How come my Britta is growing pond scum?
February 4, 2007 12:27 PM Subscribe
Why is there algae growing in my Britta?
Every six months or so for the last two years, my Britta pitcher starts to grow a green film at the bottom. I bleach it and scrub it out and continue using it. But what's up with that? Is my water (in Los Angeles) not sufficiently chlorinated?
Every six months or so for the last two years, my Britta pitcher starts to grow a green film at the bottom. I bleach it and scrub it out and continue using it. But what's up with that? Is my water (in Los Angeles) not sufficiently chlorinated?
The Britta removes chlorine from the water.
Don't keep it in the sun, that will solve the problem.
posted by yohko at 12:33 PM on February 4, 2007
Don't keep it in the sun, that will solve the problem.
posted by yohko at 12:33 PM on February 4, 2007
Do you wash your pitcher regularly? I hope you don't leave it for six months between washings.
posted by croutonsupafreak at 1:07 PM on February 4, 2007
posted by croutonsupafreak at 1:07 PM on February 4, 2007
Algae will grow under fluorescent light, too. Try keeping the britta in the fridge.
posted by oneirodynia at 1:16 PM on February 4, 2007
posted by oneirodynia at 1:16 PM on February 4, 2007
The instructions say to thoroughly clean the pitcher with warm water and soap every time you change the filter. You should change the filter between every month and every other month, depending on usage. It should never go a whole six months without cleaning as directed, unless it's empty and unused.
posted by ardgedee at 1:46 PM on February 4, 2007
posted by ardgedee at 1:46 PM on February 4, 2007
it could be bacterial growth. algae and bacteria can look similar, at least to the human eye.
posted by brandz at 1:47 PM on February 4, 2007
posted by brandz at 1:47 PM on February 4, 2007
Mine did the same when I washed it by hand, even though I used hot water and good soap. Now that I wash it in a dishwasher, it isn't a problem.
posted by The corpse in the library at 2:43 PM on February 4, 2007
posted by The corpse in the library at 2:43 PM on February 4, 2007
Response by poster: You're all probably right! We'll find out in about six months.
Frankly, I only wash it when it looks off. It's not culture medium, I seriously doubt anything that gets in there from the air or water is going to cause any harm, including whatever is making it green.
posted by mzurer at 7:07 PM on February 4, 2007
Frankly, I only wash it when it looks off. It's not culture medium, I seriously doubt anything that gets in there from the air or water is going to cause any harm, including whatever is making it green.
posted by mzurer at 7:07 PM on February 4, 2007
This thread is closed to new comments.
Do you leave the thing out in the sunlight, or put it in the fridge?
posted by Good Brain at 12:32 PM on February 4, 2007