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How to Clean a Brita Pitcher and Prevent Mold and Mildew!
Callum Strempel
It is erratic to think that you don’t have to clean your Brita pitcher. After all, it holds nice clean water in the bacteria-free environment of the refrigerator. However, anything that is uninterruptedly exposed to water and human usage, it would get dirty. You will notice smudges, yes! Shocking mold! It is effortless to overlook this device when cleaning our refrigerator or kitchen. Hence the Brita pitcher doesn’t get the hygienic attention for it to do what it does best. The Brita is something we use every day, so it must be cleaned from time to time.
There are apparent choices below, easy and quick. Cleaning the Brita shouldn’t be too much problem. Once you know and get used to the various ways to clean a Brita pitcher, you will not overthink about it during the next cleaning day.
Note that these options can be applied cleaning any other water filter pitcher and water coolers, so, it’s not necessarily only for the Brita pitcher.
How To Clean A Brita Pitcher
Much is not required cleaning a Brita pitcher; it is easy as washing any other kitchen dish, all you need is the share force of will, the awesome power of determination, and the chilling desire to take hygiene to the next level
Things You Will Need
- Sponge
- White vinegar
- Water
- Measuring cups
- Drying rack or a dish towel
- New filter
Steps for Cleaning a Brita pitcher.
- Disassemble the Pitcher: pour any water remaining inside the pitcher and disassemble the pitcher. You have to separate the special tank in the Brita filter. If you haven’t changed the screen before, you have to do that. It is only proper hygiene to throw away the filter from time to time, because the filter could just be keeping the bacteria for you and other harmful substances, if you insist on keeping the screen, it is not imperative to wash the screen all you have to do is. Rinse with warm water and place it on a clean surface to prevent it from being contaminated.
Disassembling a Brita filter might be a bit tricky when you want to clean the inside. It is crucial to fill the bottom with water so that the base is heavy, keep it inverted. The weight of the water should pop the plastic inserted pop out.
The type of water filter you buy is going to determine how easy disassembling is going to be. For example, the zero water pitcher is quite popular because of the ease it takes washing them.
- Wash: you have put the pitcher apart to clean them. Pour out some dish soap in warm water to produce a cleaning solution. Drench the lid and the reservoir for between thirty minutes to one hour. Then scrub each of the independent pieces until you are satisfied that they are clean, and you hear the squeak.
- Note: that you can as well choose to wash the reservoir with a mild detergent and warm water ending with a gentle dry with a soft towel.
- Scrape the Mildew: after cleaning the pieces, it is virtually impossible for the mildew to be felt, especially when you clean them thoroughly. If you still there might be mold left, mix white vinegar (a teaspoon) with water (a cup) in a bowl then place the pieces in this solution and scrub.
- Rinse and Dry: when you have felt for no mildew, and you can hear it squeak. Rinse both the reservoir and the lid in water; do this thoroughly. Place alternatively in lukewarm water. Then keep them to air dry; you have to make sure every part is thoroughly dry before you place them back together, to avoid mildew growing in the pitcher. It is recommended you keep the pieces on the rack. You can also set the part upturned on the dishtowel.
- Preparing the new Filter: as the pitcher is left in the open to dry, it is time to prepare the new screen for now. Based on the brand of the Brita pitcher you are using, there might be no need to soak the Brita filter before washing. The newer versions of Brita filter do not require for you to soak before wash like the older version. So before washing, you have to check the instructions that come with your particular brand of Brita filter.
- Putting the Pitcher Together: the pitcher is dry, and the screen is ready, this is the time to reassemble the pitcher back together. Pour water to the brim of the pitcher and disperse after to get rid of any remaining carbon dust. This should be repeated twice at least. Make sure you see that the water is clear before you stop this means that the water is carbon-free. The brand of Brita pitcher you are using determines if you have to go through any additional steps reassembling the pitcher together.
Additional Tips
Washing things with hedges and crevices mean that some parts of those things are hard to wash.
To get to crevices in the Brita pitcher. All you have to do is use a new toothbrush to clean those hard to get parts. It is recommended to hold on to that toothbrush as your special Brita pitcher crevices cleaner.
If the pitcher has green mold underneath or at the bottom, please do not use bleach, when bleach is consumed, there are adverse effects. It is recommended that you change that Brita filter and throw the green mold filter away if you cannot use the steps above to properly clean the filter
As earlier said, it is imperative to change the standard Brita pitcher filter after two months equivalent to forty gallons in standard usage. And six months for the variant adapted for long-lasting usage which is equal to 120 gallons in standard usage.
Making the solution is going to make it easier to clean rather than pouring it directly into the Brita pitcher, which can make it harder to get the soap out.
Brita Longlast Everyday Water Filter Pitcher, Large 10 Cup 1 Count, White
- This BPA-free Everyday water pitcher is easy to fill, fits in most fridges and can hold 10 cups of water, enough to fill 3 24-ounce reusable water bottles
- This space efficient Brita pitcher fits perfectly on refrigerator shelves, features an easy-fill locking lid and is easy to pour; Height 10.47"; Width 5.59"; Length/Depth 10.94"; Weight 2.29 pounds
- Get great tasting water without the waste*; by switching to Brita Longlast+, you can save money and replace 1,800 single-use plastic water bottles* a year
- Reduce 99% lead, Chlorine (taste and odor), Cadmium, Mercury, Benzene, Asbestos, and more*, while an electronic indicator makes filter reminders effortless
- Longlast+ filters are compatible with all Brita pitchers and dispensers except Stream; replace the Brita Longlast+ water filter 2x a year* (about every 6 months)
Mildews and molds
Most people cannot tell the difference between mold and mildew because they are ubiquitous bacteria which somehow finds its way into our homes—unwanted and had to get rid of permanently. They easily thrive in most environment. One can quickly call them the apex species. They spread easily in various conducive surfaces, which makes them hard to get rid of. These harmful micro-organisms are hard to get rid of and are known to damage large areas of one’s property rapidly. They provide various health problems and even structural damage to buildings and spaces. While mold and mildews share so many features, they pose multiple ranges of risks and respond differently to treatments trying to get rid of.
In order for our cleaning to be efficient and effective, it is good to know about this fungi creeps.
You have finished cleaning. However, you still ask your question what is this slimy thing I just cleaned off? MILDEW OR MOLD!
What Is the Significant Difference?
Mildews are a specific kind of mold. Molds, on the other hand, are fungi which consist of a multiplied identical nucleus, they grow in different colors from black to green patches. They are known to penetrate under surfaces of the material in which they have camped. Mildews grow on a flat surface and remain there until it is removed, so you can say they can easily be removed. The various places to find molds range from a permanent structure like walls and cracks. They can also be found on food. Mildews are usually found on damp surfaces, from paper to plastic and even organic matters located in your home. You can call this tiny fungi weeds!
Common Mildew Types
Plants die from mildew infestation they are classified as powdery and downy mildew
- The powdery mildew affects flowery plants and can appear as white, and some other times they can be gray patterned which gradually grow brown or black as long as the fungus grows
- The downy mildew is found mostly in agricultural products like grapes and potatoes. It appears in various color. Typically, they can appear yellow as a start. The color is usually based on the surface in which they grow.
How to Prevent Mold and Mildew
In the various ways to prevent mold and mildew in your home, the most efficient way to keep your home free from mold and mildew is to keep all the surfaces in the house clean, dry and moisture-free. Maintain a humidity level that is not above forty to fifty percent inside the house. You can use a dehumidifier to keep that atmosphere in the house. Have the heating and cooling systems in the house inspected regularly, try to ensure proper air circulation in the home fix leaks anywhere you find them in the house. Usually, it is appropriate that when you see any mildew-infected plants, you have to get them out of the house so as to prevent any form of mildew infestation
How to Clean Mildews
Mildews in surfaces can easily be cleaned by using the available cleaners for dishes; there are available soaps that can be used to treat mildews. White vinegar should help rid your house from mildews.
I know molds are not what you want growing on your Brita pitcher, left any longer than can damage the appearance of your Brita. And also, the quality of water you might be drinking will definitely drop.
Finally, they say prevention is better than cure. Molds that form on your pitcher can be a beacon for other bacterial to form. the molds are themselves equally harmful so you want to keep yourself in the safe
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