We recommend sanitizing your Reverse Osmosis system directly after installation and after any maintenance to the internal parts. Be sure to use clean hands while handling the inner parts of your system. Ready to sanitize? Let's get started!
Tools Needed: Eyedropper, Bleach
Click each step below to view instructions.
Step 1 - Administer Bleach
1. You'll want to start by turning the water supply valve OFF to the RO system. This is likely found under your sink, where the green hose attaches to your plumbing.
2. Now we'll empty the storage tank. Open/turn on the RO faucet and keep open until the water flow tapers off.
3. Grab your eyedropper. You'll use this to administer common household bleach (5.25%) into the system. Handle the bleach according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
4. You may want to put a towel under the system in case of any drips. Go ahead and remove the yellow tube from the top of the tank and add 3 ml. of bleach into the open end of the tube.
5. Connect the yellow tubing back to the tank connector.
Step 2 - Pressure Test
1. You can turn the water supply back ON to the system now.
2. We need to purge any air in the plumbing. You can do this by turning on one or more cold water faucets until they're running smoothly.
3. Pressure will start to build in the RO system. Leave the system for about 2 hours, then come back and check the hose connections for any sign of leaking.
Note: As the system begins to be pressurized, water may spurt from the air gap on the faucet base at your sink until all extra air is removed. You may hear water running to the drain as the system is producing RO water - this will stop once the tank is full.
Step 3 - Purge the System
1. Last step here is to open/turn on the RO faucet and leave it open for 24 hours. You'll see a slow drip for the duration of the purge. DO NOT consume this water - sanitization is occurring.
2. Once that 24 hours is up, you can go ahead and close the reverse osmosis faucet. You'll need to let the storage tank fill and then empty, twice:
- Allow the unit 2-3 hours to fill the storage tank. Once it's full, you'll empty the tank.
- Let it fill again (2-3 hours). Once full, you'll empty it again.
3. After it fills for the 3rd time, your system is ready to use!
Reusable Sanitizing Kit
If you'd like to sanitize your RO unit annually to prevent bacterial build-up, we recommend our reusable Sanitizing Kit. The kit includes 3 sanitization cartridges and a syringe for bleach application. For more info, visit our Sanitization Kit article.
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