the manual for the Brita Smart Pitcher OB39/42632, a top performer in our latest water filter review.
Both Brita & PUR offer a variety of pitcher sizes and types. If you have a wider range of contaminants you need to remove PUR is the better choice, but for most consumers, Brita is better.
Simply fill a jug or bowl with water. Immerse the BRITA MAXTRA+ water filter in cold water and shake gently to remove any air bubbles.
If the filter is newly installed or just recently changed, black particles may be noticed in the water. These black particles are fine carbon particles left over from the manufacturing process.
- Change Your Filters Regularly. ...
- Have a Regular Cleaning Routine. ...
- Let the Water Settle. ...
- Pre-Filter with a Piece of Cheesecloth. ...
- Observe Correct Storage and Safeguarding. ...
- Store out of Sunlight. ...
- Replace the Charcoal. ...
- Keep an Eye on Your System.
Iron/Rust. One of the most common causes of water discoloration is high levels of iron or rust. This can cause your whole house water filter to turn brown, as well as affect the taste, smell, and appearance of your water.
Knowledge Base Protecting Yourself Air Purifiers Can the Carbon Filter Be Washed? Because carbon filters are able to absorb water, if you decide to wash it, you must ensure that it is only reused after it is completely dried. Being in a damp environment will cause it to grow mold.
Remember that active carbon filters cannot be washed, they must be replaced instead. These filters have an important anti-odor action and water immersion will very likely damage them, with loss of their purifying action!
How often should you clean your water filter?
...
However, how often you change your filter also depends on other factors like:
- Water consumption of household.
- Brand/unit of filtration system.
- Amount of elements that need filtering.
- Hardness of water.
Luckily, a cheap vodka hack has gone viral on TikTok that has many people pouring their liquor through a Brita filter. The results? It apparently tastes like water. This Brita filter hack isn't something new.
Basic water filters that rely on simple carbon (like Brita®) or charcoal are only effective at removing unpleasant odors and taste. These filters are not capable of stopping microplastics and instead allows them to pass right through the filter into the water you're drinking.
When a new one is put in, it seem to flow through fast just because it hasn't captured any of the microscopic particulates yet. As the activated charcoal in the filter captures more particulates, it will begin to slow down some. I suggest you call Brita on their customer service number and express your concerns.
Brita can however be helpful in filtering out chemicals and germs from plumbing issues or other industrial metals and lead but ultimately, this resource concluded that unless there is a serious issue, Brita filters added bacteria and do not filter out microorganisms that tap water does naturally, so tap is essentially ...
If you do not replace it on time, pollutants such as bacteria, pesticides, lead, fluoride, and many others, can build up inside the filter. As the filters clog, it becomes harder for the water to pass through the system. This decrease in flow can have a dramatic impact on the water pressure inside your pipes.
Get cleaner, better-tasting water right from your tap.
This table lists all the contaminants our filters are certified to reduce including chlorine, lead and copper for great-tasting water.
The particles in your pitcher are excess Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC) pieces that have escaped the filter.
This is carbon dust. It's harmless, but can feel or taste unpleasant. Rinse your new Brita® Bottle Filter vigorously under a strong stream of water for 15 seconds. Be sure to direct the water through all sides of the filter, including the inside, so it washes out any loose carbon particles.
Because you kept your water too long in the pitcher. The pitcher has to be emptied and washed with soap every other month and you have to change your Brita filter at minimum 6 months , 3 months would be better. Filters quickly become a nest for algae and bacteria.
Can you drink tap water with Brita?
Brita filters are effective at removing contaminants from drinking water. Brita products are certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), which means they meet the requirements for providing safe drinking water.
Boiling water does not purify it as it still leaves contaminants such as dirt, chlorine and heavy metals back in the water. On the other hand, water filters provide convenient, safe, and great tasting water without any hassle.
A: That's normal, and part of how a Brita filter works. The inside of a Brita filter is made up of a dense mix of activated charcoal particles (black) and ion exchange resin beads (yellow/white). The beads filter out harmful metals like copper, zinc and cadmium. Helpful?
Brita® pitchers and dispensers are NOT dishwasher safe. Hand wash the pitcher/dispenser, lid and reservoir periodically with a mild detergent—never with abrasive cleaners—and rinse well. Plastic Brita® Premium Filtering Water Bottles are dishwasher safe (top rack only).
Cleaning & reusing your old water filter is a better option than replacing it with a new cartridge every month. The latter isn't only more expensive, and it is also a burden on the environment.
- Taste: If you notice a funny taste in your drinking water, then the filter is not doing its job. ...
- Smell: Just like with taste, if you smell anything funny, check the filter.
- Sight: If the water is cloudy or contaminated in any other way, the filter is not doing its job.
The manufacturer recommends replacing any filtered water sitting in the Brita pitcher for several days or more if stored in a cool area away from direct sun (source). However, in a letter to a consumer that had issues with mold/algae, Brita advised replacing the water every day or two (source).
Mold could grow in filters but first there would need to be some organic material around for the mold to grow on. A surface for it filter to make home. The stuff in the Brita filter is Activated charcoal and other mineral chemical compounds and not much if any formerly alive stuff to go bad and grow mold.
How To Clean A Brita Water Filter Pitcher-Tutorial - YouTube
Scrub out the mildew
In case you notice any new mold after cleaning, take some white vinegar and mix it with a bowl of fresh water. Now, dip the parts into the mixed solution and scrub till the mildew is thoroughly washed off.
What is inside a Brita filter cartridge?
The BRITA MicroDisc is a slim disc that fits into BRITA water bottles and carafes. The MicroDisc is made from compressed, natural, activated carbon from coconut shells, with a fleece covering on both sides for optimal filtration.
Cartridge-Based Filters
Bleach: You can use unscented household bleach diluted in warm water to clean the housing. Remember that bleach is abrasive, so this might cause some damage. Use a sponge or brush to scrub off the mold.
Soak the filter.
Pour in oxalic acid, and let it sit until clean, about 20 minutes or so. For the carbon-based filter, mix up a tablespoon of bleach in a gallon of water. Use a soft-bristled brush to scrub down the paper, then let the whole filter soak in the bleach solution for 5 to 10 minutes.
For optimum performance, it's important to change your Brita Elite™ filter regularly. Keep your great-tasting filtered water flowing by replacing every 120 gallons or approximately every six months.
As it turns out, scientists say that most tap water in the U.S. is just as good as the water in bottles or streaming out of a filter.
Both Brita & PUR offer a variety of pitcher sizes and types. If you have a wider range of contaminants you need to remove PUR is the better choice, but for most consumers, Brita is better.
Filter water vs. bottled water. Although both filtered water and bottled water can provide healthier, better-tasting water, the cost-effectiveness and smaller environmental impact of filtered water beats out bottled water at every turn.
Place the reservoir back into the pitcher itself, then reinstall the filter or replace it with a new one. Put the lid on top and fill the reservoir with water to enjoy a delicious glass of filtered water. Brita recommends washing your pitcher about once a month.
Brita Filters Don't Eliminate Bacteria, Fungus, Or Viruses.