LifeStraw Home Dispenser

Overall rating: 4.6662593 / 5 from 818 reviews.

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Q&A

Will this filter out water from my rain barrel that is filled from my roof for harmful bird poop and bacteria

LifeStraw filters are highly effective at removing bacteria, parasites, and microplastics from water. They are designed and tested to meet NSF 231 and NSF 53 standards, ensuring the removal of microbiological contaminants from freshwater sources, including individual wells, springs, and other natural water sources. When using rainwater collected directly (e.g., from a clean container during rainfall), LifeStraw products can provide safe drinking water by removing harmful microorganisms. However, if the rainwater is collected from gutters or roofs, the situation becomes more complex due to potential contamination from: Chemical Contaminants: Roof materials, such as asphalt shingles, may leach chemicals, including petroleum-based substances, into the water. LifeStraw filters are not designed to effectively remove all chemical contaminants. Heavy Metals: Debris or roofing materials might introduce heavy metals like lead or mercury into the water. LifeStraw's Home Pitchers and Dispensers are more comprehensive, as they are specifically designed to reduce bacteria, parasites, heavy metals, and chemicals, including PFAS ("forever chemicals"), chlorine, herbicides, and pesticides. For rainwater collected from roofs or gutters, it is advisable to use a multi-stage filtration system that includes activated carbon filters or reverse osmosis alongside your LifeStraw for a more thorough removal of chemicals and heavy metals.

Where does unfiltered water go?

Great question — I’m happy to explain how the LifeStraw Home filters work. The system uses a two-stage process to clean your water: 1. Membrane microfilter This filter uses hollow fiber membrane technology with microscopic pores that are just 0.2 microns wide. When water flows through it, contaminants like bacteria, parasites, microplastics, and dirt are physically blocked because they’re larger than the pore size. Only clean water passes through to the bottom of the pitcher or dispenser. This filter removes: 99.999999% of bacteria (such as E. coli and Salmonella) 99.999% of parasites (like Giardia and Cryptosporidium) 99.999% of microplastics 2. Activated carbon + ion exchange filter This filter focuses on chemicals and heavy metals. The activated carbon absorbs contaminants like PFAS, chlorine, and pesticides, while the ion exchange resin traps heavy metals such as lead by exchanging them for harmless ions. Our fiber-based design maximizes contact and improves performance over traditional granulated carbon. Together, these filters remove over 30 contaminants while allowing beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium to remain in the water. In short: water flows from the top reservoir, through both filters, and collects in the bottom as clean, great-tasting water. I hope this helps answer your question. Best regards,

Can the wooden stand be used with the 18 cup dispenser?

Hi, At this time the wooden stand only works with our 35 cup Dispenser and is too large for the 18 cup.

I just changed my carbon filter in this and the water is not flowing through, it just sits in the gray part. Is there anything I can do about this?

Please reach out to info@lifestraw.com

I just purchased the 18 cup water filter and washed and rinsed as per instructions and I used a flash light to see how pure the water is and I see little white particles floating in my water reservoir… is this something that I should be concerned about?

No, the small white particles you see in your LifeStraw Home 18-Cup Dispenser after first use are not harmful and are usually related to one of the following: Air bubbles – Sometimes, tiny air bubbles can form in the water and appear as floating particles when using a flashlight. Carbon dust – If the activated carbon filter was not fully flushed, small harmless carbon particles may be present. This should clear up after a few refills. Mineral residue – Some naturally occurring minerals in tap water can form visible particles when exposed to filtration. Remember that our filters do not remove essential minerals from water. What You Can Do: Flush the filter again by running 1-2 more full reservoirs of water through the system. If the issue persists after multiple flushes, reach out to LifeStraw support for further guidance.

I purchased the 18 gallon home water dispensing system and I was wondering if you will be developing a rubber or silicon base for this large water filter container? I noticed that the glass pictures have a silicon base… And I was wondering about one for the larger containers?

At this time we do not have plans to create a silicone base for dispensers. We are currently looking at creating a stand similar to the one for our High Capacity Dispenser however.

I currently only have access to plastic bottled water. I’m concerned about the micro plastics. If I pour water from a plastic bottle, will it filter out all the microplastics?

Thanks for reaching out. This is a common question and is also important with all the news and concerns about plastics in our water. A couple of things: First, our engineers and R&D team work to find materials that balance safety with durability and longevity. This means sourcing products shown not to leach chemicals into the water and ensuring they are BPA-free. Our pitcher, dispenser, and housings are made of SMMA. Over the years, we've updated or changed materials as new information has come out or new materials are available. Second, our products are tested in an accredited lab and verified by independent and accredited third-party laboratories to ensure accurate initial testing. These tests include chemicals in the effluent water that comes out of the devices, which gives us confidence that the materials are not leaching chemicals into the water. Please remember that our products must also meet requirements from the FDA, EPA, and EU regulatory bodies to be considered safe for water use. Evidence Dossier for Home The use of plastics in our devices is a tough challenge. Many alternative materials limit design, can raise costs, reduce durability, or make the devices heavier or harder to use. In some cases, there are no alternatives, such as the materials used to make the membrane microfilter. We 100% hear from concerned customers about the use of plastics and take that feedback seriously, but at this time, we still find we need to use this material in many of our devices. For more information, check out our blog post about microplastics online at LifeStraw.com I hope this information can help, and I appreciate you taking the time to contact us and ask us about this.

What about nano plastics

LifeStraw filters may reduce some larger nanoplastics, but they are not specifically tested or certified for complete nanoplastic removal.

The cold water from my kitchen sink does not go through our water softener. Is it ok to used hard water in the filter?

Hi, Yes, you can use hard water from your sink. Depending upon the minerals within your water, you may need to change your filter more frequently.

Would this filter work with untreated water as in spring or even pond water. Like in a prepping situation? Thanks

Hi, The LifeStraw Home Dispenser is primarily designed for filtering treated tap water. While it effectively removes bacteria, parasites, microplastics, and reduces contaminants like lead, mercury, and PFAS, it is not intended for untreated water sources such as springs or ponds. For untreated water, we offer products specifically designed for such conditions. Two of these are: LifeStraw Personal Water Filter: A portable straw filter that removes bacteria, parasites, and microplastics, suitable for drinking directly from natural water sources. LifeStraw Family: A high-capacity gravity-fed purifier that removes bacteria, viruses, and parasites, ideal for providing safe drinking water in emergency situations. These products are better suited for filtering untreated water in preparedness scenarios.