Brita’s water filter is similar to the sponge. It soaks the water and expands in size, giving it the ability to clean more water. The soaking process is beneficial for removing the microparticles settled on the filter during the transition. Styrofoam, flakes are some of the particles that get stuck.
What happens if I don’t soak my Brita water filter?
The soaking process is mandatory for many reasons. Water filter comes from different methods conducted in the manufacturing units. Most of the time is put on the open condition in the assembly line.
Many microparticles found in the manufacturing process might have got trapped in the tiny holes on the filter during this process.
The soaking process allows the filter to flush any particles trapped inside and give it a clean filtration.
Another reason is the soaking process increases the filtration making it quicker and more efficient. Brita filter performs like a sponge with a tiny hole and expands when placed in the water.
The soaking process increases the area of the absorbent. Hence more water will be cleaned by your Brita filter.
It allows the filter to process the water from the filter at a uniform rate without contamination in the water.
You receive clean and fresh water from your Brita filter.
How long should I soak Brita filter?
Brita filter should be kept for soaking around 10 to 15 minutes before first use. Once the soaking is done, flush the filter under the running water two to three times to remove any trapped particles and carbon dust.
Any type of remains on the filter could be harmful to your health. When you first apply the filter, ensure that you remove the first few glasses of water and do not drink them. It might be contaminated as well, even after cleaning the Brita filter.
However, the time for the soak varies depending on the brand of the filter. Usually, the brand filters are recommended minimum presoak period of 10 to 15 minutes. For a more accurate time, read the manual of the filter.
Do not over soak the water filter. The purpose of the soaking is to clean the water’s surface and remove any particles from the filter.
If you left the water filter soaking for longer than 15 minutes, there is a possibility that the water may start attracting the microparticles found in the water.
Your filter will become contaminated, and this time the dirt will find its way inside the filter blocking the area of filtration. The trapped dirt will move out when you start using the filter and make your water look muddy.
Also, the trapped particles reduce the efficiency of the filter, making it run slower. The filter may get used up sooner than expected once the blockage increases inside the water.
What happens if the soaking Brita filter is too long?
The ideal time for the soaking Brita filter is about 10 to 15 minutes. If you put your filter on for more than 15 minutes, the contaminated particles found in the water will start covering the filter.
And over time, they will find their way to the tiny holes of the filter, where they will create clogging.
Also, during the manufacturing of the filter, the activated carbon particles may get rapped on the surface of the filter. When you put the filter in the water, they get to remove and start floating on the surface of the water.
When the soaking process increases, these particles again reach the filter, and this time they enter the inside of the filter where it would create a barrier.
Water will not pass through the filter where there is blockage of carbon particles.
As a result, there will be less way for the water to pass, reducing the filter’s efficiency. Your Brita water filter will not perform at its 100% capacity.
How to soak a Brita water filter?
Follow the step-by-step guide to complete the soaking process before using it.
1) Before touching the filter, wash your hand with the soap for around 20 seconds. If there are any bacteria on your hand, they may enter the filter.
2) After that, remove the filter from the box and open it.
3) Get the container size of the filter. Pour the cold water into the container and submerge the filter in the water. Ensure that the filter is fully submerged, so choose the container accordingly.
4) Put the filter in the water for around 10 to 15 minutes. Remember to use only cold water, do not use boil host water for the soaking process.
It may damage the filtration mechanism, and the filter membrane may get broken.
5) After 15 minutes of soaking, hold the filter under the running water to give it a nice flush.
Again use the cold water to clean the surface. Use clean water only, and the hard water may have micro bacteria and dust that may get trapped on the surface of the filter.
6) After you have done the cleaning, attach the filter to the device by following the manufacturer’s instructions.
The most filter uses twist and lock mechanism so check the process in the manual and connect the filter correctly.
7) Do not forget to wash the entire device under running water, such as pitcher, faucet filter mound, coffee machine water tank, etc., with the soap.
Use warm water while soaking your filter. Dry the device for a while before attaching the filter.
8) Discard the first few glasses of water. It will ensure that the water is cleaned and ready to drink. If there is any carbon remains or dust in the filter, it will get flushed out.
Is it bad to let a Brita filter dry out?
Brita filter act like a sponge that works best when it soaks up. When you remove all the water from the filter and keep it for drying, the filter gets contracted during the drying process causing it to lose its actual size.
If the filter is used for several days, there will be tiny particles trapped inside the filter, which now start clogging the small holes of the filter.
Additionally, the dry water filter will not get completely dry from the inside. There will be water inside the filter trapped in the membrane. This membrane will have micro bacteria, which will start multiplying when the condition is suitable.
If you put the filter longer than 1 to 2 days for drying, there is a high chance that the filter will become the home of the harmful bacteria. It will be full of micro bacteria in a few days, making your water contaminated when you use it next time.
Your Brita filter may have lost its ability to filter the water. Once the micro bacteria take over the filtration, it is hard to remove them.
The only way left out is to replace it with the new one. Therefore, the manufacturer generally recommends not drying the filter. If you do not want to use the filter for few days, then store it in the refrigerated area.
The minus temperature in the refrigerator stops the growth of the micro bacteria and protects your filter from contamination. It will keep your Brita in the environment until you come back and start using it.
It is recommended that before using the filter again, keep the filter for 10 to 15 minutes to soak the water again. After that, wash it under the running tap water and then start using it.
If there is any buildup on the water filter, it will wash out the trapped particles from the filter.
I forgot to soak Brita’s filter: Now what can I do?
Nothing to worry about if you forgot to soak the Brita filter. You can still use the filter after cleaning. Place the filter under the running water and give it a nice wash. After that, fill the water in the container and throw away the first few glasses of water.
If there is any contamination in the filter, it will get removed. While using the filter again, check the water in the glass.
See if you observe any sediment in the water. If you find any, then you may have to perform the cleaning process again. Do it two or three times to remove the tiny particles. Also, observe the taste of the water.
If you find a change in the taste or smell in the water, then the water might have been contaminated. In this case, the cleaning would not work. You may have to replace the filter with the new one.
The Brita filter membrane might have developed the micro bacteria that start multiplying when the filter is not in use as soon as the filter becomes empty.
The bacteria tuck in the filter get working and start reproducing inside the filter.
Filter not use for few days may have clogged with a significant amount of the micro bacteria. You cannot open the filter and clean it.
The covering is sealed tight and does not allow users to open it.
The only way to get rid of these bacteria is to replace the filter with the new one.
There is no alternative solution to fix the filter when the bacteria take place inside. Using the contaminated drinking water is harmful to your health.
