# How often should I wash my Brita filter pitcher?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-i-wash-my-brita-filter-pitcher/583516
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [May 28, 2011, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-i-wash-my-brita-filter-pitcher/583516 "2011-05-28T02:28:55Z")
**Posts on this page:** 10
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)
#### Post date: [May 28, 2011, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-i-wash-my-brita-filter-pitcher/583516/1 "2011-05-28T02:28:55Z")
I change out the filter every three months. But I’m at six months now with the pitcher.
I keep the thing in the fridge all the time, except when pouring water or filling the reservoir.
So basically the entire usage of the pitcher is this: Fridge -\> remove to pour a glass of water -\> refill reservoir -\> back into fridge. Whole process is no more than two minutes.
I don’t notice any funny smells or see any scumming or growth. And the water still tastes great.
How often should you wash these things?
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### Author:  [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)
#### Post date: [May 28, 2011, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-i-wash-my-brita-filter-pitcher/583516/2 "2011-05-28T03:59:39Z")
I change the filter in mine every 90 days. At that time I run the pitcher, cover, and insert through the dishwasher. (top rack)
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### Author:  [@Jormungandr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jormungandr)
#### Post date: [May 28, 2011, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-i-wash-my-brita-filter-pitcher/583516/3 "2011-05-28T09:55:53Z")
When I had one and forgot when I last replaced the filter, I did it when I started seeing those little black pellets.
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### Author:  [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)
#### Post date: [May 28, 2011, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-i-wash-my-brita-filter-pitcher/583516/4 "2011-05-28T17:37:20Z")
Why not just do it when you change the filter?
Joe
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### Author:  [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)
#### Post date: [May 28, 2011, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-i-wash-my-brita-filter-pitcher/583516/5 "2011-05-28T20:00:55Z")
I wait to change the filter till it seems to take too long to filter. Then I wash the reservoir and change the filter. Or in three months in any case.
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### Author:  [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)
#### Post date: [May 29, 2011, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-i-wash-my-brita-filter-pitcher/583516/6 "2011-05-29T02:09:48Z")
After about two months, I change the filter. That’s when I give it a good washing. I can see mold starting to develop in the upper chamber at times.
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### Author:  [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)
#### Post date: [May 29, 2011, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-i-wash-my-brita-filter-pitcher/583516/7 "2011-05-29T03:46:41Z")
I wash it when I change the filter (8 weeks + procrastination). I keep it in the kitchen, where it develops a film of oil from cooking (hood doesn’t work).
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### Author:  [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)
#### Post date: [May 29, 2011, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-i-wash-my-brita-filter-pitcher/583516/8 "2011-05-29T04:05:36Z")
About every 3-5 months. I disassemble the entire thing and go over it good with a green scrubbing pad with Dawn to remove any calcium deposits and stuff like that, then a very thorough rinse before it gets put back together and refilled.
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### Author:  [@stretch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stretch)
#### Post date: [May 29, 2011, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-i-wash-my-brita-filter-pitcher/583516/9 "2011-05-29T18:57:53Z")
I was mine every time I change the filter. I notice that the inside of the pitcher feels slightly slimy after 3 months of filtering water.
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### Author:  [@Lionne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionne)
#### Post date: [June 2, 2011, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-i-wash-my-brita-filter-pitcher/583516/10 "2011-06-02T18:39:57Z")
Considering I’ve had mine for over a year and I’ve never washed it…seems about time now.