Table of Contents
- Brita jug is supposed to turn standard, chlorine-rich tap water into better-tasting water that you can sip from your fancy pitcher every time you feel like it.
- But is every Brita experience really a blast? What about these tiny black bits floating in the pitcher, signs of mildew, and bacteria? How to deal with several issues that may appear?
- In our guide, let’s discover how to clean Brita pitcher step by step.
What is a Brita water filter?
Standard Brita filters are certified by NSF International to remove the most important contaminants, chlorine, and several harmful metals from the tap water; this way, we can drink it without worrying about our health.
Municipal water districts use chlorine to protect the public from bacteria; unluckily, chlorine gives tap water an odor and sour flavor.
Copper makes part of the tap water due to common pipe corrosion. Another metal, cadmium, enters water systems through galvanized pipe corrosion. Both cadmium and mercury enter drinking water sources by refinery discharge and runoff.
Copper, cadmium, and mercury may cause a variety of health ailments.
Important: Brita water filters don’t purify water. Instead, they weaken the chlorine’s taste and odor and minimize the presence of impurities and contaminants such as copper, cadmium, and mercury in your water. (read more on Hunker)
Using a Brita pitcher itself is super easy. You just need to insert the filter and fill the reservoir with cold water all the way up to the top.
One Brita water filter will play its clearing role perfectly for two months of regular usage or 40 gallons of water. After that time, we should replace it.
Cleaning the filter is a bit more complex but essential.
In the following paragraphs, we’ll discover how to clean Brita pitcher, so we’re left with both clean water and a clean surface of our favorite water filter.
Cleaning process
Brita pitcher may look like the last kitchen utensil that would ever need cleaning—at the end of the day, all it does is hold clean water.
But the truth is slightly different—Brita pitchers, just as forks, cutting boards, or pots—need a proper cleanup every now and then to remain hygienic and healthy for us.
Brita jug in your house is constantly exposed to water and humans—i.e., the two principal causes of dirt and bacteria, not to mention the mineral buildup that will sooner or later appear if we don’t clean the filter regularly.
Dishwasher vs. handwashing
Can you wash your Brita pitcher in the dishwasher, or is it better hand-washed?
As a rule of thumb, Brita filter pitchers aren’t dishwasher-safe.
Whether it’s Brita parts such as water filters or whole Brita pitchers, they shouldn’t go in the dishwasher, as they could become
- scratched,
- scored, or
- melted
by heated air, hot water, strong detergent, and churning water.
Hand-wash all three main parts of your Brita
- pitcher,
- lid, and
- water reservoir;
Cleaning pitcher’s instructions
For starters, avoid using scouring pads (pick a non-abrasive sponge instead) and harsh cleaning products. You don’t want to scratch the delicate surface of the pitcher.
Here’s what you may need to clean your Brita water pitcher:
- dish soap,
- sponge,
- white vinegar,
- water,
- measuring cup,
- dish towel or drying rack,
- new filter;
Now, follow these steps to learn how to clean Brita pitcher:
- Take the pitcher apart:
- pour out any remaining water,
- remove the filter and, if necessary, discard it (you should do it every 2-6 months), and
- separate the lid opening and reservoir;
- Wash the pieces of your Brita pitcher with basic dishwashing detergent and warm water, gently scrubbing the lid and reservoir.
Clean your pitcher using a soft cloth or sponge, mild dish soap, and clean water.
Clean Brita pitcher’s chrome lid with a solution of a tablespoon of vinegar and a cup of water.
If you want to reuse your Brita pitcher filter, rinse it under a stream of plain water.
- Rinse the lid and reservoir with clean water. Then, set your Brita pitcher upside down on a dishtowel or drying rack to air-dry.
- Discard the old filter
Follow your pitcher model’s instructions to prepare the new filter.
If you change the filter, soak a new filter in cold water upright for 15 minutes. Then, rinse it in cold tap water.
Newer Brita models don’t need the full pre-soak that old ones used to call for.
- Now you can reassemble the pitcher, i.e., put the pieces back together and follow your pitcher’s instructions.
Tip: According to some new filter instructions, you’ll need to discard the first three or so pitchers of water. Do it until you no longer see carbon dust in the water.
Mold, mildew, and algae prevention
If you find dark patches of mold in your filter, it is a sign that your Brita pitcher has been dangerously contaminated.
If you notice any mildewy bits on your pitcher, make a mixture of one teaspoon white vinegar to one cup of water.
Dip your sponge into the mixture and scrub off the mildew.
Important: Replace the filter cartridge often and clean your pitcher frequently, not letting organic matter accumulate.
Reasons for the mildew to appear may be
- using well water,
- leaving your pitcher in a dark place (mold is a fungus that thrives in moist and darkness),
- keeping your Brita in a non-ventilated room ;
To remove mold, scrub your pitcher with a diluted bleach solution.
If you notice mold in your pitcher, immediately discard the contaminated cartridge.
Typically, chlorine kills bacteria and fungi in water. Yet, since your Brita filter pitcher removes chlorine, your water naturally becomes susceptible to mold contamination.
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