Just wanted to post something I just discovered in case it helps someone else.

I went to test my BeFree for the first time this year and the flow was almost completely blocked. Worked fine last year with no issues. I always rinse out and flush our filters with diluted bleach water before I store for the winter.

Thought maybe it was just too dry so I filled 2L bottle attached the filter and let it drip for about an hour with no change.

Quick google search and I read of others that had trouble with hard water clogging the filter and using CLR to clear it out. We have very hard water in Indianapolis so I thought that could be it. I happen to have some CLR at home, some mixed up a cup diluted the CLR about 4 to 1. Let it soak for about 2 minutes shaking the filter around in the cup. Then I ran the CLR Mixture through the filter.

Problem solved! Flow rate was back to normal. I ran 4 liters of clean water through the filter to make sure I didn’t have any residual left.

I also read that others had similar success with vinegar but we didn’t have any here to try.

I plan to do the same thing with my sawyer squeeze and Sawyer gravity filter. I will also pick up some distilled water to run through the filter instead of tap water when I put it up for the year.

Thanks for the tip

That is interesting. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks, that's a good thing to know about just in case.

What is CLR? Sounds like my Sawyer gravity filter could use this.

CLR is Calcium, Lime, and Rust remover. It's a cleaning solution. You should be able to find it in groceries or hardware stores.

Thanks for the tip just did this with mine flow restored again thanks
Dean

huntfun2: "What is CLR? Sounds like my Sawyer gravity filter could use this."

We use it so often i didn't think about clarifying what CLR is. The biggest use for us is running it through the coffee maker once a month to keep it flowing.

CLR - Calcium Lime and Rust Remover