3 Ways to Clean a Water Filter
Water filters are essential for providing clean drinking water, and maintaining their cleanliness is crucial for ensuring they continue to work effectively. Over time, water filters can become dirty or clogged, causing a decrease in their efficiency. To keep your water filter clean and functional, it’s crucial to learn how to properly clean it. In this article, we will explore three ways to clean a water filter.
1. Cleaning a Ceramic Water Filter
Ceramic filters are made from porous ceramic media and are commonly used in gravity-fed filtration systems. To clean a ceramic water filter:
a. Remove the ceramic filter from its housing.
b. Use a soft-bristle brush (such as an old toothbrush) and gently scrub the exterior surface of the filter under running water.
c. Rinse the filter thoroughly under running water to remove any debris.
d. Allow the filter to air dry before reassembling it in the filtration system.
Note: Do not use soap or any cleaning agents on ceramic filters, as these can be absorbed by the porous material and contaminate your filtered water.
2. Cleaning a Carbon Water Filter
Carbon filters use activated carbon to remove impurities from your water supply. These filters typically have an exterior sediment pre-filter that can be easily cleaned:
a. Turn off the incoming water supply valve and relieve any pressure from the system by opening a nearby faucet.
b. Remove the sediment pre-filter from its housing.
c. Rinse the pre-filter under running water and gently scrub with a soft-bristle brush if necessary.
d. Replace the pre-filter in its housing and turn the incoming water supply back on.
For maintenance of the inner carbon filter cartridge, you will need to replace it as per manufacturer instructions – typically every 3-6 months.
3. Cleaning a Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water Filter
Reverse osmosis systems use multiple filters, including a sediment pre-filter and one or more carbon filters. Follow steps a-d from the ‘Cleaning a Carbon Water Filter’ section to clean these components.
For the RO membrane itself, you can occasionally flush the system to remove accumulated debris:
a. Close the storage tank’s shut-off valve.
b. Locate and open the flush valve on your RO system. (Consult your system’s manual for its location.)
c. Allow water to flow through the flush valve for approximately five minutes, flushing any built-up debris from the membrane.
d. Close the flush valve, reopen the storage tank’s shut-off valve, and let the system refill.
Regularly cleaning and maintaining your water filter will help extend its life and ensure optimal performance. By following these guidelines, you can be confident that the water you and your family drink is clean and safe.