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Brita pitchers are relatively low-maintenance, but it will need to be cleaned. While it’s hard to imagine it getting dirty, being that it only holds water, it can pick up dirt and even grow mold if under the lid, if it is not cleaned. So, you will need to know how to clean a Brita pitcher. Luckily, once you know how cleaning a Brita pitcher is easy and won’t take much time. If you aren’t sure how to clean a Brita pitcher, just keep reading to learn how.
Before we offer instructions, you should know that if you don’t have a Brita pitcher, but you do have another water filter pitcher, this cleaning procedure will work the same for your pitcher, too. Water pitchers are helpful for removing zinc, copper, mercury, and other contaminants from your water. Even if you think your water is fine, filtering it throughout the house with an in-house filter, a faucet filter, or even a countertop filter, will ensure that less contaminants get to you or your family through your water.
How to Clean a Brita Filter – Required Items
You should have most of the items you need on hand when it comes to cleaning a Brita pitcher. If you don’t have something, it will certainly be easy to find at any grocery store.
The items you need include:
- Mild dish soap
- Water
- Sponge
- Mixing cup
- Towel
Depending on how long you’ve had your Brita pitcher, you may also need to replace your filter. According to Brita, you should expect to replace your filter every 2 months or 40 gallons for the standard pitcher and 6 months or 120 gallons for the long last filter.
How to Clean a Brita Pitcher
You might have noticed from the items you need, it’s really just soap and water. As you might have guessed in your quest to learn how to clean a Brita pitcher, the cleaning part isn’t going to be difficult. You’ll really want to pay most attention to rinsing and drying. Obviously, you won’t want any leftover soap in your water. Just follow these easy steps and you’ll never have to wonder how to clean a Brita pitcher again.
Steps for Cleaning a Brita Pitcher
You will want to begin by removing the water filter. If it does not need changed you can just sit it to the side. You won’t need it again until you’re putting the pitcher back together. If you’ve already filtered 40 gallons of water or it’s been longer than two months, you will want to have a new filter standing by, so you can replace the old one with the new when you put everything back together.
Now it’s time to get cleaning! For this you just need some basic soap and water. It’s going to be easiest if you make a solution of soapy water rather than pouring soap into the pitcher itself. At this point you’ll be able to sponge away anything on the inside and outside of the pitcher.
Once you’ve got everything all washed up, you can rinse the unit off with clean water and a soft towel. After all the soap has been removed you can leave the system out to dry. You’ll want to make sure that the water has all evaporated and that the Brita is completely dry. As soon as it’s dry, you can put it back together, placing the lid on and adding the filter.
Prevent and Remove Mold From Your Brita Pitcher
Dust and bacteria aren’t the only intruders you need to fight when cleaning your Brita Pitcher. Mold and mildew pose a much more serious threat to your health, with the additional drawback being that regular cleaning may not be enough to get rid of them.
You need to identify the unwanted fungi growth at the earliest stage so that you can stop it from inflicting any damage on your family’s health.
What are Mold and Mildew?
Molds are a type of fungus that grows in the form of multicellular filaments. They’re usually black or green in color, and feel fuzzy and slimy. An easy way to recognize mold is the characteristic pungent smell they carry.
On the other hand, mildew is also fungus but is much less threatening than mold. They’re usually found in white or grey shades and have a powdery texture. Unlike mold, mildew has a much milder musty smell and a slower growth.
What Instigates The Growth of Mold and Mildew?
Unhygienic and abandoned surfaces act as the number one breeding ground for these fungi. However, sometimes even regularly cleaning your Brita Pitchers won’t stop the growth of these pathogens. The reason could be the atmosphere in your house.
Homes that have an unusually high humidity level can accelerate the growth of unwanted fungi. Use a dehumidifier to keep the humidity level indoors under check. Also, ensure that the room temperature is always at a comfortable level.
Your heating and cooling systems also need to be evaluated periodically because adequate air circulation is also essential to steer clear of these fungi. A clean, dry, and moisture-free home ensures 100% protection against mold and mildew invasion.
However, if the fungi won’t stop growing, consider changing your filter. A standard filter must be replaced every two months or 40 gallons of filter use, whichever comes first. On the other hand, the latest variant meant for long-lasting service should be replaced every six months or 120 gallons of filter use.
How to Get Rid of Mildew and Mold
Mildew is comparatively easier to get rid of. You can opt for commercial soaps or cleansers available on the market that are designed to help you get rid of mildew.
Looking for a home remedy? White vinegar is the answer! Simply pour concentrated white vinegar into a spray bottle and spritz it directly on the affected area. Let the mildew-infested part soak in white vinegar for at least an hour. Next, take a toothbrush and scrape the fungus from the filter.
Molds aren’t as easy to get rid of, especially black molds. They’re dangerous and even mild exposure to them during the cleaning process can have hazardous effects on your health.
Although bleach is considered the best remedy for mold, it comes with its own set of disadvantages and health hazards. The best route to take in this case is to simply replace your Brita filter.
That’s all there is to it! Hopefully this explains everything you know. Do you still have questions about how to clean a Brita pitcher? If so, let us know in the comments!
Ph.D. graduate working as a water quality consultant for many government agencies helping them find solutions to the ever-growing problem of polluted water. Loves a good coffee!