7 Steps DIY Method to Clean Faucet Water Filter

Faucet water filters are one of the essential household appliances. Its importance is understood to people who get contaminated water in their taps. A faucet water filter helps you get pure and healthy water for drinking, cooking, and other purposes.

Either you are using a faucet water filter in your washroom or your kitchen, you need to make sure that it is properly clean, and by cleaning, we do not mean just wiping the dust off from the outer surface, we intend to clean it thoroughly from inside and outside.

In this article, we will walk you through all the steps you need to know to clean your faucet water filter by yourself. After you are done, you will end up saving a lot of money and getting better results than professionals because you will clean your water filters with love and care.

Method to Clean Faucet Water Filter

Step 1: Shutting off the Water Supply

First of all, you need to shut off the water supply to your filter. Most filters come with a water liver. If the liver is parallel to the water pipe, the water is on. When it is perpendicular or forms an angle of 90 degrees, it is turned off. If your water filter has a pressurized cabin, depressurize it from the respective button/valve.

Step 2: Opening the Bolts

Now you need to open all the bolts connecting the filter and water supply. Make sure you place a rag underneath your working area to catch all the spills and any nuts or bolts. You can also place a small deep tray for this purpose.

Step 3: Taking the Filter Out

The next thing to do is to take the filter out. You can clean carbon and synthetic fiber filters. For paper filters, you will need a replacement as they will shatter and tear if you try to clean them. You will need your house wrench to open the filter housing, or you may need the specific plastic wrench that came along the filter when you bought it. Some filters may come with plastic netting. This is particularly true for carbon filters. You can use paper cutters to cut the netting and then remove it. Slice the netting around the top and at the bottom, leave a small strip of netting attached to make it easier to keep track.

Step 4: Washing the Filter

Now you have the filter in your hand, wash down the carbon filters with clean water with fast pressure. You will have to unroll the paper, spray both sides and the carbine underneath and make sure you don’t end up losing any parts. If you have a pleated filter, you can place it in a sink and use high pressure with water spray to clean off all the debris and dirt.

Step 5: Soaking the Filter

Soaking the filter is necessary as it brings out all the bacteria, dirt, sediment or any other contaminants attached to it. For carbon filters, prepare a solution of water and beach by adding one gallon of water and one tablespoon of bleach, soak the filter for 5 minutes in it, and then use a soft brush to wipe off the entire surface. Make sure you wipe it off gently. Place the filter back for 5-10 minutes in the bleach water solution. For pleated filters, you can dip it in a mixture of oxalic acid for 20 minutes only after you have placed it back in the housing. Oxalic acid is available easily, or you can make it by mixing powdered oxalic acid with water. One gallon of water would require 62.5 grams of powdered oxalic acid. Make sure you rinse the pleated filter thoroughly and for at least 2-3 minutes to ensure that all the acid comes off.

Step 6: Preparing the Filter

Once you are done with cleaning the filters, it is time to prepare the filters now. For carbon filters, roll the paper back tightly using all your force. You can use zip ties to hold the paper in its place. For additional cleaning with pleated filters, add ½ ounce of bleach in a cup of water and pour it in the housing before inserting the filter. It kills any remaining bacteria in the filter.

Step 7: Putting Everything Back in the Place

Once you are done with all the steps mentioned above, you can place everything back precisely in the same way you took it apart. Make sure you tighten all the nuts and bolts. If you have used bleach, use the valve bypass to push the water directly to your pipes. Run the bleach out by turning on a hot water faucet in your house; now turn on the cold water to ensure that all the bleach is out from the filter. Please keep in mind that you must run your taps for 10-20 minutes after cleaning the filters.

Step 8: Clean the Faucet

If you have a small net on the head of your faucet, remove it and clean it as well. A lot of sediments gather there and slow the flow rate.

How to know that your filter is not Working Properly?

If you notice the following signs in your tap water, it is time to clean your water filter.

Slow Flow Rate –If the water flow rate is decreasing as compared to the time when you installed the filter, it is time to clean your filter. Make sure you check the supply pressure from the main pipe; a slow flow rate may happen due to a decrease in pressure from the back end.

Bad Water Quality –If you notice that water quality has decreased and you are noticing a change in your water taste and smell, it is probably due to a dirty water filter. You may also see cloudy water from your taps. All these signs are giving you a hint that the time to clean/replace the water filter is here.

The Indicator Light –If your water filter has an indicator light, it may turn on. Usually, it is a reminder to change/replace the filter, but a cleaned water filter can work for more time, and the light goes off as well.

Noise –A dirty filter may work more loudly as compared to a clean filter. It has to work more to purify water. If you notice more noise than usual, it is time for cleaning.

Final Word