No-one wants to drink water that’s full of impurities, which is why filter jugs have become such a popular product. But, just how effective are they? Do they really work?
Those are the very questions that this article is going to answer, focusing specifically on Brita filters.
And as a bonus, we’ll also cover everything else you need to know along the way, including how they work, where to get one from, and what are the most popular alternatives.
Please feel free to scroll ahead to any section that jumps out at you. Here goes…
We’ll kick things off with a few basics…
About Brita And Brita Filters
Brita is a global brand that has been in the business for over 50 years. They are best known for their water filter pitchers, but they also produce water filter faucet systems as well.
The water filter pitchers are typically designed to fit within the door of a refrigerator, and they feature a dedicated water filter to be replaced every two months or so.
And it’s a good moneymaker for Brita, because it requires customers to make frequent repeat purchases, since the brand has such high standing and people are generally reluctant to switch to a cheaper, less established brand.
However, despite being such a good moneymaker for Brita, it can be quite the money saver for customers who would otherwise spend countless dollars on plastic bottles of water, which is bad for the environment.
How Does A Standard Brita Filter Work?
How To Use A Brita Filter
Brita filters are very easy to use. You simply flush the filter with a little water for 15 seconds, insert it into position in the position, and fill the pitcher with water from the faucet.
The filter ensures that only filtered water is able to pass through the filter and reach the reservoir underneath, and it is only this water that can be poured from the spout.
How A Brita Filter Works
The weight of the water in the upper part of the pitcher pushes water through the ion exchange filter. There is a nonwoven material in the material together with a tightly bound carbon block.
The nonwoven element reduces any sediment that could pass through to the water underneath, while the carbon block traps smaller particles.
What Impurities Does A Standard Brita Filter Remove?
Brita filters certainly do reduce the amount of contaminants that can pass through to your drinking water. Here follows a list of contaminants that Brita filters do filter from your drinking water:
Cadmium
Copper
Chlorine
Mercury
And by filtering these 4 contaminants from your drinking water, this not only reduces the likelihood of mercury poisoning, but also improves both the taste and the odor of your drinking water through the removal of chlorine.
Therefore, using a Brita filter produces much purer drinking water than that supplied by your water provider. But that’s not the full story…
What A Standard Brita Filter Doesn’t Do
While it is well established that Brita filters do in fact remove some major known contaminants from your water, it isn’t actually classified as a water purifier…
Kill Off Microorganisms Such As Bacteria
Brita filters do NOT actually kill any microorganisms that may or may not be in your water, such as bacteria.
And in fact, the reason behind being told to replace the filters on a regular or frequent basis is because the filter can become a breeding ground for microorganisms such as bacteria.
Reduce Water Hardness
Water hardness is caused by the presence of calcium ions, and to a lesser extent, magnesium, iron, and manganese.
However, none of the above-mentioned chemicals are listed in the 4 chemicals that a standard Brita filter is designed to remove. Therefore, it is safe to conclude that Brita filters do not adequately reduce water hardness and make hard water softer.
Kill Off Algae
If you leave your pitcher out in direct sunlight, the water in the pitcher may start to turn green, blue-green, or reddish-brown, caused by the growth of algae in the water.
How Effective Is A Standard Brita Filter?
Brita filters do exactly what Brita says they will do. They filter out certain contaminants, but they are not intended for use with water that’s microbiologically unsafe. They do not kill off microbes such as bacteria.
My Experience With A Standard Brita Filter Jug
I got myself a Brita filter jug that fit inside the door of my refrigerator. The water tasted cool and fresh for about a month before it became apparent that a change of filter was required.
I’m happy with it and have decided to continue using it because I love the taste and it saves me from overspending on bottles of water which just clutter up the place.
Where Can You Get A Brita Filter?
If you don’t have time to head out to the store for your Briter filter pitcher, you can simply order one online and have it delivered to your door. Here follows links to some Brita filter retailers:
What Is The Best Alternative To Standard Brita Filters?
Brita has now released an alternative to their standard filter called Longlast. It is certified for filtering more contaminants, and it is rated to last three times longer.
In addition to removing the contaminants Cadmium, Copper, Chlorine, and Mercury, the Brita Longlast filter will remove 99% of lead in water, Benzene, Asbestos and much more.
It’s important to note at this point, however, that the Brita Longlast filters are not intended to be used with water that’s microbiologically unsafe, which suggests that it does not kill off microorganisms such as bacteria.
You can purchase one from Amazon.com through this link.
Wrap Up
A filter of any sort is just that, a filter. Filters are designed to filter out certain contaminants, rather than purify water per se. Brita filters remain one of the world’s best water filters, but their best offering is the Longlast.
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