To properly store your LifeStraw, ensuring its longevity and effectiveness, the key steps involve thorough cleaning, a specific preservation rinse for long-term storage, and placement in an appropriate environment.
How to Store LifeStraw?
Proper storage of your LifeStraw is essential to prevent contamination, maintain filter integrity, and ensure it's ready for your next adventure. This process involves a crucial cleaning step, often including a salt solution, followed by careful drying and appropriate placement.
1. Pre-Storage Preparation: Cleaning and Preservation
Before storing your LifeStraw, especially for extended periods, it's vital to clean and prepare the filter membrane. This prevents mold, algae, and bacterial growth that could damage the filter or make it unsafe to use.
Flushing with Clean Water
First, ensure you thoroughly flush the filter with clean, potable water.
- Backflush: If your LifeStraw model allows, backflush it using a syringe or by blowing air through the mouthpiece to clear any trapped particles. This helps dislodge debris from the filter membranes.
- Rinse: Drink clean water through the filter until the water runs clear and you're confident all turbid water has been removed.
Saltwater Rinse for Long-Term Storage (Key Step)
For long-term storage (typically more than one month) or if storing in freezing conditions, a saltwater solution is highly recommended for certain LifeStraw models, such as the LifeStraw Peak Series Straw. This solution helps preserve the filter membranes and inhibits microbial growth.
- Preparation: Mix approximately one teaspoon of salt per 16 ounces (or 500 ml) of clean water.
- Application: Draw this saltwater solution through your LifeStraw. For models like the Peak Series Straw, pull the saltwater in until you can just about taste it. This indicates the solution has permeated the filter.
- Sealing: Immediately after drawing in the saltwater, close both the bottom and top caps securely. This traps the solution inside, keeping the membranes moist and protected.
2. Drying Your LifeStraw
After cleaning and applying the saltwater solution (if applicable), it's important to allow your LifeStraw to dry as much as possible, particularly the exterior.
- Air Dry: Remove any external moisture by shaking out excess water. Allow the LifeStraw to air dry in a clean, dry place away from direct sunlight for several hours or overnight. While the internal membranes with salt solution should remain moist, the exterior should be dry to prevent external mold or mildew.
- Avoid Heat: Do not use artificial heat sources like microwaves or ovens to dry your LifeStraw, as this can damage the filter material.
3. Choosing the Right Storage Environment
The environment where you store your LifeStraw significantly impacts its condition and readiness for future use.
- Cool, Dry Place: Store your LifeStraw in a cool, dry place. Ideal locations include a cupboard, gear bin, or pantry.
- Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Do not expose your LifeStraw to extreme heat or freezing temperatures (unless explicitly prepared with saltwater as described above). Freezing can damage the filter membranes if water is present inside, rendering the filter unusable. If you've performed the saltwater flush, it offers protection against freezing damage.
- Protection: Keep the LifeStraw in its original packaging or a protective bag to prevent dust and dirt from accumulating.
4. Post-Storage Preparation (Before Next Use)
Before using your LifeStraw after long-term storage, especially with a saltwater flush:
- Rinse Thoroughly: Draw clean, fresh water through the filter for about 30 seconds to flush out any residual saltwater taste or impurities.
- Perform a Test: If possible, test the filter with a small amount of water from a known clean source to ensure proper flow and taste before relying on it in the field.
Summary of LifeStraw Storage Steps
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Initial Clean | Flush with clean water. Backflush if possible to remove trapped debris. |
| 2. Saltwater Rinse | For long-term storage/freezing: Mix 1 tsp salt per 16 oz water. Draw solution until you can almost taste it. Securely close both caps (especially for models like LifeStraw Peak Series Straw). This preserves membranes and prevents microbial growth. |
| 3. External Dry | Shake out excess water. Air dry in a clean, cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Do not use artificial heat. |
| 4. Storage Location | Store in a cool, dry place. Avoid extreme temperatures (unless saltwater prepped). Keep in protective packaging to prevent dust. |
| 5. Before Next Use | Flush thoroughly with clean water (30 seconds) to remove salt taste. |
By following these guidelines, you can significantly extend the life of your LifeStraw and ensure it's always ready to provide safe drinking water. For more detailed and model-specific instructions, always refer to the official LifeStraw care guide.
