Water filters, be it in your filter pitcher or refrigerator, can be pretty expensive to replace regularly – especially if you live in an area with hard water.
I was pretty thrilled when I worked out that I could simply clean water filters out to give me a little more time before needing to swap it out – and with only two ingredients too!
I tried out the clever cleaning tip for water pitcher filter cartridges to see if I could extend the life of my filter and save some money at home. I was pleasantly surprised by how quick it was – and how well it continued to clean my water.
How to clean a water pitcher filter
As with any good household cleaning hack, cleaning with vinegar was a go-to for cleaning a water pitcher filter. Given that vinegar is so great for getting rid of hard water stains, and you can use vinegar to kill mold, it only makes sense that the simple kitchen staple is also ideal for tackling limescale build-up and bacteria in a used filter.
I started this method by combining one cup of white vinegar with three cups of cool distilled water and soaking the filter for 20 minutes. This helped to loosen any debris or limescale to make scrubbing a little easier later on, and helps to clean any activated carbon within the filter housing.
After that, I found that a clean toothbrush with harsh bristles was perfect for digging out any visible build-up on the filter’s surface. If you don't have any new toothbrushes laying around for cleaning, then you can sit an old toothbrush in a glass of water with a sterilizing tablet to freshen it up for a whole host of household cleaning tricks – especially if dealing with small spots when cleaning a kitchen.
To finish off, I ran the filter under some distilled water to flush any remaining vinegar out and left it to dry completely before returning it to the pitcher. Allowing it to dry out helped to dissipate any residual vinegar smell which I was looking to avoid tasting in my filtered water later. What’s more, it allowed the filter some breathing time to prevent mold development as soon as I returned it to its plastic housing.
A good tip is to leave the cleaned filter on a windowsill in direct sunlight to help speed up the drying process with a little natural heat.
My verdict
Using vinegar to clean a water pitcher filter is certainly handy if you are looking to get a little more life out of your filter before tossing it out, but it may not be a permanent solution as the filters will eventually become too old, and the activated carbon too degraded, to see any benefit from cleaning.
That being said, if you are hoping to stretch out the usage a little longer without needing to splash out on refills every two months, then this hack is for you. Alternatively, you may wish to consider a more permanent filtering option, such as a faucet-fitted filter (Amazon has plenty of options to consider) which you can invest in once, and which helps you to save money over time.
FAQs
Is it better to have a dirty water filter or no water filter?
More often than not, it is better to have no water filter at all rather than a dirty filter. An old water filter will develop mold and bacteria that water can pick up as it passes through, making it even dirtier than before it was filtered in your pitcher. As a result, it is a good idea to regularly clean your pitcher and your water filter, and replace the filter as necessary – or leave it out altogether.
How often should you clean your water filter pitcher?
It is a good idea to clean your water filter pitcher at least every two months – or more if you use it very regularly or live in an area with very hard water. This is also a good interval at which to clean or replace your water filter cartridge, too, to prevent mold growth and contamination.
Cleaning a water pitcher filter is just as simple as cleaning an electric kettle, or cleaning a coffee maker when you have the know-how about dealing with hard water and limescale. If you do not have any vinegar to hand, you may also wish to try this hack out with a descaling solution for a similar effect – just make sure to thoroughly rinse the filter through with distilled water before using it to filter your drinks again.
