Before you put the lid back on, rinse out the pitcher with plain water. That black sludgy stuff from the old filter? Yeah, it’s gross. Give it a quick swirl and dump it.
Wipe the rim where the filter sits. A little gunk there can cause leaks. Leaks make your countertop cry. Don’t be a countertop bully.
Reassemble the lid, pat yourself on the back, and refill with cold tap water. You’re done. Go hydrate.
One Last Goofy Warning
Do not try to wash the old filter. Do not put it in the dishwasher. Do not microwave it. Do not eat it. (Someone out there has done all three. You know who you are.)
The filter is a one-hit-wonder. It had its moment. Let it retire in peace inside a landfill, where it will live forever, haunting future archaeologists.
