7 Methods to Filter Water at Home Naturally

70% of the earth is made of water, yet only about 1.2% of this water is potable.

It can be challenging to get good drinking water, especially when you live in an area where water is scarce.

If you struggle to get clean water at home, this article is for you. We’ve highlighted some reliable and natural means of water filtration to help end your struggle.

DIY Methods to Filter Water at Home

Filtered water is drinkable and free from impurities. On the other hand, unfiltered water exposes you to water-borne diseases, skin infections, and home appliance damage.

We’ve made a list of seven simple (and natural) ways you can filter water at home to keep you safe!

1. Boiling

Boiling is the most common way to purify water. All you need for this method is a steady heat source.

Water boils at 100°C, and many microorganisms can barely make it to 60°C before dying off.

Boiling is an effective way to get rid of harmful contaminants in water, but it doesn’t help in all cases.

For instance, if your water is polluted with heavy metals, boiling your water won’t get rid of them – it will only increase the concentration of the heavy metals (which is worse).

Another downside to boiling is that you can only purify small amounts of water at a time.

2. Alum

Alum is found in many households and serves various functions, including water purification. Alum is an acidic salt that acts as a coagulant when added to water.

To purify your water with alum, add solid alum to the water, cover it, and let it sit for a while.

Alum causes impurities in the water to clump together and coagulate, making them more visible.

You can separate the coagulated impurities from the water by using a clean white cloth as a filter.

The white cloth traps all the contaminants and allows only clean water to pass through it.

3. Chlorine-Based Tablets or Drops

Chlorine-based tablets (or drops) are common disinfectants used to purify water.

To use them, fill up a clean container with water and add the chlorine tablets or drops based on the recommended measurement from the manufacturer.

Then, stir the water gently and let it stand for about an hour. Keep in mind that it’s dangerous to drink chlorinated water immediately, so be sure to wait for a while.

4. Sunlight

Surprisingly, water can be purified using sunlight. The WHO formerly referred to this water purification method as “solar water disinfection”.

Purifying water with sunlight is slow but effective. To filter your water using sunlight, leave a filled water container in the sun for about 6 hours.

The UV rays from the sun destroy all the harmful microbes present in the water, making it safe to drink.

The downside to purifying with sunlight is that it’s very slow and only effective against microorganisms.

If your water is contaminated by chemical or physical impurities, sunlight won’t help.

5. Ceramic Pots

If you have a ceramic pot, you’re in luck. Ceramic pots are highly durable and can be used to filter water at home.

You can use a ceramic filter for a lifetime if the pot doesn’t crack or break.

Ceramic water filters are made unglazed (meaning that they are made with a hundred percent organic clay).

Unglazed pots are perfect filters because they are porous and allow water molecules to pass through them.

To set up a ceramic pot filter, you’ll need a ceramic pot and a water storage tool (like a drum).

Set the ceramic pot on top, with the drum under to receive clean water.

The ceramic filter traps all impurities, and only pure water will pass on to the drum.

6. Activated Charcoal Portable Water Filter

Activated Charcoal Portable Water Filter

Activated charcoal has tiny pores and a large surface area, making it perfect for filtration.

Its mode of operation is simple: water molecules pass through the small pores, and impurities remain trapped on the surface.

You can get an activated charcoal filter at any hardware store and attach it to your taps at home.

Remember that you have to change the filter regularly because the filter stops working when all the pores are clogged.

7. Whole House Water Filters

Whole house water filters are less natural means of purifying water, but they are highly effective.

Whole house filter systems filter your water from the main water line before it enters your home.

Many homeowners use whole house filtration systems because they filter water coming from every part of the house and work on a wide range of contaminants.

You can read more about them and decide if they’re best for you.

A steady supply of clean water is essential in every household.

Luckily, you don’t always have to rely on complicated filtration processes; you can get clean, potable water by trying these natural filtration methods mentioned in this article.

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