Moldy Brita Filter: How Can I Clean It? Detailed Guide
Brita filters are now very popular among people who love to drink purified water, which poses a minimal risk to their health in the long term. But many people have reported mold developing inside the Brita filters, and in this article we discuss almost everything you need to know about avoiding the mold developing in the Brita filters and how to clear moldy brita filter effectively.
A lack of frequent cleaning is the most prevalent cause of mold growth on a Brita filtering device. So if you want to avoid mold creation inside the filter, then you have to clean it regularly.
Mold is a fungus that grows in wet, dark environments. It, like all fungi, requires an organic medium to thrive. If you do not clean your filter on a regular basis, organic debris can build up and contribute to mold growth.
If your water has a high percentage of organic matter (as in unpurified well water), your Brita product may be especially prone to mold.
Table of Contents
- Does Brita filter out mold?
- Does Brita filter chlorine?
- How do you clean a moldy Brita filter?
- What are the white spots in the Brita filter?
- Does the Brita filter work for hard water?
- Some related FAQs
Does Brita filter out mold?
Before we get in, we need to understand what mold really is. Mold is created by contaminated water. When the filtering water carries a lot of bacteria and fungal spores, those small particles accumulate on the inner surfaces of the walls of the water filters.
So when these accumulated bacteria and fungus are there for a long time, they tend to grow faster and create mold. That is why regular cleaning is essential when using water filters.
When the filter is kept in dark places, the growth of this mold is significantly faster than when it is kept in good light.
Brita does not filter out bacteria, fungi, viruses, or any other microorganisms. So when you are using Brita filters, you will not get any safety from the contaminated water. If you need to purify contaminated water, then you must use a different water filter with microorganism filtering capabilities.
Does Brita filter chlorine?
A coconut-based activated carbon filter in the Brita water filter pitcher eliminates chlorine, copper, zinc, cadmium, and mercury.
However, the absorption mechanism of activated carbon filters does not remove all nitrates, dissolved minerals, bacteria, and viruses in water. They pass through the filter, unlike metals, since they do not bond to the carbon.
However, dissolved minerals in water aren’t always dangerous, and most tap water has already been treated to remove germs and other potentially toxic microbes. So it’s usually not a big problem if this stuff gets through.
Does Brita remove fluoride?
Activated carbon components cannot filter fluoride from water. So Brita filters do not remove fluoride from the filtered water.
A reverse osmosis filtering system is a straightforward way to remove fluoride from drinking water.
A reverse osmosis (RO) system may remove up to 92 percent of fluoride from your water. The reverse osmosis technique, in essence, uses household water pressure to force tap water through the filtration process.
Does brita remove microplastics?
No. They are currently waiting for tests on microplastics because this is a new pollutant that was discovered in 2018. To my knowledge, no water filter pitcher has been tested for microplastics yet.
How do you clean a moldy Brita filter?
- Disassemble the pitcher as follows: Pour out any remaining water, remove the filter, and disassemble the pitcher to separate the lid and reservoir. Remove the filter (you should be doing this every two to six months, anyway).
- Clean the pieces: Using dish soap and warm water, scrub the lid and reservoir.
- Take on the mildew: If you still have mildew particles, add 1 teaspoon white vinegar to 1 cup of water. Dip your sponge into the mixture and scrub the mildew away.
- Rinse and pat dry: Rinse the lid and reservoir with clean water, then hang to dry upside down on a dish towel or drying rack.
- Prepare the new filter: Meanwhile, prepare the new filter according to the instructions for your pitcher model (newer Brita models do not require the complete pre-soak that older models did).
- Reassemble the pitcher: Reassemble the parts and discard the first three or so pitchers of water according to your pitcher’s instructions until you no longer notice carbon particles in the water.
How often should you clean a Brita pitcher?
Every 40 gallons, or roughly every 2 months, replace your Brita filter. If your water is hard, you may need to change your filters more frequently.
What are the white spots in the Brita filter?
Usually, white spots or white deposits on a water filter are minerals. Drinking water is always taken for purification from natural wells or springs. So that water always contains many minerals in different concentrations.
So when water is in a filter for a long time, those minerals get sediment on the bottom, forming some white matter.
This thing is very normal, not toxic, and poses no risk to health. But we can still clean those white spots regularly when you clean the green and dark molds inside.
Does the Brita filter work for hard water?
Despite the fact that Brita uses an ion exchange filter, its filters may remove elements such as cadmium and copper. Calcium and magnesium do not follow the same mechanism. As a result, passing hard water through a Brita filter will not soften it.
You will also be interested to read: How fast does brita filter water?
What is hard water?
Water with a high mineral content is referred to as “hard water”. Hard water is created when water percolates through limestone, chalk, or gypsum deposits, which are mostly composed of calcium and magnesium carbonates, bicarbonates, and sulfates. Drinking hard water may provide some health benefits.
Recommended to read also a guide: Types of water filter cartridges
Some related FAQs
Is it better to drink tap water or filtered water?
According to scientists, most tap water in the United States is equally good as water in bottles or flowing from a filter.
Should Brita filters be refrigerated?
Brita pitchers should be stored in the refrigerator, according to the manufacturer (source). You should not keep your water filtration pitcher on the counter since the room temperature and sunlight might encourage the growth of germs and mold.
What is the black stuff on my water bottle?
Black mold is greenish-black in color and has a musty, earthy odor that has been characterized as smelling like rotting leaves or dirt. Mold thrives in dark, damp settings, just like the one provided by your water bottle.
Read also our guide: Bath Fitter Mold Issues: Guide To Identifying, Cleaning, and Avoiding
Hi, I’m Anna Jeffery, an experienced author and cleaning expert. I strive to share my knowledge with everyone by writing useful guides and tips to keep their living and working spaces clean and healthy. I believe everyone deserves to live in a clean and organized environment, and I take pride in knowing that my articles are helping people achieve that goal. Stay tuned for practical and useful cleaning tips!
