Generally speaking, clean a Brita pitcher once a month or when you change the filter.
This is the most common Brita filter, usually identified as the “white ones.” They're used in pitchers, faucets, and dispensers, having the capacity to remove foul odor and bad taste. Regarding its efficacy period, you should change this filter every two months or after using 40 gallons of water.
How to prevent mold in Brita filters? Take apart the Brita pitcher. Put the pieces in the sink. Blast it with hot water. Scrub and use soap. Let it dry and reassemble. Don't put it in the dishwasher. Mix 3 cups of water and 1/2 cups of bleach. Leave for 10 mins. Rinse with water thoroughly.
Brita® Standard Filters require a 15-second rinse prior to insertion.
Brita® pitchers are easy to maintain. Hand-wash the pitcher/dispenser, lid and reservoir periodically with a mild detergent—never with abrasive cleaners—and rinse well. Always remember to remove and set aside filters before washing.
Although properly stored public-supply water should have an indefinite shelf life, replace it every 6 to 12 months for best taste. If the water you are storing comes from a private well, spring, or other untested source, purify it before storage to kill pathogens (see below).
Store your BRITA filtered water in a cool place, such as the fridge. Also, protect your BRITA product from direct sunlight to avoid algae and consume the filtered water within one day.
However, Brita has a partnership to recycle its products with TerraCycle. Sign up to receive a free shipping label and send old Brita filters to be recycled.
Generally speaking, clean a Brita pitcher once a month or when you change the filter. Brita filters should be changed every two to six months, depending on the type of filter your pitcher uses. Signs that it's time to clean your Brita pitcher include slow filtering and unpleasant odors.
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.
- Seeing carbon particles in the pitcher or dispenser after several weeks of use is normal.
BRITA water filter systems are designed for use only with municipally treated tap water or with water from private supplies that has been approved safe to drink.
The ONLY difference is that the white filter is a Stage 2 and the blue filter is a Stage 3; and the only difference therein is that the Stage 3 (blue) one adds a mineral 'flavor' to the taste of the water, hence the term 'mineral core'. Otherwise, the filters are the same.
Even old Brita® pitchers and filters can be transformed once they've been retired. Our partner TerraCycle® can turn your old Brita products into 100% recycled goods like outdoor chairs, bike racks, even park benches! Visit the Brita Recycling page to see how.
Depending on the specific filter you're using, your Brita product might not be removing: Lead. Mercury. Cadmium.
But if you haven't replaced the filter in several months (er, years), it's probably not working as well as you think. In fact, if you have hard water, you may need to change your Brita filter even more often because mineral deposits could build up and interfere with the filtration process.
If needed, open water bottles should be stored in the fridge to slow bacterial growth. According to the shelf-life gurus at Still Tasty, a continuously refrigerated bottle of water can maintain quality for four to six days after opening.
It should take some time filtering the water. If water fills up quickly the filter is the wrong size.
Fruit Infusions:
Then, fill 'er up with filtered Brita® water and let the magic begin. Keep the infused water at room temperature for 1–2 hours or in the refrigerator for 3–4 hours. You can leave the fruit in the pitcher and serve over ice for a delicious, healthy, low-calorie beverage.
Bottled Water Cost
The average cost for a case of 24 12oz water bottles is around $6. In total these 24-pack cases amount to about 2.25 gallons. Therefore, in purchasing 5 gallon water jugs, there are some cases where you're paying only $1 more for over twice the amount of water.
When you leave the glass of water uncovered for about 12 hours, carbon dioxide in the air starts to mix with it. This reduces the pH level of the water and gives it an off taste. But even then this water is safe to drink. Moreover, most experts believe that tap water has a shelf life of six months.