Algae in Keurig or Brita?

Interesting. I live in Detroit area and we've always been known for good drinking water. Especially compared to Phoenix where my son lives. However, I have a white shih tzu who, bless her heart, has horrible tear stains. I read where unfiltered water could be a cause.

So ok, I can drink Detroit's water but if it causes my baby to have yucky eyes, well that can't happen. So I got a Brita. Just for my dog. 😮

I keep it on my counter, only have had it a few days. Don't know if it will clear up Macie's eyes but now I know what to do if I get algae!

elaine you're the best.

My Keurig has the exact same thing and it is gross. Unfortunately, I have no place to put it out of the sun so the algae will always grow. I will try the vinegar soak because I can't always get in the nooks and crannies to scrub.

I've always kept my Brita in the fridge.
Wouldn't you want cold drinking water?

I ditched my Keurig and for a single cup K cup brewer because I was grossed out by the whole water in the reservoir thing. Now I pour in fresh water and hit a button. Same convenience as a Keurig, but without the reservoir issue.

I thought Detroit had a boil water advisory this year?

I have never gotten algae in Brita. I've had it 10 years and can't remember the last time I washed it. Will do a vinegar rinse tonight.

Are you thinking about Flint?  Detroit gets their water from a different source. If there was a boil water advisory, I was unaware! 😳

why couldnt you just fill your Keurig from the fridge water if it is filtered? This would eliminate the Brita and a place to store it and it might help with the algae growth. I would probably clean ever thing and run a few cycles of diluted bleach or a stronger cycle of white vinegar and then start fresh with the filtered fridge water. if you are still having the issue, then I would think some contact paper might work because it would keep it dark.

Fascinating. I use a Brita and a Keurig and have never had this issue. I guess it depends on where the water originates?  

I keep the Brita in the refrigerator, and the Keurig is on the kitchen counter. We make around 3-5 cups of coffee/day, so the water doesn't sit very long. 

I keep my Brita in the refrigerator, even though I only use it to fill the animal water fountain thing. I like cold water, so I assume they should too. It doesn't stay cold for very long once it is transferred to their fountain.

I do use vinegar when I wash it, every single time, and I use vinegar in my Keurig frequently too. In fact, I keep a decorative pump on my countertop that is filled with white vinegar. When I wash the pet dishes, I get a pump of soap and a couple pumps of vinegar and wash them up. This is in my master bathroom because I am feeding them upstairs and I moved my Keurig upstairs too. I typically only have a cup of coffee first thing in the morning, and having it in my room is so convenient. I have found that my sponge is never stinky when I add vinegar to it so often. In fact, I was just thinking that I need to get another cute dispenser and put it by my kitchen sink for vinegar use down there too. I buy it by the giant bottle at Costco every time I go there. It disinfects without ruining things like bleach would do.

That was brilliant!

this is what i was thinking too.  it must be somewhere warm and ideal for algae to grow.  we keep our Brita in the fridge and change the water in the Nespresso often.

I used to have that problem with my Brita pitcher. I solved it by getting rid of the Brita.

For my (former) Keurig, I discovered I had to use Crystal Geyser spring water in it ... anything else grew algae, including Alhambra which is the other big-name spring water around these parts, and I think they're even the same company as Crystal Geyser. Go figure. Anyway, when the Keurig died, I replaced it with a Bunn MyCafe (also takes k-cups, but no reservoir, you pour in the water for each cup you make) and continue to use only CG water in it. No problems after several years of use.