Due to the controversy regarding the disposal of bottled water and how they are affecting the environment negatively, numerous people have made conscious decisions to search for better alternatives. The increased production of plastic trash, with only a small percentage that gets recycled, is littering our cities, oceans, and waterways. It’s also causing health problems in both animals and humans. Opting for environmentally friendly techniques isn’t the only reason why RO purified water is much better than bottled water. These filters offer affordability and a level of purity that is incomparable. However, to maintain this level of purity, one must learn how to keep the Reverse Osmosis system clean and sanitized. Most filters are replaced every 12 months. Appropriate sanitation procedures should be carried to ensure that your system is in its best condition. Here are some helpful tips that you can follow to properly clean the system:

When To Change The System And When To Clean It?

From the water taste, color, or any changes that might happen, you will be able to decide on the best time to clean your osmosis filter system. Make sure that you never postpone cleaning the system as this can be dangerous to your health. The interval that you decide on should be a minimum of 3 months.

Periodic maintenance also includes the replacement of prefilters, post-filters, and the RO membrane. While pre filters should be changed every 6 to 12 months, post-filters need to be changed once a year. Hard water for the RO membrane should be changed every couple of years, and the soft water one needs to be only changed every 5 to 7 years.

Replacing carbon filters (or prefilters) once a year is essential to protect the membrane. Chlorine is usually filtered and reduced before it plays havoc with the membrane. If you live in an area with high chlorine rates, then it’s better to change the pre filters every six months.

Prepare What You Need And Identify The Pollutant

Before you proceed with your maintenance routine, you will need to buy all the needed replacement parts including RO membrane, filters, empty housings, or O-rings. Then, you should figure out the best cleaning fluid to use. Purchasing the wrong type of cleaning fluid, or one that is of low quality, will only lead to aggravating the contamination. Manufacturers usually provide the system’s manual along with a list of recommended cleaning products. However, you will need first to identify the pollutant to be able to choose the right type of cleaning fluid.

Helpful Tips To Keep In Mind

• You should remove filters from their original packaging before you decide on the time of replacement.
• Make sure to wash and sanitize your hand and the surrounding area to ensure its cleanliness from any dirt or debris. It’s even better to wear sanitary gloves.
• Before you proceed with your maintenance routine, you need to disconnect the system from the refrigerator or the icemaker line. You will also need to turn off the cold-water supply.

How To Clean And Sanitize The System

First, you must drain all the water from the system and storage tank before placing the RO faucet in a closed position. Then, you can discard old filters while making sure that you leave the filter housing off. Once the housing is empty from all the filters, you can sanitize using the cleaning fluid of your choice. After reconnecting the pre filter housing into the system, you can fill the tank with cold water with the sanitizing solution.

Make sure to check for any leaks while the system is filled with water. It’s also important to inspect the O-rings to decide whether they need to be replaced or not. If they don’t need changing yet you find them dried up, then you can use a water-based lubricant to solve this problem.

You should let the system set for about 10 minutes, unless you are using bleach, then you should give it at least thirty minutes. Then you can flush the water by turning on the RO faucet. After draining the system for a multiple of times until the bleach, or any cleaning fluid you used, is completely gone, then you can replace and reinstall all filters and the membrane.

Drinking clean water is essential for our well-being. Some prefer bottled water, while others prefer more environmentally friendly solutions that are also known to be of better quality. If you have an RO filter, then you should keep a regular maintenance routine in place. This way, you will ensure the purity of the water and boost the lifespan of your system.