How To Clean a Brita Pitcher

You’d think your Brita pitcher wouldn’t get dirty because all it does it hold nice, clean water in the bacteria-averse environment of the refrigerator. But like anything else that’s constantly exposed to water and frequently exposed to manhandling, it gets dirty.

The one I just pulled out of my fridge has some smudges on the exterior — nothing egregious — and (ack) mildew inside the lid opening.

So while Brita pitchers don’t need as much care as other kitchen tools, they need a nice deep-clean once in a while. Here’s what to do.

• Dish soap
• Sponge
• White vinegar
• Water
• Measuring cup
• Dish towel or drying rack
• New filter

1. Take the pitcher apart: Pour out any water, remove the filter, and take the pitcher apart to separate the lid and reservoir. Discard the filter (you should be doing this every two to six months, anyway).
2. Wash the pieces: Scrub the lid and reservoir with dish soap and warm water.
3. Attack the mildew: If you still have mildewy bits, make a mixture of one teaspoon white vinegar to one cup of water. Dip your sponge into the mixture, then use it to scrub off the mildew.
4. Rinse and dry: Rinse the lid and reservoir with clean water, then set upside down on a dish towel or drying rack to air-dry.
5. Prep the new filter: In the meantime, follow your pitcher model’s instructions to prep the new filter (newer Brita models don’t need the full pre-soak that old ones used to require).
6. Reassemble the pitcher: Put the pieces back together again and follow your pitcher’s instructions for discarding the first three or so pitchers of water until you no longer see carbon dust in the water.

• Don’t have a Brita? This method will work for any kind of water-purifying pitcher you have in your kitchen.