LifeStraw Community | How to Clean and Maintain Your LifeStraw Community Water Purifier

Proper cleaning and storage will keep your LifeStraw Community safe, effective, and ready for use when you need it. Follow the steps below for weekly cleaning, long term storage, and restart after storage.

Weekly Cleaning (During Regular Use)

1. Clean the Dirty Water Tank
   • Use a clean cloth and water to wipe the inside.
2. Wash external parts

• Wipe down taps, filter body, and stand or legs.

3. Clean the Clean Water Tank
   • Open the tank and clean thoroughly with cloth, soap, and clean water.
   • Rinse away all soap before using again.

Preparing for Long Term Storage

Before storing your LifeStraw Community for weeks or months, complete these steps.

1. Empty all components

• Clean Water Tank, Dirty Water Tank(s), and Backwash Bottles.

2. Clean the unit
   • Perform the weekly cleaning steps above.
3. Backwash once
   • Backwash the LifeStraw one time to remove water from the cartridge and bellows. This prevents odor during storage.

Storing the Unit

Preferred storage setup (if space allows):

• Keep the unit fully assembled on a table.
• Place the backwash bottle inside the Dirty Water Tank.

Storage precautions:

• Do not store in boxes (rodents may damage parts).
• Do not store near grains or firewood (rodent risk).
• Do not place items inside tanks.
• Do not put heavy objects on top of the unit.

Collapsed Storage or Transport

If space is limited or you need to move the unit:

1. Separate the stand from the Clean Water Container.
2. Place the backwash bottle and prefilter inside the Dirty Water Container.
3. Invert the Clean Water Container and insert it into the Dirty Water Container.
4. Invert the stand and place the LifeStraw above it in the “basket” formed.
5. Store or transport as needed.

Restarting After Long Term Storage

Before using again, disinfect and flush the system.

1. Fill the Dirty Water Tank with unfiltered water.
2. Add 1 purifier cleaning tablet or exactly 7 ml of 3.5% bleach (measure with a graduated syringe or cup).
3. Stir to mix.
4. Wait until some water begins to filter into the Clean Water Tank.
5. Backwash once: Pull the handle fully down, release, and let it return on its own.
6. When the Clean Water Tank is full, discard all the water by opening all four taps at once.
7. Resume normal daily use.