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When it comes to drinking water, the thought of drinking from a contaminated pitcher can upset your stomach. That is why when using products like a Brita pitcher; you shouldn’t assume that you can get by with a dirty one.
These containers store clean water that is 100 percent free of bacteria. But it is bound to get dirty once it becomes a part of our daily lives.
So, it requires proper cleaning from time to time in order to prevent black mold in Brita pitcher. Before, I explain the cleaning process; let’s take a look at why there is black mold in the Brita pitcher.
Why There Is Black Mold in Brita Pitcher?
One of the most common causes of mold growth on a Brita pitcher is the lack of regular cleaning. Mold is a fungus that grows best in moist and dark environments.
Just like all fungus. It needs an organic medium to grow. So, if you don’t clean your Brita pitcher frequently, mold may start to grow on it. Your Brita pitcher can be especially vulnerable to mold if your water contains a high level of organic matter.
Also, mold can grow in the ideal environment when your Brita pitcher is in a dark and poorly ventilated space.
Before entering your water supply, tap water is usually chlorine-purified. But, the chlorine is removed by your Brita filter. This leaves the water vulnerable to future contamination.
If you don’t clean the filter and housing frequently organic matter will accumulate there, Mold is easily attracted to nooks and crannies like the filter housing area.
Also, the Brita bottle straw nozzle and the Brita pitcher spout are easy targets for mold. They gather dust and are susceptible to mold contamination.
Unpurified water is rich in organic matter that helps fungal growth. Brita pitchers are not made to get rid of these impurities. This organic matter gathers in the crannies of your pitchers and mold spores in the air stick to it and grow here.
Why There Is Mold on the Bottom of the Brita Filter?
Algae may thrive inside your Brita filter if you don’t clean it often, or if your water is not treated with chlorine.
When water is contaminated with algae, it will form a slimy green layer at the base and sides of the pitcher. It may also turn the water green. Bacteria and algae spores are found everywhere in the environment.
Bacteria are generally harmless till they get the right environment to grow, like the water filter. If you do not clean your Brita pitcher frequently, it becomes prone to algae growth.
The water in your pitcher may become contaminated with these spores if you leave it open or expose it to too much sunshine.
What is the Pink Mold in the Brita Pitcher?
If you have noticed your water filter is turning pink with some strange particles, you may be concerned your water is not safe to drink. Water filters and filtration systems develop a pink mold because of the bacteria Serratia Marcescens. These bacteria can contaminate water filter pitchers, dispensers, faucet filters, and bottles. They affect surfaces that are often moist and produce a pink color at room temperature. This is the major cause of pneumonia and bloodstream infections in hospitals worldwide.
Serratia marcescens thrives anywhere there are phosphorous or fatty substances. So, wherever there is water, dampness, and a lack of chlorine there is a possibility of this bacteria increasing and that includes your water filter. In fact, these bacteria need almost nothing to survive in these damp environments. The bacterium has a light pink color that can also be dark red.
Clean vs Dirty Brita filter
Clean Brita filters can be the solution to many issues. It’s not a good idea to entertain the notion that you can get by with a dirty filter, especially when it comes to a product like Brita pitcher.
Brita filter containers store 100 percent clean water and protect it from all bacteria. But once it gets dirty. It will not only be less effective but also unsafe for your health. So you are putting yourself at risk of drinking whatever contaminants are in the water and whatever is in that dirty filter.
A dirty water pitcher filter is ideal for breeding, bacteria can reach higher concentrations. This could make you sick if you keep using the dirty filter.
How to Clean Brita Pitcher to Prevent Black Mold?
Brita pitcher is one of the best methods to reduce many contaminants that come with drinking tap water.
This device is very easy to clean, the following are the ways you can clean your Brita pitcher to prevent black mold. Before I get to that, let’s take a look at the ways you can disassemble the device without destroying it.
- Put it on a clean surface after cleaning with warm water to avoid it becoming dirty
- Turn the vase over so the water fills the bottom and the base becomes heavy. Water should flush out the injected plastic.
- If the screen hasn’t been changed before, it needs to be.
- Rinse it with warm water and place it down on a clean surface to avoid contamination.
Pitcher Cleaning:
- Make a cleaning solution by mixing one tablespoon of dish soap and one cup of warm water.
- The cap and its reservoir should be soaked for at least 30 minutes in the solution.
- Clean each piece individually until a squeak cannot be heard and each piece is clean.
- The reservoir can also be washed with mild soap and warm water, followed by a gentle drying with a soft towel.
- Put the parts into a bowl with one cup of water and one teaspoon of white vinegar, and then scrub the parts with this mixture.
- The lid and the reservoir should both be carefully cleaned in water and dry to prevent bacterial growth again. Racks are recommended for storing the pieces. A dishtowel can also be set with the part upended.
Reassembling the Pitcher
Depending on the model you are using, you might need to soak the filter first. Unlike earlier models, the most recent Brita filters don’t always need to soak before being washed. Consult your cleaning directions on your filter to make sure the Brita filter is cleaned properly.
- Put the new filter into the filter housing area and replace all of the parts together.
- Disperse any residual carbon dust with the water when you fill the pitcher’s reservoir. Repeat the flushing process at least twice. When the water is clear, it means that there is no carbon in it and it can be reassembled.
How to Prevent Moldy Brita Filter?
The best way to prevent mold infestation in Brita filters is to maintain optimum hygiene and cleanliness.
To be more specific, it’s important to keep your device properly clean and moisture-free if you want to permanently remove mold from your Brita filter.
If you want to take it a step further, keep in mind that keeping your home room temperature between 40 and 50 degrees can also help reduce the likelihood of it mold-infested devices.
- White vinegar is a great option for removing mold that is growing on your device. Just a little bit can handle even the most difficult molds with ease. The following are other tips that can help prevent moldy Brita filters.
- Store your Brita pitcher in the refrigerator rather than in a dark place on the counter.
- Before handling the filter, wash your hands with soap and water. Avoid often touching the straw or spout because doing so can contaminate the device.
- Make sure you clean your Brita pitcher frequently, at least once a month.
- Avoid drinking directly from the pitcher.
- Ensure that the spout is completely closed after usage.
- Keep the unopened filter cartridges sealed in a cool, dry place.
- If your Brita product has mold, it can be a sign that your home has a bigger mold issue.
- To sanitize your home, consider hiring a professional cleaning service to disinfect your home.
Conclusion
As you can see, it is not easy to get rid of mold, especially black mold. They are harmful, and even mild exposure to them during the cleaning process can have serious effects on your health.
It is a misconception that your Brita pitcher won’t get dirty because all it does is hold pure, clean water in the bacteria-free refrigerator environment. But like everything else that is constantly exposed to water and frequently subjected to manual handling, a Brita pitcher can get dirty.
Remember, prevention is better than cure, and that is why you should maintain proper hygiene when it comes to keeping your device clean, most especially equipment like Brita Pitchers that store your drinking water.
Remember to clean your device regularly so it can effectively purify your drinking water. I hope that this post has been able to clear up any confusion you may have about how to clean and prevent black mold in Brita pitchers.
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