Sawyer Filter Backwashing Tips and Tricks

This video will show you how to backwash your Sawyer MINI and Squeeze Filter.

The trick to a successful backwashing is to be very forceful with the process. Water will always take the path of least resistance, so in order to full flush out the filter and restore it's flow rate, the backwashing pressure needs to exceed the pressure in which it is used. A successful backwash can restore up to 98.5% of the flow rate.

If your filter is very clogged we'd recommend first soaking it in warm water to loosen up the fibers. If your water source is mineral rich, then we'd even suggest soaking it in vinegar.

[BikeSeatPhilosopher]

Soaking in warm water worked for me after multiple fails with the syringe.

[SlumberPartyLofi]

YES! Thanks for talking about the coupling option-I lost my syringe and had no idea how to backwash my filter.

[Diabolical_Minds]

A better way to backwash is get a 2 litre bottle, put a smart water cap on it, or a lucozade sport cap. Put that on the top where you would normally put the syringe, and squeeze, much more pressure to her a good clean

[harmleyten]

Syringe not needed use a plastic 0.5L (Standard like coca cola) soda bottle it fits perfectly, and works even better. Also more reliable!

[barbshubert]

It would be nice to see an up close look at which parts attach to which end or attaché to other options. It seems that Sawyer assumes that I know everything about their product. Just my opinion.

[mikerilling]

Now have the large end with a Ziploc closure so that we can actually gather water without having to try to coax the water into that tiny little opening on the top

[GHK]

Let's say you want to store it because you dont go outdoors yet at the moment. How do you keep it dry after backwashing? Just by squeezing with air and no water? How do you keep it dry for storage?

[NyajanyHoth-opgp]

Thanks For Viods we are here mentioned our Rev Jacob Dolek and Tibetha Nyajany Hoth

[Skxxvr]

Do u have to clean (backwash) after every use?

[amilzekria]

Last year i bought a micro and on the trip it was fine. Came home, back washed and on the next trip it failed as in i was unable to sqweez anything threw☹️ was not happy. Had to ration the remaining water i had and boiled the stream water which is fine but even after boiling still has bits in.

Not happy

[Moodymongul]

Yeah this information was NOT in my Sawyer pack when I bought the filter/bag/syringe pack (3 years ago now). I just opened it and noticed that none of the instructions mentioned how to USE the backwash syringe. Nice.
Hopefully the instructions accompanying the product have now been Proof read (or maybe my pack was just missing the backwash instructions?)

Question:
I noticed people stating bleach+water are used to clean the filter (if stored for long time, dirty). Could I use 3% Hydrogen peroxide and water mix as the bleach and backwash that through the filter? I just prefer that (and what it breaks down into) rather then using a store bought bleach product.

Thanks in advance.

[alejandroosorio]

Buenas tardes. Yo tengo 3 años con mi filtro. La garantía me dice que puedo usarlo por 10 años y 567litros por día pero yo solo filtro 20 litros por día. Pero ya esta tapado y no se destapa por más retro limpieza qué le haga, solo gotea pero es algo mínimo. Me dura hasta una noche entera para filtrar 2 litros de agua. Que puedo hacer? Ya se dañó o tiene arreglo?

[CommieHunter]

The problem I run into, either with trapped air or with it needing backflush, is I pull out my filter when I'm out of water. (say, a short hike that turned into an unexpected survival situation). Given I'm already out of clean water, it's inconvenient that you need clean water on hand to get the filter working.

[cympimpin]

Do Sawyer filters have any sort of expiration date before or after they've been removed from the factory packaging? Like if you opened one up to try it out, cleaned it, then left it in an emergency bag for a few years, is there a risk it'll dry out or expire or break down or anything like that to make it no longer effective or safe?

[ShannonGlenda]

It would be nice if you had shown how to actually attach the syringe to the filter. Kinda the purpose of the video.

[richman]

i let one sit for 3 years but want to use it again. Freaked out it may have mold, etc though. Anyone use one after storing it uncleaned that long?

[kyjelly]

Does the filter get moldy? If you use it while hiking then back flow clean it are you supposed to dry it out somehow?

[VapourTrailz]

@SawyerProducts I've backwashed my Sawyer micro squeeze by attaching it to an outside tap (UK standard pressure is anywhere between 1 and 4 bars).
Have I broken it please?

[El.Duderino.]

hello, does vinegar not damage the plastic or the seals?

[greedygringoprospecting]

hey I've  read things on you tube  about freezing and cracking   I know that's not your issue  but they do have a point   how do you have clean water if you filter cracks from freezing   just a thought    I would sleep with my filter in my pocket   right 98.6  is pretty warm  just dry it out