As you know, drinking clean water is a huge deal. Nowadays, it’s possible to get clean drinking water right at home, practically for free, thanks to a great invention known as LifeStraw. LifeStraw is a small cheap filtration device that you can hang around your neck like a necklace to provide you with filtered water wherever you go. There might be no shelf life for an unused LifeStraw. However, once you use the product, you should follow their long-term storage and maintenance instructions to preserve every filter’s longevity. Therefore, you should replace the carbon filter once every two months if you use the device regularly.
How Long Can A LifeStraw Last?
The shelf life of LifeStraw depends on the frequency of use. It can last around two months before you need to replace the filter. The overall lifespan of the device primarily depends on the amount of water to be filtered and how often you need to filter it. You can use an unused LifeStraw for years if it has been in storage and never opened.
LifeStraw Personal will last you forty days of 264 gallons if you use it daily to drink water. It would help if you replaced the replacement filters after filtering about 1000 liters of water (approximately 264 gallons) which is a good thing considering that the device will purify an average amount of drinking water in less than 20 seconds.
Nonetheless, it would help if you changed the batteries frequently. However, the LifeStraw itself is relatively durable equipment you can easily carry in your backpack or store anywhere else safely without worrying about damaging it.
You don’t have to carry a water bottle as you use the device. Therefore, you will save money and help the environment. Another advantage is that LifeStraw does not contain iodine or chlorine bleach chemicals. The device has also been tested against strict American EPA guidelines so that users can enjoy safe and clean drinking water at any given time.
Will My LifeStraw Expire?
Although there isn’t a specific expiration date for LifeStraw products, you should use the device within 3-5 years, so it’s more effective for filtering.
Even when the device is stored appropriately and unused for many years, some parts may begin degrading and cause breakage after some time.
The main reason LifeStraw does not have an expiration date is its design. The product has a hollow fiber membrane that can last for many years, and its pieces rarely break down. However, if you don’t store your unused LifeStraw properly, it will have a shorter lifespan, and the parts will start degrading fast.
How Can I Increase My LifeStraw’s Shelf Life?
It’s possible to increase the shelf life of your LifeStraw and make it last longer if you follow the tips mentioned below.
1. Cleaning The Device Properly After Every Use
LifeStraw products require proper maintenance and care to last a long time. After using the product, ensure that you follow the manufacturer’s adequate cleaning guidelines to maximize its longevity and continue getting clean water.
2. Correct Storage
Once you clean your LifeStraw product, you must store it properly in a dry and clean area. In addition, the device should be at an ideal room temperature. You should avoid storing it in a cold or hot place because it may shorten its lifespan, and you will often have to replace it.
4. Frequent Replacement Of The Filters
Every LifeStraw filter has a maximum amount of water that it can filter. Therefore, replacing the filters is always essential after they reach the limit. If you use an expired filter, you may cause problems such as clogged straw, which may reduce the lifespan of your LifeStraw product.
How To Know When To Replace My LifeStraw
If you wonder when to replace your LifeStraw filter, you should check whether it’s flowing easily. A drastic decrease in the flow rate indicates that the straw is clogged or that it has filtered the maximum amount before you swap it out.
It’s recommended to deep clean your straw before replacing any of its parts. A clogged straw makes it hard to get water through the mouthpiece. However, deep cleaning can restore it to its original state.
What Can Cause My LifeStraw To Stop Working
LifeStraw products stop working if you don’t clean them properly. They may also stop working because of trapped air bubbles or when the water filter needs replacement. In addition, clogging causes it to stop working, although you can fix this by following the steps outlined in the LifeStraw unclogging guide.
However, if you follow the cleaning guidelines and store your LifeStraw correctly, you will keep it working for a long time and remain in good shape.
Can An Old Water Filter Make You Sick?
Yes, an old water filter can add bacteria to the cleaned water. The pitcher filter will be working in a moist environment, which will cause bacterial multiplication. Multiplication will make the bacteria reach a high concentration, making you sick if you continue using the old filter.
Can I Use My LifeStraw To Purify Ocean Water?
Purifying saline water to make it fresh is known as desalination. This means that you turn ocean water into drinkable freshwater. The most common ways of desalinating water are through reverse osmosis or distillation. Reverse osmosis water treatment can push water through a small filter and leave salt behind. Unfortunately, LifeStraw products don’t remove salt from ocean water, and therefore you should not use it on water sources like the ocean or seawater.
Conclusion
If you love going on camping trips, the best way to keep yourself from contracting water-borne illnesses like Salmonella, E. coli, or even Giardia is to use the LifeStraw filter device. The device will filter your water and give you access to safe and clean drinking water wherever you go.
A LifeStraw filter should be one of your critical trips essentials when spending time outdoors. In addition, LifeStraw is highly affordable and portable. Therefore, you don’t need to stress carrying it with you wherever you go.
