How to Reuse a Polypropylene Water Filter

A pitcher water-filtration system reduces or eliminates impurities in your home drinking water. Most of these systems use a polypropylene filter filled with activated carbon. The activated carbon attracts and traps carbon-based impurities and prevents them from passing through the system along with your drinking water. The polypropylene filter does not last indefinitely. Instead of paying to replace your filter, you may choose to reuse the filter by replacing the active carbon found inside.

Utility knife
Measuring tape
Large bowl
Chlorine bleach
Activated carbon
Plastic funnel
1/2-inch polyethylene plug
Needle

Instructions

- 1
  Use a utility knife to cut slits radiating out from the center in the top of the water filter. In most filters, you will see small cuts already there that allow water to flow through the filter; they can be used as a starting point.
- 2
  Pour out the canister contents through the slits and discard.
- 3
  Use your utility knife to turn the slits you cut in Step 1 into a hole 1/2 inch in diameter.
- 4
  Create a solution of eight drops of bleach per 1 gallon of water in a large bowl. Soak the filter canister in the solution to kill any remaining bacteria. Rinse well after soaking.
- 5
  Fill the canister with activated carbon using a plastic funnel, leaving room at the top for the plug.
- 6
  Plug the hole with the polyethylene plug. Heat a needle and use it to poke six to 10 small holes in the dome area on the top of the filter canister to allow water to flow through.

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