How to Clean PUR Water Filter Dispenser | Cold Water, Mild Soap

Knowing how to clean a PUR water filter dispenser comes down to one rule: mild soap and cold water keep the filter and plastic parts in good shape. Hand-washing the dispenser body, lid, pour tray, and removable filter cover with soapy water works for every model. Some newer dispensers survive the dishwasher, but you must check the manual because the filter and spigot never go in.

Step-By-Step: Cleaning A PUR Dispenser By Hand

PUR’s official instructions cover the two filter types, and the cleaning steps are nearly identical. The short version works for both, with a different filter prep step for each.

PUR Plus With Lead Reduction:

1. Soak the filter in cold water for 15 minutes.
2. Hand wash the dispenser body, lid, pour tray, and removable filter cover with mild soapy water.
3. Rinse every part well.
4. Hold the filter under cold running tap water for 10 seconds.
5. Let the excess water drain.
6. Attach the removable cover, insert the filter, and lock it in place.

PUR Basic: rinse the filter under cold water for 15 seconds, then follow the same hand-washing steps for the dispenser parts.

The when the filter locks with a click and the lid sits flush, the assembly is done. Run a full pitcher of cold water through the system before drinking to clear any lingering soap.

Dishwasher-Safe Models: What Goes On The Top Rack

PUR says many pitcher and dispenser parts are dishwasher safe, but the manual for your specific model is the final word on which ones. The filter itself never goes in the dishwasher — heat ruins it.

On the 30-cup dispenser, the body, lid, and pour tray can go on the top rack, but the spigot must come off first. Use the horseshoe-shaped tool stored on the underside of the dispenser to pop the spigot loose before the cycle. Wash the spigot by hand with soapy water instead.

Some models include a removable filter cover — PUR labels this “select models only.” When yours has one, take it off and wash it by hand unless the manual says otherwise.

The Water Temperature Rule And Other Cleaning Caveats

Hot water is never an option for the filter or any part that touches it during cleaning.

Three more cautions keep a dispenser working for years:

• Avoid abrasive or corrosive cleaners on any part — mild dish soap is all PUR recommends.
• Never submerge the CleanSensor monitor on models that include it; rinse it under running water instead.
• Wash the dispenser regularly, especially if you refill it daily — a clean pour tray and lid stop biofilm from forming around the spout.

If your dispenser holds 30 cups or more, the cleaning math changes: you will use the spigot more, and it collects residue faster. A weekly wipe-down of the spigot with a soapy cloth keeps the water path clean between full washings. For a look at how different dispenser models compare on capacity, filtration speed, and filter life, our water filter dispenser roundup covers the tested options.

How Often Should You Clean The Dispenser?

PUR does not publish a fixed schedule, but the practical rhythm is once every two weeks for a household that fills the pitcher daily. If you leave the dispenser empty for a few days, rinse it before the next fill — standing water can pick up a stale taste. A deeper clean with the full filter prep steps above makes sense after travel or when the pour rate slows.

When the dispenser sits on the counter near a sunny window, check it more often — sunlight speeds up algae growth in any water container, and a green tint inside the pitcher means a deep clean is overdue.