How Long Do Brita Filters Last?

The more you use your Brita filter, the sooner you are going to need to replace it. This will depend on how much water you filter through your Brita filter, and what type of filter you are using.

A Brita filter will filter out harmful chemicals and contaminants, along with larger particles that are in your water. As your Brita filter is worn out, it will not work as well in filtering out the nasty stuff, so you want to replace it when the time comes, keeping your water fresh and clean.

How Long Do Brita Filters Last? A Look At The Numbers.

As I mentioned above, it depends on how much water is filtered, but there are standard timeframes based on standard usage. Below are the most common types of Brita filters and when you should expect to change them.

Standard Brita Filter: 40 gallons or every 2 months.
Longlast+ Brita Filter: 120 gallons or every 6 months.
Brita Steam Filter: 40 gallons or every 2 months.
Brita Faucet filter: 100 gallons or every 4 months.
Brita Bottle Filter: 40 gallons or every 2 months.

If you can gauge how much water you are using, you will know exactly when to change the filter. If not, change it out when it has been used for the amount of time shown above.

Signs That You Need To Replace Your Brita Filter

The guide above is just that: a guide. When it comes to deciding when to change your Brita filter, there are some signs to look for:

Taste: If you notice a funny taste in your drinking water, then the filter is not doing its job. If you have been using the filter for a while, it is probably time to change it.
Smell: Just like with taste, if you smell anything funny, check the filter.
Sight: If the water is cloudy or contaminated in any other way, the filter is not doing its job.
Clogged: If you can’t fill your container or if the container fills slowly through the filter, it is time to change it.
Algae: If there is algae in the water filter, swap it immediately. The same goes for mold.

How Do I Change My Brita Filter?

When it does come time to change your Brita filter, the process is a relatively easy one. Follow our step-by-step guide for changing a regular filter¹:

Remove the old filter.
Flush the new filter with water for 15 seconds.
Line up the filter groove.
Insert the Brita filter.
Fill up the water pitcher.
Discard the water (or use it to water plants).
Fill the pitcher 2 more times.
If there are carbon particles in the water, fill and discard until there are no more.
Enjoy your filtered water.

This is how to change your Brita filter easily.

How To Discard Your Brita Water Filter

Once you have replaced your old Brita filter, you should not just discard the old one. If placed in regular garbage, they will go to the landfill, and they will not be accepted in most regular recycling bins.

Thankfully, Brita has partnered with TerraCyle to recycle old filters.

If you navigate to the recycling page on the TerraCycle website, you will find an option to have a shipping label sent to you free of charge. You will then be able to send the filter for free to be recycled.

Make sure to dry the filter before you send it. Place the filter in an appropriate shipping container and attach the shipping label. It is as easy as that.

Can I Clean My Brita Filter?

You have figured out how long Brita filters last, and you are concerned that yours should be lasting longer. Well, you can clean your Brita filters if you find that they are not working as they should, and that might solve your problem.

This really only works if there are large particles clogging up the filter. If the filter looks clean and it is not working, it is probably best just to replace it.

To wash the filter, remove it from the container (with clean hands), and rinse it under some warm water. After rinsing, place the filter on a clean towel to dry.

After cleaning the filter, replace it and run some water through it before you use it.

Why You Should Replace Your Brita Filter

You might not notice that your water tastes funny, or there might not be any funny smells, but that does not mean that you should put off replacing your Brita filter. Most of the work that your filter does goes unseen.

Many water sources contain bacteria and other contaminants, and even if your water comes from a fresh water source, it might still have algae in it. Some of this you can taste, and some of it you cannot.

If you do not change your filter regularly, it will not retain the ability to filter out these pollutants.

Some older houses also have copper pipes, and the copper particles can get into the water supply. There are too many potential contaminants to list them all in this article, but you can rest easy if you have a filter to filter them out.

Brita Filter Tips & Tricks

Getting the best out of your Brita filter is mainly about changing the filter when it needs to be changed, but there are other things that you can do to keep your Brita filter working at optimum levels.

As you might guess, we always recommend replacing the filter when needed.
Keep your water pitcher in a cool, shaded area to avoid any algae or mold growth.
Make sure the filter is completely dry if it is being stored.
Do not pass extremely hot water through the filter.
Use only BPA pitchers with the filter.
Always install the correct size of Brita filter.
Use the filter for water only.
Replace the filter if it is ever damaged