How Lifestraw Products Work
Key Product Documents
Download the PDF version of our product’s user manuals and lab results
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LifeStraw Home |
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LifeStraw UniversalUser Manual |
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LifeStraw Community |
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LifeStraw GoUser Manual |
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LifeStraw PlayUser Manual |
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LifeStraw Mission |
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LifeStraw FlexUser Manual |
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LifeStraw Steel |
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LifeStraw Family |
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LifeStraw Flex w/ Gravity bagUser Manual |
The Technology
LifeStraw Membrane Microfilters
LifeStraw’s membrane microfilters are made of hollow fiber membrane technology – a similar technology used in kidney dialysis. These membranes are made of small straws that contain microscopic pores of 0.2 microns in diameter. Dirty water enters one side of the straws and clean water passes through the pores while bacteria, parasites, microplastics, dirt and other forms of turbidity are blocked and unable to pass through because they are too large. The result is safe drinking water flows into a clean chamber for drinking while contaminants are blocked. LifeStraw’s membrane microfilters are capable of removing 99.999999% (log 8) of bacteria (including E. coli), 99.999% (log 5) of parasites (Giardia, Cryptosporidium, etc.), and 99.999% (log 5) of microplastics.
LifeStraw Membrane Ultrafilters / Purifiers
The difference between microfilters and ultrafilters is the pore size – LifeStraw’s microfilters have a pore size of 0.2 micron while the ultrafilters have a pore size 10 times smaller: 0.02 micron. Both technologies work via the same mechanism, but ultrafilters (because of their smaller pore size) also remove virus (in addition to bacteria, parasites, microplastics and dirt/turbidity). Because of their smaller pore size, ultrafilters also often have a slower flow rate or require more pressure than microfilters. LifeStraw’s membrane ultrafilters are capable of removing 99.999% (log 5) of viruses, 99.999999% (log 8) of bacteria (including E. coli), 99.999% (log 5) of parasites (Giardia, Cryptosporidium, etc.), and 99.999% (log 5) of microplastics.
Activated Carbon Filtration
LifeStraw Activated Carbon Filters improve water taste by removing chemicals such as chlorine and odors. The activated carbon has been treated with specific processes to open millions of tiny pores between carbon atoms. LifeStraw uses an advanced, special formulation that is made from fibers instead of traditional granulated carbon which improves longevity and performance. This process works via adsorption – contaminants become trapped inside the pore structure of the carbon and bind to the surfaces of the fibers. Over time, once all surface areas are full, the carbon filter must be replaced. Please note the longevity recommendations for each product.
LifeStraw Activated Carbon Filter (LifeStraw Go, Universal, Steel)
LifeStraw Activated Carbon Filters improve water taste by removing chemicals such as chlorine and odors. The activated carbon has been treated with specific processes to open millions of tiny pores between carbon atoms. LifeStraw uses an advanced, special formulation that is made from fibers instead of traditional granulated carbon which improves longevity and performance. This process works via adsorption – contaminants become trapped inside the pore structure of the carbon and bind to the surfaces of the fibers. Over time, once all surface areas are full, the carbon filter must be replaced. Please note the longevity recommendations for each product.
LifeStraw Activated Carbon + Ion Exchange Filter (LifeStraw Flex and Play)
LifeStraw Activated Carbon + Ion Exchange Filters reduce heavy metals, like lead, and improve water taste by removing chemicals such as chlorine, odors. The activated carbon has been treated with specific processes to open millions of tiny pores between carbon atoms. LifeStraw uses an advanced, special formulation that is made from fibers, instead of traditional granulated carbon, which improves longevity and performance. The filtration process works via adsorption – contaminants become trapped inside the pore structure of the carbon and bind to the surfaces. The ion exchange contains a resin with cations that are bound to fibers and non-harmful. When liquid containing other dissolved ions passes through the fibers, the dissolved ions in the water (like lead and other heavy metals) are exchanged for the non-harmful ions currently bound to the fibers. As a result, the harmful elements are trapped and the non-harmful ions are released, making the water safer to drink.
LifeStraw Activated Carbon + Ion Exchange filter for LifeStraw Home
LifeStraw Activated Carbon + Ion Exchange filters reduce lead and other heavy metals and chemicals like PFAS, glyphosate and chlorine while improving water taste. The activated carbon has been treated with specific processes to open millions of tiny pores between carbon atoms. LifeStraw uses an advanced, special formulation that is made from fibers, instead of traditional granulated carbon, which improves longevity and performance. This process works via adsorption – contaminants become trapped inside the pore structure of the carbon and bind to the surfaces. The ion exchange contains a resin with cations that are bound to fibers and non-harmful. When liquid containing other dissolved ions (such as heavy metals like lead) passes through the resin, the dissolved ions in the water are exchanged for the ions (non-harmful) currently bound to the fibers. As a result, the harmful elements are trapped and the non-harmful ions are released, making the water safer to drink. These activated carbon and ion exchange formulations are carefully designed to select for removal of specific chemicals and heavy metals that are harmful to human health while allowing other healthy nutrients (such as sodium, calcium and magnesium) to pass through. The LifeStraw Home Activated Carbon + Ion Exchange filter also has a special formulation that maximizes contact surface with the ion exchange and carbon fibers which allows for highly advanced performance in the removal of chemicals and heavy metals as shown by testing results for efficacy against over 30 contaminants.
Which Product Works For You?
Since different LifeStraw products do different things, it’s important to know which filtration device works best for the water unique to your area.