Backwash your filter after each outing, when your flow rate begins to diminish, before prolonged storage, and when you are ready to start using your filter again. Backwashing your filter after storage is a great way to re-wet the filter fibers and restore the flow rate before use. We would recommend sanitizing occasionally, depending on how often you use, or if your filter has picked up any unpleasant smells or tastes as well as prior to storing.

If the filter is slow or blocked, soak the filter in hot water (not to exceed 135 F) for about an hour to loosen up any residual particulate built up in the filter fibers and then backflush several times with hot water as hard as possible. The trick to a successful backwashing is to be very forceful with the process.

Water will always take the path of least resistance, so in order to fully flush out the filter and restore its flow rate, make sure you are exerting as much pressure as you can, especially during the first couple of passes. If your flow rate is slow, your water source might be mineral rich, so we would suggest soaking it in plain white vinegar for an hour or more, and then repeating the process with hot water backflushes.

To sanitize the filter, we'd recommend using a weak bleach solution (one pouch capful of bleach per Liter of water). Slosh the weak bleach solution around in your pouch and run it through the filter. After the pouch and filter have been sanitized, let the filter sit upright for a few hours. Make sure to store the filter upright in a plastic bag or glass jar (with sufficient ventilation) so water can continue to seep out before storing the filter in a cool/dry location away from direct sun exposure.