So I just realized that I never cleaned out my water filter after I got home from my trip last June. I was planning on another trip in a couple weeks so I figured that after backwashing it would be fine for a couple weeks and I could prep it for long term storage after the last trip of the season. Well, I never went on the second trip and I completely forgot to get back to cleaning and sanitizing the filter. Can I just run a bleach solution though it then thoroughly dry it now in order to sanitize it or do I have to replace the filter? It was only one trip and I was the only one using the filter over the 3 days. We were base camping and brought jugs of water so I didn't even use it much, only for refills in the middle of the lake. I would really hate to have to order another filter.

quote A1t2o: "Can I just run a bleach solution though it then thoroughly dry it now in order to sanitize?."

Probably. It seems like the most sensible approach.

I wouldn't worry about it to much, I would put a little dab of Clorox in some water and soak it. Then I would soak it in some clean water. dry it out, and go from there.

SunCatcher

( I slept in a Holiday Inn, so that's how I know what to do)

Sawyer cleaning directions As Sun Catcher suggested, Bleach, flush and dry.

Yes it should be fine after you do a treatment of it using the bleach solution on it and then rinsing thoroughly with clean water. Then dry it out thoroughly. This may take awhile depending on what type of filter your have. It is surprising how much water they still hold. I know on my Sawyer Minis that you have to shake them out a lot to get excess water out.