If your Pur water filter is clogged and water is barely flowing through, you’re not alone. A clogged filter is one of the most common issues Pur filter owners face, and it can happen with pitchers, faucet attachments, and fridge dispenser filters alike. If your PUR indicator light is acting up, check our guide on why your PUR water filter is blinking red after a filter change.
The good news is that unclogging your Pur water filter doesn’t require any special tools or expensive materials. With a few simple steps, you can get your filter flowing again and extend its useful life.
A clogged Pur water filter can be cleaned by shaking loose the debris, rinsing under running water for 5 to 8 minutes, and flushing with clean water. The process works for pitcher, faucet, and fridge filters. Always let the filter air dry before reinstalling.
Keep reading this detailed post and learn about the tips and tricks that can help you use your filter for a longer period. These methods provide you and your family with fresh and clean drinking water for as long as possible.
We understand that a clogged filter can be frustrating, especially when you just want a glass of clean water. But don’t worry because the solutions outlined in this guide are simple, fast, and don’t cost a dime.
We’ve posted all the easy ways of unclogging your filter, so read through to the end for the complete instructions.
What Is Actually Inside The Pur Water Filter?
Before you start cleaning the filter, you need to learn about what is actually inside the Pur water filter. Understanding the internal components will help you target the right areas during the cleaning process.
If you already know about what is inside, you can skip to the next section. For those who aren’t familiar, getting this knowledge first will make the cleaning process much more effective.
Getting things done on the first try and in the correct way is better than getting stuck in the kitchen with a filter that still doesn’t work. It’s a small filter, but it can make your life difficult in many ways if not properly maintained.
So take a moment to understand what you’re working with before you begin.
The Pur water filter is divided into three different sections:
- Crude sediment filter - it physically filters the water by removing large particles present in it. This is the first layer of defense against visible contaminants and debris in your water supply
- Carbon filter - it contains carbon granules and small Styrofoam balls. When water flows through this part of the filter, the carbon absorbs impurities and kills bacteria. The Styrofoam balls don’t help in purifying or filtering the water but they assist with the structure of the filter
- Pleated accordion-style filter - this also physically filters the water by filtering out finely sized particles. The inner layer of this section is non-porous but the pleated surface has tiny holes in it. That’s where the Styrofoam balls get stuck when the water flows down from the second to the third section
Understanding these three sections will help you target the right areas when cleaning your filter. Each section can accumulate different types of buildup over time, and knowing where the blockage is most likely to occur makes the cleaning process much more efficient.
Cleaning The Filter
How To Clean The Pur Water Filter In a Pitcher
When your water gets stuck in the pitcher and there’s no way out, the solution is straightforward. You can also learn how to change a PUR filter when cleaning is no longer enough. A hundred problems can arise from a clogged pitcher filter, but there’s one simple solution.
Follow these cleaning instructions and you’ll have your filter running smoothly again. The process is quick and requires nothing more than running water and a few minutes of your time.
Shake The Filter
Shake the filter to help dirt and debris stuck inside the carbon filter move down to the third section. This will help the water flow through the filter more smoothly without carrying any dirt with it. Give the filter several firm shakes to dislodge as much trapped sediment as possible.
Rinse The Pleated End
Take the filter and place the pleated end under your tap. Rinse it with water. Make sure that the water enters all the little openings or segments that you can see lining the bottom surface of the filter. Rotate the filter slowly while rinsing to make sure every pleat gets cleaned thoroughly.
Reassemble And Flush
Reassemble the units of the filter. Pass some water through the opening of the filter for five to eight minutes straight. Do this before you start using it to make sure you get pure drinking water that's safe to drink. This flushing step removes any remaining loose particles from the filter media.
Air Dry And Reinstall
Let the filter air dry before you reinstall it in your dispensers or pitchers. Wash your pitchers with mild dishwashing soap as well. A clean pitcher combined with a clean filter makes sure the best tasting and safest drinking water for your household.
That’s it for the pitcher filter. Your pitcher should now be flowing freely again.
If you follow these steps regularly, you can extend the life of your pitcher filter significantly. Many people throw away filters that could have been revived with a simple cleaning session.
How To Clean The Faucet Pur Water Filter
When the water flow from your faucet filter slows to a thin stream, or the red light starts to blink, it’s time for a cleaning.
The good days of strong water flow may seem like they have passed. But before you rush out to buy a new filter and search for pennies in your wallet, give cleaning a try first.
Everything has its own lifetime during which it functions properly. However, you can lengthen the life of your filter with proper maintenance.
The cleaning methods are inexpensive and you don’t need any special instruments or materials. For more cleaning techniques, see our guide on how to clean a carbon water filter.
You can stop searching for pennies in your wallet. It hurts to see money wasted when you can actually try saving it by maintaining what you already have.
Don’t let the panic fog your senses. The cleaning process for a faucet filter is slightly more involved than the pitcher filter, but it’s still very straightforward.
Follow these steps carefully and your faucet filter will be back to performing at its best.
Remove The Filter
Remove the filter from the tap by pressing the two buttons that you'll see on either side of its body. These release buttons allow you to detach the entire filter unit from the faucet quickly and easily.
Open The Casing
Twist the casing of the section of the filter through which you get the purified water. Take out the small filter box after applying a small amount of force. It may be hard to take out because it's clogged, but you don't need excessive force. Be patient and work the casing gently to avoid cracking the plastic housing.
Rinse Under Running Water
Place the filter under a tap of running water and clean it with fresh water for five to eight minutes. You may use a tiny brush to remove any dirt lining the pleated ends or holes on the surface. You may also soak it in a solution containing three parts water and one part vinegar. This solution will kill any bacteria and cleanse the filter properly.
Clean The Unpurified Side
Wash the section of the filter through which the unpurified water passes. Use a brush to clean the layer of dirt lining the openings. This side of the filter tends to accumulate the most visible buildup because it's the first point of contact with your tap water.
Open The Lever
Open the lever on the right or left side of the section to allow water to pass through the opening. Place this section under water for about five to eight minutes. This makes sure the internal chambers and passages are thoroughly flushed of any accumulated sediment and debris.
Reassemble And Test
Reassemble the parts of the filter and reinstall it back on your tap. Open the tap and allow the water to pass through it. If the light starts blinking green, you're good to go. However, let the water run through it for eight minutes before use to make sure any remaining cleaning solution or loosened debris has been fully flushed out.
Your faucet filter should now be flowing freely and providing clean water again. The entire cleaning process should take no more than 20 to 30 minutes from start to finish.
Of course, these tips also help save your money in the long run. A filter that’s maintained regularly will last longer than one that’s neglected until it stops working entirely.
How To Clean The Pur Water Filter In Your Fridge
If you’ve a Pur filter set in the dispenser inside your fridge and the water is barely coming out, the cleaning process is similar to the other filter types. Make sure you understand how well refrigerator water filters work to know when cleaning vs. replacement is the right call.
Drop by drop, your cup may eventually fill up, but that’s not how a properly functioning filter should work. If the flow has slowed to a trickle, it’s time to take action.
A clogged fridge filter isn’t just an inconvenience. If the filter isn’t properly cleaned, the water coming through may not be properly purified and safe to drink. Read about the dangers of not changing your refrigerator water filter to understand the health risks.
Nobody should risk getting infected by a disease from contaminated water.
Your life and health are important, and drinking contaminated water is a risk nobody should take. A countertop water filter is another convenient alternative if your fridge filter keeps clogging. The good news is that cleaning your fridge filter is just as simple as the other types.
You’ve purchased a filter, and if you won’t maintain and keep it in good condition, then who will? However, what is even more important is what methods you use in order to get the work done in the easiest manner.
Everyone prefers the efficient approach. That’s not something you should feel bad about.
You take the shortcut to save time and use it to get other tasks done or simply enjoy your free time.
The cleaning methods are the same principles applied to any Pur filter type. Follow these steps carefully to restore your fridge filter to working condition.
Remove And Clean
After taking out the filter from the fridge, remove the dirt and debris collected in it. Throw the waste and impure materials away. Make sure to unclog your filter properly so that this dirt doesn't come back with your water when you reinstall. Pay special attention to any buildup around the connection points.
Soak The Filter
Soak the filter in water for five to eight minutes. Make sure that you don't use any hazardous chemical cleaners to make a cleaning solution. Plain water works well, but if you want extra cleaning power, a mild vinegar and water solution is safe to use. Just make sure to rinse thoroughly afterward.
Clean The Dispenser
Properly clean the dispenser and the opening passage through which the water passes with mild dishwashing soap. This will check that you get pure water with no germs or dirt in it. Take this opportunity to wipe down the entire dispenser area, including any nozzles and drip trays.
Flush And Reinstall
Pass some water through the filter for five to eight minutes. Make sure that you do this before you reinstall the filter back to the dispenser. This final flush removes any remaining loose particles and helps with the first glass of water you pour will be clean and fresh.
We know that cleaning isn’t the most exciting activity, but you’re saving your time and your money by doing it. A few minutes of maintenance can extend your filter’s life by weeks or even months. If you’re dealing with stubborn blockages, our guide on getting a stuck water filter out may also help.
Why Should You Buy a Filter?
If you’re living in an area where the water is impure or you don’t trust the water companies selling bottled water, you should buy a filter for safe and healthy drinking. Consider a point of use water filter for targeted purification.
A filter helps remove all the dirt, debris, and eliminates dangerous bacteria that may cause numerous diseases. For example, the right filter can even remove E. coli from your water. It helps make the water fit and suitable to drink and use.
As we strongly believe, if you want to have a healthy lifestyle, everything that’s essential should come in its purest form. Do you not think that everyone should live a healthy and happy life?
Filters also reduce the risk of developing water-borne diseases and maintain the right TDS levels without adding or taking something out of the water. Understanding what filtered water is helps you appreciate these benefits. Total dissolved solids are an important measure of water quality, and a good filter keeps these levels in the safe range.
Indeed, you’ve to change the filters every two or three months. Explore the different water filter cartridge types to find the best replacement for your needs. You can’t stop a filter from wearing out eventually, but you can try to lengthen its life so that you don’t waste time and money when it’s not necessary.
The purpose of this guide is to help you achieve that goal and save your money along the way. Look around and you’ll find people who don’t have access to clean drinking water.
They spend days with parched throats and dry mouths and limited options for safe hydration.
Be grateful for what you’ve. If you’re fortunate enough to enjoy the facility of clean water and you don’t face major difficulties, then maintaining your filter is a small effort for a big benefit.
What is better? Watching your children grow healthy and strong, or taking unnecessary risks with contaminated water?
The choice is clear, and we’ve made things straightforward for you.
Providing your family with clean, safe drinking water is always worth the time investment. A small amount of regular maintenance goes a long way toward keeping your family healthy and your wallet happy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Clean it whenever the water flow starts slowing down or the indicator light goes red. Regular cleaning can stretch your filter's life, but at some point, usually around 2 to 3 months, it'll need a full replacement no matter how well you maintain it.
Yes, a three-to-one water and vinegar soak works well. The vinegar kills bacteria and helps break down buildup. Just make sure you flush the filter really well with clean water afterward, or you might notice a vinegar taste in your next glass.
If it's been more than 6 months, or if cleaning doesn't bring the flow back, it's time for a new one. There's a point where no amount of rinsing will restore a worn-out filter to full effectiveness.
Nothing special at all. A small brush helps clean the pleated ends and surface holes. Mild dish soap is fine for the pitcher or dispenser, but keep harsh chemical cleaners away from the filter itself since those can damage the carbon inside.
Final Thoughts
After about 6 months of heavy use, even a well-maintained filter needs replacing. There's no magic formula for how long yours will last since it depends on your water quality and daily usage. Households with hard or heavily contaminated water will go through filters faster.
The main thing is to pay attention to the signs. Slower flow, a change in taste, or a blinking red light all mean it's time to act. A quick cleaning session can often buy you more time before a full replacement is needed.
Regular maintenance is the difference between getting 2 months out of a filter and stretching it to 3 or 4. It's a small investment of time that saves real money in the long run.
