LifeStraw Personal Portable Water Filter
The amazing personal, portable water filter.
Videos
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The LifeStraw Go Bottle is a sturdy water bottle with an integrated LifeStraw.
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Watch video for: LifeStraw Water Filter -
Video: Would You Drink This Water? -
Video: LIFESTRAW CHALLENGE: Drinking Pee, Backwash & More! -
Video: Can You Drink Vomit with a LifeStraw?
*Note: The product details shown on Vat19 may vary from what is available at the store(s) above.
Overview
Designed to remove 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria, the slender LifeStraw Portable Water Filter features no moving parts, requires no power supply, and never needs maintenance.
Each LifeStraw can filter up to 264 gallons of water and stows easily in a pocket, glove compartment, or backpack. Originally designed for use during natural disasters, the LifeStraw is also perfect for hiking, camping, or whenever your travels take you to remote areas.
For more convenience, purchase the LifeStraw Go Bottle — a 22-oz refillable water bottle and filter in one!
Each LifeStraw purchase ensures that a child in a developing country is given clean drinking water for a year.
For people who like:
Features & specs
- Dimensions (Straw): 9" x 1" diameter
- Dimensions (Bottle): 9.5" x 3" diameter
- No moving parts, batteries, or replacement parts
- Chemical-free
- Removes 99.9999% of bacteria
- Eliminates 99.9% of parasites
- Treats over 250 gallons of water (1000 L)
- Lightweight (Straw: 2 oz | Bottle: 6.5 oz)
- Reduces cloudiness of water
- Bottle holds 22 ounces of water
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Filter water quickly, easily, and wherever you are
LifeStraw is an astounding water filtration device. It's small, highly portable, simple to operate, and possibly life-saving.
Keep one with your camping gear, in the glove compartment of your car, and in your pocket anytime you're hiking in a remote area.
Enjoy clean, filtered water anywhere you find it!
Requires no batteries or replacement parts
Simply immerse the bottom of the LifeStraw into any water source (except seawater) and drink. Water is drawn up and filtered solely by your suction. The LifeStraw requires no external power source, has no moving parts, and requires zero maintenance.
The LifeStraw is made from BPA-free plastic and chemical-free filtration membranes. A single LifeStraw can filter 264 gallons (enough for a person to live for a year) and removes 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria and 99.9% of parasites.
The LifeStraw is a portable water filter with no moving parts, no batteries, and nothing to replace.
Lightweight, slender design is ideal for camping
Anything can happen in the great outdoors. Should you or a loved one end up in a sticky situation, the LifeStraw could mean the difference between life or death. The LifeStraw weighs a mere 2 ounces and can fit in your pocket. With it and a Swiss Army Knife, you're good to go.
The LifeStraw weighs only 2 ounces and is a mere nine inches long.
Removes up to 99.9999% of bacteria
The filters inside the LifeStraw remove anything 0.2 microns or larger. This means that 99.9999% of bacteria and 99.9% of parasites are extracted from your drinking water.
Here's a list of a few of the diseases that LifeStraw will prevent: cholera, cryptosporidium, cyclosporiasis, diarrheal disease, dysentery, gastroenteritis, giardiasis, guinea worm, hepatitis E, typhoid fever.
In the United States, one of the most common waterborne illnesses is caused by the legionella bacteria which is also filtered out by the LifeStraw.
The LifeStraw can filter up to 264 gallons of water before needing to be replaced.
Turns your water crystal clear
Until we met the LifeStraw, us here folks at Vat19 were unfamiliar with the term "turbidity". Now we know that it refers to the cloudiness of a fluid caused by suspended solids (aka funk).
The LifeStraw, in addition to ridding the life-threatening diseases that may be present in natural water sources, also turns cloudy water crystal clear.
The LifeStraw remarkably reduces the turbidity of water.
Originally developed as an emergency relief aid
The LifeStraw is a world-changing invention that was initially designed to provide life-sustaining aid during natural disasters. It is also being used in many developing countries where access to sanitary water is limited.
Your purchase of a LifeStraw guarantees that a child in a developing country has access to clean water for an entire school year.
With every purchase of a LifeStraw, the manufacturer donates a unit to a child in need for an entire school year.
New! LifeStraw Portable Water Bottle!
The fine folks at LifeStraw have cleverly integrated an improved two-stage LifeStraw within a sturdy and lightweight water bottle. The hollow fiber membrane used in a stand-alone LifeStraw is paired with an activated carbon capsule for even better filtration. The carbon capsule additionally reduces chlorine, bad odors and tastes, and even potentially harmful organic chemical matter such as pesticides, herbicides, and volatile organic compounds.
To use the bottle, simply dunk it into any natural water source and sip through the mouthpiece. Voila! You've got safe drinking water. Clip it onto a backpack with the included carabiner. Holds 22 ounces of water.
The LifeStraw Bottle incorporates its award-winning purification technology into a refillable water bottle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Does the LifeStraw ever run out?
Answer: The LifeStraw can filter up to 1,000 liters (264 gallons) of water. It has no removable or replaceable parts. After 1,000 liters, simply discard the unit.
Question: Will it work with really nasty water?
Answer: Yes. We've seen (and participated in — see below) video demonstrations where the water looks more like sludge than a liquid. With the LifeStraw, they are able to extract perfectly clean drinking water.
This is an amazing device that may actually be the most curiously awesome product we've ever sold.
Question: How do you clean the filter?
Answer: It is recommended to regularly blow through the LifeStraw after drinking to clean the filter and prevent clogging.
Question: How do I know when I've used the LifeStraw for 1,000 liters?
Answer: The LifeStraw can actually perform for more than 1,000 liters, but that is the recommended lifespan from the manufacturer. Once you can no longer draw water through the straw, it is time to dispose of it.
Question: Will it filter salt water into regular water?
Answer: Nope. Salt is far smaller than the bacteria and viruses that LifeStraw is intended to filter. Remember, the purpose of the LifeStraw is to make natural water sources (such as lakes, rivers, creeks, and ponds) safe to drink.
Question: What's the deal with the LifeStraw GO Bottle?
Answer: It's a sturdy and lightweight (only 6.5 oz) water bottle with a built-in two-stage LifeStraw for extra convenience. It's particularly designed for camping, hiking, and running.
Simply dip the bottle into any nearby water source (river, lake, stream) and drink through the plastic mouthpiece for perfectly clean and perfectly safe drinking water that's been charcoal filtered for improved taste.
At this time, replacement LifeStraws for the LifeStraw Go Bottle are not available.
Question: Can I drink urine, vomit, or other disgusting things with the LifeStraw? Prove it!
Answer: Please check out the videos below!
Where can I buy this awesomeness?
*Note: The product details shown on Vat19 may vary from what is available at the store(s) above.
Burning Questions: You Ask and We Answer
Burning Questions: You ask and we answer!
Your questions that have been answered by the Vat19.com staff:
Can I drink my own p**s? You know like Bear Grylls.
If you absolutely have to, yes.
I want this for a survival kit. How long will it last in storage?
Each LifeStraw has a 5-year shelf life. As long as the LifeStraw remains in its package, it will remain safe to use for that 5 year period.
How do you clean the thing back up? I mean, once its done its job. All the bad stuff (bacteria) would grow in it! And is there anyway whatsover to clean it up? Like maybe washing the thing with soap water?
No, nor is it necessary. The filter itself is antimicrobial, which means that bacteria cannot live in it.
Is it animal tested?
No. I'm not really even sure how you would get an animal to drink through a straw.
My town says that there are cancer causing agents in our water because of the sewage plant and the river, can it filter that?
Probably not. The LifeStraw was designed to filter naturally occurring bacteria and turbidity. Chemical pollution is completely different and cannot be filtered out.
Would parasite eggs get through here?
They would not.
So, in theory you could drink a seawater and it would become a fresh water? If not, why? What is the difference between filtering dirt and stuff and filtering salt?
You cannot filter seawater into fresh water. Sediment does not bond at the molecular level as salt does. Think of it this way: if you ran salt water through a napkin a thousand times, it'd still be salt water, just a bit cleaner.
Can this filter out chemicals? (E.g. Can I use this this to drink water from a pool without the chlorine in it?)
No. The LifeStraw cannot filter chemicals from water.
Awkward question: will it filter urine?
Awkward, but also easily the most frequently asked/answered question for this product. It will "filter" urine, which is completely unnecessary because urine is sterile to begin with, but it will not make your urine taste like tapwater.
Does it change how the water tastes?
It will definitely make the water taste better than it did at its source! A mouthful of mud and fish parts will definitely make water taste unpleasant.
If I went to outback australia (I am Aussie) would it filter out rainwater that COULD have mosquito bacteria and other germs that could make you sick?
It would! In fact, that exact scenario is precisely what the LifeStraw was designed for.
Can you buy one, and then have be sent to kids/ families in need of clean water?
We can't, unless they have a physical address we can ship to, but you certainly can. Don't forget that each time someone purchases a LifeStraw, the manufacturer sends one to a developing and/or devastated region.
Could you still get a dangerous disease even if you use the lifestraw? Like, something that it wouldn't filter. If so, what would it be?
Only viruses are too small to be captured by the LifeStraw, and waterborne viruses are exceptionally rare. The LifeStraw was made to drink from natural sources of water, so I don't recommend sticking it into a septic tank and expecting crisp, clean water.
Shouldn't This Be Like, 100$ Or Something?
Why? It doesn't cost nearly that much to make. That sort of markup would border on being criminal.
Won't the bacteria stay on the filters??
The filter is antimicrobial which means that bacteria cannot survive or escape it.
How can you tell if you can't use it any more? I don't want to risk drinking mud water just to see if it works.
You'll no longer be able to draw water through the LifeStraw when it cannot filter any more.
How does the LifeStraw filter the water? Does it suck in the bacteria and throw it out? Or does it just completely make it dissolve with magic?
The LifeStraw contains an incredibly dense antimicrobial filter which captures and kills bacteria.
Can I buy a bunch of lifestraws and ship them directly to the Philippines?
You can do whatever you like with something once you've purchased it!
Does it filter small bugs like just any kind of bugs that would be in filthy water?
Yes. The filter is efficient enough to strain out bacteria, so it's definitely going to filter out a bug.
I have a very dirty fish pond in my backyard. Tons of algae and poop are in there. Will it filter that?
It probably would, actually. Did you SEE some of the filthy ponds those kids were drinking from? I can assure you that there were far worse things than fish poop in some of those ponds.
So even though there is the muddiest puddle, you can drink out of it?
That is correct! Check out some of the photos on our page and you'll see examples of exactly that.
Can it filter a flavoring in water?
No. As we've stated, it can only remove physical pollutants from water. It cannot remove chemicals (such as flavorings).
Can you used it and drink chlorine water?
No. Chemicals cannot be filtered out with the LifeStraw.
What would happen if you were to drink liquids that are not water like orange juice or milk?
Not much. The filter only captures sediment, bacteria, and other physical impurities. It won't turn your milk into whey or your soda into carbonated water.
Does the life straw actually work this well? It seems hard to believe.
It does. The LifeStraw has been in use for several years now around the world and has developed an incredible reputation for being able to cheaply supply clean water to impoverished or devastated areas.
If you don't have to maintain the LifeStraw, then won't the inside of it contain tons of bacteria and parasites?? Or do they not enter the system at all in the first place?
The filter itself is antimicrobial, which means that bacterial and other nasties cannot grow in it.
Is this a scam? This seems too good to be true
Nope. The LifeStraw has actually been around for several years and has been used in devastated and impoverished areas with great amounts of success. A quick Google search will yield a great deal of further information.
What part of the river should you dip it in?
The wet part.
So in a event of a hurricane my power and gas went out so I could not boil tap water to filter it I can put some tap water In I cup and use the straw to filter the water clean (You Guys Are Awesome)
That is correct, however if you have the ability to boil water you absolutely should.
Can I drink out of the Great Lakes even if there are boats in it? Will that erect the water?
Yes, however you should avoid drinking near docks or outboards as the LifeStraw will not effectively filter chemicals such as oil and gasoline.
If the U.S.A. is ever nuked and irradiated will it filter out the radiation?(Not joking)
No, the LifeStraw cannot filter out radiation.
Will the taste of the bad water still be there? Because sometimes filtered water and bottled water taste different.
Taste and cleanliness are two completely different things. The LifeStraw's entire function is make water suitable to drink. With that being said, the removal of turbidity from the water will greatly improve the flavor the water, but that does not necessarily mean that it will be as crisp as what you buy in the store from a bottle.
Does this work on ocean water?
No, it does not filter salt water.
Does it get harder to suck water as it's use runs out?
That is correct. In fact, you can tell that the LifeStraw needs to be replaced when you can no longer draw water through it.
I know that the shelf life is 5 years, but what if you buy it and leave it in the pack? How long will it last without being opened or used? If you rarely use it, will the shelf life be extended?
According to the manufacturer, the LifeStraw's shelf life when in the packaging is essentially indefinite.
Can you drink from the Hudson River.
Granted the Hudson is a lot cleaner now than it was 50 years ago when it used to catch on fire, but the Lifestraw is not able to filter out chemical pollution.
How long did it take to drink that glass of water at the end of the video?
Less than a minute.
Will it still be clean if i drink from a very, i mean VERY dirty river?
See that photo on the page of kids drinking from a filthy puddle? That puddle is not only host to millions of bacteria, but it has also been shared with animals. You won't find much dirtier water than that.
How much does it weigh?
The LifeStraw weighs only 2 ounces (56 g).
So if I got stuck on an island or somewhere in Africa, and we find water, would I be able to drink the funky water? lol just incase
You laugh, but that's actually exactly what this product was designed for.
Does this protect against coronavirus?
This product cannot filter viruses or chemicals.
So recently I saw this video [redacted]
Why did it not work? Did she do something wrong?
Yes, she did. Because her expectations, and therefore her application, were misguided, she did not get the best results. The LifeStraw does not filter chemicals, so all of the tar and nicotine absorbed by the water is going to remain in the water. The LifeStraw was designed to filter bacteria and detritus from water, not chemically treat water into water that is pure and taste-free.
The LifeStraw is meant to filter dirt, sediment, bacteria, and parasites from water so that it is safe to drink in an emergency situation. That's it. It is not, nor has it ever claimed to be, a device which will make chemically polluted water safe to drink.
The LifeStraw is meant to filter dirt, sediment, bacteria, and parasites from water so that it is safe to drink in an emergency situation. That's it. It is not, nor has it ever claimed to be, a device which will make chemically polluted water safe to drink.
Will it still taste weird?
In most cases yes it will, but keep in mind that this is a survival tool and not an alternative to readily available drinking water.
I'm asuming the life straw doesn't regulate pH so does that mean not EVERY water source is safe?
That's right. There seems to be a lot of confusion about what the LifeStraw is supposed to do, so I'll do my best to clarify as best as possible.
The LifeStraw's primary purpose is to allow people to drink from naturally occurring bodies of fresh water safely by filtering out the bacteria that live in it. This does not mean that people should take their LifeStraw and head down to the nearest chemical plant runoff area.
The LifeStraw's primary purpose is to allow people to drink from naturally occurring bodies of fresh water safely by filtering out the bacteria that live in it. This does not mean that people should take their LifeStraw and head down to the nearest chemical plant runoff area.
Could you make a video of you using the lifestraw to prove that this product actually works please? Its not that I don't think this is real, it is just I don't want to die.
We already have. The LifeStraw has been in use around the world for several years now and has won a ton of awards for its contribution to humanitarian efforts. I was actually able to find some really incredible footage of the LifeStraw being used in Africa by searching for it on YouTube.
Does it really work?
We would not risk our reputation or waste our time with a product like this if it didn't work. There's absolutely no incentive for us to exaggerate the abilities of this or any other product, especially when they're marketed as life saving devices.
Can this LifeStraw collect sand, so I don’t have to drink water with sand in it.
That's right. Sand would not be able to pass through the filter.
Does it filter bleach?
No. As we've mentioned previously, the LifeStraw cannot remove chemicals from the water, nor can it remove molecules which are bound to the water. It's only meant to filter debris, bacteria, parasites, and other detritus.
How do I know when to replace?
You'll know because the straw will be too clogged to draw any more water through it.
Does it make the water taste good (Does it still taste like lakewater)
It will certainly taste better than it would without being filtered but it would be unrealistic to expect store-bought bottle water levels of flavor.
I have had a life straw for 8-10 years and never used, its still in its original wrapper, is there an expiry date\shelf life? we are going to India and would like to take it
The manufacturer has told us that as long as the Life Straw is kept in its original packaging and is never opened that it can be stored indefinitely. So to answer your question, yes, it should be fine.
Does the bottle come with a LifeStraw? Or do you need to buy the bottle and the LifeStraw separately?
The bottle comes with its own LifeStraw filter but it is not the same as the individual LifeStraw. It's built specifically for the bottle.
Can it be used in water sources that have been polluted, like the Ohio river? If not, how could you have drank the Mississippi river?
The Mississippi River isn't that bad, really. It looks gross because of all the sediments in the river, but in terms of chemicals, it's actually quite clean.
How many years can the life straw be use on a regular bases?
The lifespan of the LifeStraw is not measured in years, months, or days; rather, it's lifespan is determined by how much water it is able to filter. A single LifeStraw can filter 264 gallons (enough for a person to live for a year).
You've said that odors and dissolved chemicals can remain in the water; does this mean when you drank urine and vomit, it still tasted like urine and vomit, just bacteria free?
Pretty much. The LifeStraw isn't meant to turn disgusting water into perfectly clear water like you buy in bottles. It's an emergency device for when you have to choose between death or unpleasant water.
You said throw it out when you have drunk 1,000 litres of water, but how will you know? Once you've filtered more than that will you just know by getting sick?
You'll know because the filter will be too clogged to allow water through.
What should I do if a leaf or something gets stuck inside. Should i run it under running water
Something that large would not get stuck in the LifeStraw. If you somehow manage it, you can pull it out with your fingers.
Can you drink normal water?
You can, but there's no need to filter water that is already clean. You'd just be creating more work for yourself and prematurely wearing out the filter.
How many years do lifestraw can be stored without using?
Though the packaging indicates a specific "Best By" date, the manufacturer has told us that if left unopened the LifeStraw can be stored indefinitely.
Does it filter out lead, fluoride and metals from tap water
No. As we've stated several times, the LifeStraw cannot filter things that have bonded with water on the molecular level. It was designed for one purpose: to remove dangerous debris, bacteria, and parasites from natural sources of water. The LifeStraw will NOT remove chemicals, heavy metals, or salt.
How do you know when you have finished 1000 liters on the life straw?
When it no longer works. The LifeStraw doesn't become less effective after 1,000 liters; rather, it stops working altogether.
Can this life straw filter sea water?
No it cannot. The person who is able to create a hand-held device that can quickly and easily turn seawater into freshwater will be an overnight billionaire for solving every potential water shortage problem.
Can it filter soapy water? Or greywater? (Water from washing machines)
No it cannot. Sorry!
1 With the bottle does it come with a regular life straw or is it modified for the bottle. 2 Can the lifestraw detach from the bottle and be used as a regular life straw.
The bottle's LifeStraw is modified specifically for the bottle. No, it cannot be detached and used as a regular LifeStraw. You should buy the style of LifeStraw that you expect to actually use. If you're not in an emergency situation, the bottle may be the best option.
So are you saying, this will mean I will receive no illness, from drinking from almost any source of water?
Obviously you need to consider the source of water. The LifeStraw will filter out 99.9% of all bacteria, but it will NOT filter viruses or chemicals. Fortunately, viruses don't last terribly long on their own in water, so as long as you aren't drinking downstream from a chemical plant runoff site, you should be fine.
Is there any way to put the water filtered from it into a container to drink from?
You can, but it would require a bit of backwashing. The LifeStraw was designed as an emergency device for people in the wilderness or devastated areas to drink directly from natural sources of water; not as a means of purifying their tap water and serving it to guests.
Can I use it to filter dirty tap water?
Absolutely! The LifeStraw would be perfect in that application.
How can you tell if it's time to discard the LifeStraw? Is there some indicator that shows up when it's filter is "used up" so to speak?
There's no indicator. According to the manufacturer, you'll know it's time to dispose of it when you can no longer draw water through it.
Is it in Australia dollars or American dollars?
The currency shown on our website corresponds with the country you've selected on our site. If you've clicked the little flag in the bottom-left corner of the site and chosen Australia, then all of the prices will be shown in AUD.
Can it filter saltwater?
No it cannot. We mention this in the Frequently Asked Questions section on the page above.
Ohio has managed to contaminate all its natural water with heavy metals. Does lifestraw work on those? Also, it should work on stagnant sitting water, right?
No it cannot. Elements that have bound to the water molecules at the molecular level cannot simply be filtered out. The LifeStraw is only able to remove floating detritus, parasites, bacteria, and other microbes. It cannot, for example, remove salt or lead from water.
Would it be safe to drink rainwater that comes off the roof if caught in a clean plastic trashcan?
There are easier ways to collect rainwater at home, but it would still be safe to do that.
How long can one person use it?
Each LifeStraw can filter up to 264 gallons.
How do you know when it's not good anymore and how would you replace the water bottle life straw?
You'll know because you'll no longer be able to draw water through the straw.
Does it filter all the good minerals you want in water too?
Those "good minerals" aren't usually floating in water and are usually bound to the water at the molecular level, so they will pass through the filter.
Keep in mind that the LifeStraw is an emergency device, not something you need to use every day.
Keep in mind that the LifeStraw is an emergency device, not something you need to use every day.
Since it doesn't filter chemicals, wouldn't it dangerous to use it in an enviroment wich isn't very ecologically clean?
I certainly wouldn't drink it downstream of a manufacturing facility, but most ponds, lakes, and other naturally occurring bodies of water should be safe.
What happens if you drink milk through the lifestraw?
You'll get milk out the other end.
How do you get rid of plastic taste? Washing has not helped. Can't find it mentioned anywhere.
It will fade over time. The Lifestraw wasn't designed to make perfectly clear and entirely flavorless water; it was designed to make otherwise unsafe water safe to drink when in an emergency situation. The water itself is travelling through a very densely packed synthetic filtration system contained in a plastic tube, so a slight plastic taste is perfectly normal.
What if you drink from a lake that has motor boats in it. Would it filter out the gas stuff?
No. We've covered this pretty extensively, but the LifeStraw cannot filter chemicals. It can only remove things floating in the water that aren't actually bound to it on a molecular level. It can remove amoebas, bacteria, and debris but not other chemicals.
Are you sure 100% positive this works because I don't want to die?
We wouldn't risk our reputation and your health if it didn't. LifeStraws have actually been in use for several years in devastated areas, so a quick Google search will yield many results of it in use.
I just bought a Lifestraw Go and the water taste terrible. It is from my tap that taste very good.
That's likely because the filter is new. This flavor you're noticing will fade with time. It is worth mentioning that the LifeStraw and LifeStraw Go weren't really designed to be used the same way as a Britta filter. The filter isn't supposed to make the water taste better; it's supposed to make filthy water safe to drink.
does the lifestraw that comes with a bottle air tight so it won't leak even If I shake it I'm talking about the bottle just saying
Of course. A leaky bottle wouldn't be very useful.
What would happen if I sucked Cola through this thing?
It would still be cola.
Does it filter salt water?
Everything but the salt. You cannot drink sea water with the LifeStraw.
I have looked through the questions and there is one question you have never answered straight forward; what does it taste like. Its always "It may not be perfectly flavorless" or "a lot better". What does it taste like compared to normal water???
The LifeStraw wasn't designed to make sewage taste like Evian. How the water tastes will depend on where it's coming from and whether or not there are naturally occurring flavors. Water from a well, for example, might taste slightly sulfuric no matter how much you filter it despite being safe to drink.
Do you ship to Singapore?
Yes, we ship internationally.
Do you send to Brazil?
Yes, we ship internationally.
When you drink water from dirty, disgusting water, can you taste it?
The LifeStraw isn't going to make muddy lake water taste like bottled water, but then again it's not supposed to either. It's a survival tool made specifically to make water drinkable so that you do not die of dehydration.
I've heard that it is extremely hard to drink out of. Is this true?
It's harder to drink through than a regular drinking straw, but it's far from being difficult to drink through.
What country is it made in?
LifeStraw is manufactured by a Switzerland-based company specializing in disease control products for developing countries.
In the video, you guys shot a scene of a guy drinking from the toilet... did he really drink the toilet water?
Yes, you can drink from a toilet with the LifeStraw if you absolutely have to.
How does this work?
With a very efficient built-in filtration system.
How would I know when I have filtered 1000 liters of water?
There is no magic button to show when your 1000 litres are up, because a LifeStraw can be effective well beyond the 1000 litres. If water is coming through, the water is filtered safely.
Is it safe to filter out hot water?
Not if it's so hot that it can burn you. Otherwise it really doesn't matter.
Is the water that you blow out of the lifestraw safe to drink?
Probably but we wouldn't recommend it because it hasn't been run completely through the filter.
How long does the LifeStraw normally last
A single LifeStraw can filter 264 gallons (enough for a person to live for a year).
It claims to make water clean but is it safe to drink?
That's the entire point. It cleans water so that it can be made safe to drink.
How much of the taste is filtered out?
That will depend on the type of pollutants in the water. This is a survival device and as such is only meant to make the water safe to drink. It may still taste weird.
After you use it, do still need fresh water to clean it inside?
You do not need to flush it out. The manufacturer understands that if you have fresh water to clean the LifeStraw then you probably don't need the LifeStraw in the first place. As we mention in our video and web write-up, you only need to blow the excess water out of the LifeStraw after use.
Can I use it to filter water from Mexico while traveling there for two weeks and come home healthy and not infected by their parasite and bacteria that gives you travelers diarrhea?
Yes. Parasites and bacteria are exactly the kinds of things that the LifeStraw is meant to protect you from.
The price is not good for developing countries. Are you doing anything to help those in need?
The manufacturer is already involved with getting the LifeStraw to places in need.
I've not seem it mentioned; does the LifeStraw filter out algae?
Probably because it's implied by the other, more minuscule, pollutants that it can filter. Algae would not make it through the filter.
What material is used to make the straw itself?
The body of the LifeStraw is made of food-safe plastic.
Does it filter viruses?If so, can it filter the worlds smallest virus?(You can check Wikipedia for that, type smallest organisms)
No, the LifeStraw does not filter viruses. Fortunately there aren't too many waterborne viruses that you need to worry about since most waterborne illnesses are caused by bacteria, something that the LifeStraw was designed specifically to combat.
Does the lifestraw filter out worms and their eggs? Thank you!
Yes it does. In fact, parasites are one of the things that the Lifestraw was specifically designed to filter out. You can find this information in the Features and Specs section located at the top of the page.
Hi, will a lifestraw filter excess Calcium and Magnesium from very hard water? Thanks!
No because that's not what it was designed to do. Ideally, the LifeStraw is to remove bacteria, parasites, and particulate from naturally water sources in the event of an emergency. It is not a chemical filter.
When is the time to clean the straw?
You do not need to "clean" the LifeStraw. Simply blow out any excess water that is still in the LifeStraw and then seal the cap.
Once you reach your 1000 liter limit, can you blow into it as you told us to clean the filter, then drink more water?
No. Blowing through the straw is only to expel any water that is trapped in the straw. If you could do what you're describing then it wouldn't have a limit.
How do I know that I have drunk 264 gallons of water? What will happen if I continue to drink over the limit?
By that point the filter will be too clogged to drink through it anymore.
How long does it works? Would be good to know just in case I buy one and leave it in the car for future disasters. It would be sad if it does not work then.
LifeStraws have indefinite shelf lives if left unopened. Once you begin to use them they are capable of filtering up to 264 gallons of water.
so you can drink anything except the ocean?
You can drink any water that hasn't been chemically altered or polluted.
If the product does not work do we get a refund?
Please refer to this page for information regarding our return policy.
When you buy the bottle does it come with the filter or do i buy both seperatly?
The filter is included with the bottle.
lifestraw should be change after 0ne year. my question is do we need to change the whole pen or just filter and if the whole pen needs to dispose off how we can dispose also can we recycle it?
The whole device would need to be thrown away. The LifeStraw was really only meant for emergency situations, so it's not exactly in the same category as filters that you use on a regular basis where replacing only the filter is necessary.
I am really interested in this device and may I say I love your work. Also my question is that what if we don't want the bottle or straws but decide to raise money at my school and give it to you guys? Is that possible for you guys?
As awesome as that sounds we wouldn't be able to accept it. You should contact the LifeStraw manufacturer (LifeStraw) to see if they'd be interested.
So, if you're supposed to blow out the excess water from your Life Straw after drinking from it to clean out it's filter, what do you do to clean out the filter of the Life Straw Bottle?
You don't. The filter is antimicrobial, meaning that it will not allow anything to fester inside.
Can the Lifestraw filter "Pool Water" (Water that has chlorine)
No. As we've stated previously, the LifeStraw cannot remove chemicals from water.
what are some sources of water that are not safe to drink from.
Any source of water that has been chemically polluted.
Where does all the bacteria and filth go once it is filtered out?
They're captured by the filter where they die.
Could you drink pool water with it because I go to the pool a lot and I want to not have to bring a something to drink out of.
No, it does not dechlorinate pool water. On a side note, that is almost more disgusting than drinking from a roadside puddle.
How would you know if you used 1000L? What happens if I die because this has been used more than 1000L?
You'll know because the LifeStraw will no longer work. Once the filter has been completely used, that is filled with everything it has filtered from water, water will no longer be able to flow through it.
What was in the toilet in the Meet The New Guys video?
You don't want to know.
Which end do I sip out of?
The end with the small nozzle at the top.
If I were to mix food coloring with water, would the food coloring show in the filtered water?
Probably not on the first pass through, but if you kept refiltering the water the color may begin to fade.
Does this work in faucet/hose?
No. As you can see in the photos, it's meant to be drank through, not hooked up to a faucet or spigot.
Is this pure awesome?
The LifeStraw is perhaps among our most awesome products.
99.9999 is not 100. what does it not filter?
No product or process can filter 100% of all contaminants. To make that claim it would have to be 100% effective all the time, every time. Since that's an impossible claim to make for several reasons, the manufacturer settled on this figure. You'll also see it on pretty much any antibacterial or filtration system in the world.
Can I use already clean water with this thing?
You can, but it's not at all necessary.
How does the straw work? Like how does the filter work inside the straw?
We can't go into the specifics because of the proprietary design and time reasons, but it's essentially an incredibly small and efficient filter.
Could I really just drink out of a random creek?
Yes. As long as the source of water is fresh water (not salt water), you can drink safely from it with the LifeStraw.
Do you have to change the filter?
The filters cannot be replaced. When the unit no longer draws water, it is to be disposed.
Can be used to drink in lakes?
Yes, it can filter any natural water source (except seawater) into drinkable water.
What is the materials in making lifestraw?
The LifeStraw is made from BPA-free plastic and chemical-free filtration membranes.
Can you give me an example of the 0.0001 percent of bacteria that the lifestraw can't filter? Just curious...
It's not any particular bacteria. You see this on soaps as well because it's impossible to guarantee 100% destruction or filtration of everything.
How long is the Lifestraw's lifespan?can it use more than 1 year?
Absolutely. The filter within the LifeStraw can treat over 250 gallons of water before the filter becomes unusable. There isn't a specific amount of time that the filter must be used within.
I have a community size lifestraw filter, a bottle filter from lifestraw...have flushed them numerous times with clean tap water but the water that comes out all tastes terrible like it came out of an plastic hose. How do we get good tasting water?
Keep in mind that the water is being run through a dense filter packed in a plastic housing, so it's not unreasonable to expect a slight hint of plastic when you're drinking from it. The LifeStraw's sole purpose is to filter bacteria, parasites, and detritus from water to make it safe for human consumption. This does not necessarily mean that you're going to get water that is odorless or tasteless.
Can I use it to drink tap water? Tap water in my house wasn't purified.
You can, but it's not necessary unless your tap is providing murky, debris and bacteria-ridden water. If that is the case, then the LifeStraw would be exactly the thing you need.
Urine has a large salt concentration - how does it filter that out? Thanks
It doesn't. The LifeStraw was designed to filter out bacteria, debris, and other potentially harmful detritus. It can't make any chemical changes to what passes through it.
How can I tell if I have reached the 1,000 liter limit? Is there a counter or something?
1,000 liters isn't a rule, it's an average. Typically by that point the filter will be so clogged with debris that it simply doesn't work anymore.
How do you know if the water contains chemicals. Or its polluted?
Unless you have water testing kits you'll just have to be observant and use a little common sense. Are you downstream from a factory? It's probably polluted. Is it a lake in the middle of the forest? Then it's not likely to have a whole lot of chemicals in it.
What if I drink something besides water?
Nothing. Whatever goes in one end will come out the other. The LifeStraw is simply a filter; nothing more.
Does the temperature of the water change the filtering?
Not unless the water is too cold or too hot. If the water is too cold then it will be frozen solid and unable to go in the straw at all; if it's too hot it will scald your face.
If you were to drink your urine with it, would it still taste like urine, or would it taste like water?
It would taste a little better but it wouldn't taste like fresh bottled water or anything. The LifeStraw simply makes water safe to drink; it doesn't turn swamp water into Aquafina.
Can it remove any parasites??
Yes it can! In fact, that's one of the features we mention in the description throughout the page above. The LifeStraw was designed specifically with parasites and bacteria in mind.
If the LifeStraw cannot filter chemicals, then how is urine safe to drink using it?
Urine is safe to drink even if you don't filter it. Filtering it just makes it a little more palatable.
Do the fibers in the straw snap and break it they dry up?
No. In fact, you're encouraged to blow as much excess water out as possible to prevent bacterial growth.
Do you ship to Sweden?
Yes, we ship internationally.
do you deliver to Ireland
Yes, we ship worldwide.
Can you use to filter mixed alcoholic drinks that may have been mixed with water/ice that contained bacteria and/or parasites.
It will not separate the alcohol from the water/ice, but it may help reduce the amount of bacteria that survived the pure alcohol bath.
Is the lifestraw in the bottle any different to the original lifestraw? Or does it just look different?
The only difference is that you can collect and bottle the water. The filtration system is exactly the same.
If used only during emergencies, will Lifestraw continue to last until it has filtered up to 1000 liters even though it may take years to do that?
That is correct.
Is this product FDA approved?
Yes it is. The LifeStraw and all of its materials are compliant with FDA regulations.
Can you expand more how buying a LifeStraw through Vat19 would give others water that's drinkable? Does LifeStraw donate one straw for every straw we buy or work to build wells that access clean drinking water?
We actually cover this throughout the description on the page. With every purchase of a LifeStraw, the manufacturer donates a unit to a child in need for an entire school year. The LifeStraw was developed as an emergency device first and as a retail product second. Customers purchasing the LifeStraw for emergency or survival needs is what funds the manufacturer's endeavors across the globe.
Is it possible for the filter to break?
Not with normal care and use. Stomping on it would cause it to break.
Does the lifestraw filter out viruses?
No, but fortunately there aren't too many waterborne viruses. The most common waterborne virus that people come into contact with is hepatitis, but that is mostly found in raw sewage.
What the LifeStraw does do, however, is filter out bacteria, amoebas, and detritus that you'll find in naturally occurring bodies of water. These are the real killers and are exactly what the LifeStraw was designed to combat against.
So to reiterate, the LifeStraw wasn't designed to make drinking out of a Port-o-Potty viable; it was designed to be able to drink from natural, albeit unsafe, bodies of fresh water.
What the LifeStraw does do, however, is filter out bacteria, amoebas, and detritus that you'll find in naturally occurring bodies of water. These are the real killers and are exactly what the LifeStraw was designed to combat against.
So to reiterate, the LifeStraw wasn't designed to make drinking out of a Port-o-Potty viable; it was designed to be able to drink from natural, albeit unsafe, bodies of fresh water.
Can the inside get moldy? Stored mine away wet for a while and it smells like mildew. Not sure if it is safe anymore...
Not if you blow out the excess water and cap the straw. The filter itself is antimicrobial, so even if something were to grow in it, it would not survive or leave the straw.
How much water can the water bottle filter?
Each LifeStraw can filter up to 264 gallons of water.
I have brought this product and I am fining it difficult to drink through, is that normal?
The LifeStraw is essentially a giant filter that you're drawing water through. It's not going to be as easy to drink through as a regular straw and was intended to be used in emergency situations. So, to answer your question, yes, it is normal for water to be a little harder to draw through the LifeStraw. When you find yourself no longer being able to drink through it, you will know that the LifeStraw has reached the end of its lifespan
I'm a Boy Scout,Would this be good to bring to summer camp in Tennesee
I can't think of any reason why the LifeStraw wouldn't be good to bring on a camping expedition.
What If I Drink something very very very dirty with the lifestraw like mud pool and then drink clean juice or something. Wouldn't the juice past through all the bacteria?
Let me answer both of your questions at once: any bacteria captured by the LifeStraw cannot leave the LifeStraw.
Since it filters water is there a waste compartment where all the dirt and bacteria is and if so how do i clean it?
It's collected in the filter. The filter itself is antimicrobial, which means that bacteria cannot live in it. It's not meant to be cleaned.
If I use the life straw to drink juice, will it come out with no flavor or color?
No.
Will the speed in which you slurp up the water have any kind of impact on how thoroughly said water is filtered?
Not at all. How fast the water is moving doesn't change the size of the filter or the microbes that it's filtering.
what chance is there that you can still get sick from drinking uncleaned water? My father loves this product :)
Natural water, like the sort you find in rivers, lakes, and springs, is chock full of bacteria. There's a good chance that drinking water directly from its source will make you sick.
Can I do anything to reset it after 1000L?
No. The LifeStraw is disposable and cannot be "renewed" in any way.
Is there a way to tell when you have used up all 1000 litres?
There is no magic button to show when your 1000 litres are up, because a LifeStraw can be effective well beyond the 1000 litres. If water is coming through, the water is filtered safely.
Does it work with ocean and sea water?
No. Saltwater cannot be made fresh with the LifeStraw.
So, if I wanted to... Could I use it to drink from my toilet bowl?
Only if you really wanted to. Chances are that if you have the plumbing required to have a toilet in the first place there is probably a better source of water close by.
Does the lifestraw affect pH levels? If the lifestraw affects pH levels, how does it affect the pH levels?
No it does not. It simply filters contaminants out of the water.
I am absolutely loving some of these answers! “The wet part”. ?? My son used his to drink milk, then left it in the trunk overnight and already starting to spoil. Should I replace the filter or just clean?
Were it me I would replace it, but cleaning should suffice as long as it is thoroughly flushed out. The filter is antimicrobial, which means that any bacteria that has started to grow will not be able to thrive.
Will it work on water collected in a rain barrel? What if it comes off the roof through the gutters?
The physical location of the water doesn't make any difference. If you can put the LifeStraw into the water in question then it will work.
Is the water bottle made of glass? If not than what is it made out of?
No, it's made of plastic. Glass would not be a good material to make a portable water bottle out of.
I placed my water bottle filter in the dish washer, do I need to discard it?
It might be okay but we would definitely recommend getting a new filter before attempting to use it in the field again. You are not supposed to put the filter in the dishwasher.
Does the Lifestraw filter listeria?
Listeria is a bacteria, which is exactly what the LifeStraw was designed to combat, so the answer would definitely be a yes.
How do you keep the mouthpiece clean if there is no clean water around?
Wipe it off. You're not going to get sick from your own saliva.
If you buy a straw and a bottle, and the straw that comes with the bottle falls out, can you use your seperate straw in the bottle instead?
No you cannot. They are not the same shape.
What is the LifeStraw made of?
Is it plastic or metal?
Plastic.
If you had some radioactive water that got contaminated by a nuclear bomb, would the life straw be able to filter the radioactive chemicals out of the water so it is safe to drink?
Chemicals? No. Radioactive fallout, such as contaminated soil, is another story. It would remove the fallout material but we cannot say that it would be safe to drink.
What is the 00.0001% Of the chemical that It can't filter
It's not any particular thing. You see this on soaps too because it's impossible to guarantee 100% of anything.
About how many years is 1,000 liters?
There's no definitive answer to that because individual use will vary from person to person. This is why its lifespan is measured by the amount of water that passes through the filter rather than the number of years.
If microfiltration cannot remove salt and weak organic acids such as urea, would one really be able to drink urine through the straw? I notice you don't directly answer this question, you simply link to a third party video.
Sure you can. It will still taste like urine but there's nothing physically stopping you from doing it.
How does it work. =)??
Simply put, the LifeStraw has a very dense filter which catches any impurities or particulates floating in the water.
Can more than one person use it?
Sure. It might be something of a hygiene issue, but if you're comfortable with the other person's saliva on the end of the LifeStraw then by all means share.
What if you tried drinking juice, milk, or soda with it?
Nothing would happen. Juice, milk, or soda would come out of the other end.
Does the bottle filter the water?
It has a LifeStraw built right into it, so yes.
can i drink water from a swimming pool that had chlorine and possibly algae in it from not being able to clean the pool for several months??
No. As we've stated before, the LifeStraw cannot filter chemicals.
Do I throw out the life straw when it stops working,or when the water doesn't taste "the best" anymore??????
When it stops working. The LifeStraw simply makes natural sources of water safe to drink; it does not necessarily make it taste like fresh bottled water.
How would I know if the life straw is no longer filtering the impurities?
When you are no longer able to draw water through it. There is no guesswork that needs to be done; the LifeStraw will simply stop working.
Can you drink hose water Vat 19? Also the water from lifestraw is pretty good!
In most places, hose water comes from the same source as your indoor tap water, so yes. The problem isn't so much the water as it is the filthy, disgusting hose that it has to flow through.
Can it make rain water drinkable? Because its dirty.
Rainwater is usually pretty clean unless you live someplace with an incredible amount of air pollution. As we've said before, you cannot filter chemicals from water with the LifeStraw.
My kid got a hold of my Lifestraw Go and chewed the mouth piece a bit. It's now easier to drink from. Is the mouth piece part of the filter, or is it still safe to use?
The actual filter is inside the straw.
Is the bottle 22 ounces with the straw or does the straw take up some of the 22 ounces.
The measurement does not include the volume of the straw.
Can you drink salt water and will it be fresh water?
No, it will not filter salt out of sea water.
when you say "salt" water do you mean like tap salt water from a faucet?, or salt that you eat. Whichever one it is ,can the straw be damaged if you try to use it to filter salt water?
Any water with any salt. The LifeStraw cannot desalinate water.
Is it safe to turn the Lifestraw upside-down to help suck the remaining water through the filter before blowing to remove the excess? I fill up my nalgene with stream water to go and often waste stocked-up water by blowing it out as recommended.
Sure. As long as you aren't drinking the water from the wrong end of the LifeStraw it makes no difference how the straw itself is angled.
Can you drink water from a hot tub?
We'd rather drink from the Ganges after a mass funeral than drink from a hot tub. Hot tubs are usually chlorinated, so no, you cannot safely drink water from a hot tub with the Lifestraw.
Do all products have a guarantee if there is a factory defect?
Yes. All products are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Does the Lifestraw ever run out I mean like if I sip a 1000 litres of water, the next time when I try to drink from rivers or etc, will the Lifestraw still produces clean water?
We cover this in the description at the top of the page. Each LifeStraw can filter up to 264 gallons of water. After that it will no longer filter water.
I've had my life straw for 8 months just went to use it today
For the first time and it was nearly impossible to suck water through it what's wrong with this thing?
Nothing. The first sip is always the hardest because people expect the LifeStraw to be as easy to draw through as a regular straw. It is not. You'll have to suck on the LifeStraw for a few seconds (up to a minute in some cases) for the water to work its way through the filter, but once it does it will become much easier to drink through. For suction, use your mouth rather than your lungs.
Can it filter irradiated water?
No, the LifeStraw cannot filter out radiation.
How does it affect taste? Does drinking from different sources affect the taste?
It might not be perfectly flavorless, but it will be a lot better than without the LifeStraw.
how can we develope this to take the salt out of the ocean water.
The process to desalinate is extremely complicated and expensive. You can't just filter out the salt from saltwater.
How do you clean the LifeStraw?
Simply blow out the excess water and replace the cap. You can rinse off the outside with water.
What does this not work through, like chimicals and such?
That is correct, but you're not supposed to drink from bodies of water that are chemically polluted. The LifeStraw was designed to make natural, but undrinkable, water safe to drink.
Can it filter bracken water?
Yes, it would.
My mom says that bacteria's going to grow in it because of the moisture, is this true?
No. The filter itself is antibacterial. Even if bacteria did manage to grow there wouldn't be any way for it to leave the filter. Bear in mind that it's effectively straining bacteria anyways.
If I want to buy say 500 of these things and send then send them to say, an Afghan camp to help get clean water, could I get a discount?
You may review our bulk purchasing guidelines here.
Can it also filter out color?
After multiple filterings, yes, it can clear up color from dyes. Keep in mind that playing around with colored water wasn't really what this product was designed for. The LifeStraw was developed specifically for making stagnant and/or turbid water safe to drink.
What if there are small insects in a pond?
They will be captured by the filter obviously. Insects, parasites, and even bacteria are no match for the amazingly effective filter.
Is it difficult drinking through the lifestraw more then other straws?
No. As you can see in the photo, even children can operate a LifeStraw.
Does this work in flood water?
Yes, as long as the flood water is fresh and not salt water.
Why does the bottle is discontinued?
We currently have no plans to obtain more inventory in the future as the manufacturer may no longer be making this item.
are you able
to drink from a puddle?
Yes, this is exactly the kind of thing this product is designed for!
Is it dishwasher safe?
The Lifestraw is not dishwasher safe.
Hi,
Can you use it with desalinated water? Thanks
So... water that is not salt water? Absolutely.
Can it filter lead & iron? (Like water in flint)
No it cannot. The LifeStraw can remove bacteria and particulate from water, but it cannot clean water that has been chemically polluted.
How do you recommend storing the life straw and bottle (separately or screwed tight into the bottle)?
When not in use the filter should be removed and any excess moisture blown out.
Can you use it as a normal straw?
The LifeStraw does not work well as an everyday drinking utensil. We do not recommend using the Life Straw with anything other than water.
If I add electrolytes in the water (like Meo product), is it OK with the filter? - not damaging? - electrolytes (like potassium...) go through the filter or are blocked ? Thx
That would be fine. They would go straight through the filter. Please keep in mind that this product is essentially a survival tool, not an everyday product for drinking water.
Does this filter out Hep A?
No. The LifeStraw is only able to filter bacteria, debris, and other detritus. It cannot filter out chemicals or viruses. As long as you're not trying to drink from sources of water that contain raw sewage or feces then you needn't ever worry about contracting Hepatitis A.
The LifeStraw was designed with emergency situations in mind, such as being lost in the wilderness or in an environmental disaster which has destroyed the public water system. Creeks, rivers, puddles, well water, and so on are are what it was designed to be used with. It does not give you license to drink from toilets or filthy water just for the fun of it.
The LifeStraw was designed with emergency situations in mind, such as being lost in the wilderness or in an environmental disaster which has destroyed the public water system. Creeks, rivers, puddles, well water, and so on are are what it was designed to be used with. It does not give you license to drink from toilets or filthy water just for the fun of it.
what happens if you drink soda with the lifestraw (such as coke, Fanta, sprite, exc.)
Soda in - soda out. The Lifestraw doesn't separate liquid mixtures or chemicals.
Do you clean the bottle version the same way you clean the regular straw, or is there an alternate way? :)
Both styles are cleaned the same way. The bottle version obviously has the extra step of washing the bottle itself, but otherwise you only need to blow out the excess water trapped within the filter.
What if our water supply is poisoned on purpose, by some bad guys. Is there any water filtration that can get the poison out and make the water safe to drink? Also, what about after a nuclear bomb goes off? Is there anyway to make the water safe?
That's not what this product was designed to do. It's meant to be able to safely drink from naturally occurring bodies of water, such as lakes or puddles. No, it will NOT remove chemicals from water.
Will lifestraw filter rainwater?
It's not necessary to filter rainwater unless you're collecting it from the ground, but yes, you can use the LifeStraw to drink rainwater.
Do you think it will filter apple juice?
Absolutely. The LifeStraw will remove any bacteria or sediment that happens to be in your apple juice. If you're asking if it will magically transform apple juice into water the answer is no.
How do we clean the filter from the lifestraw water bottle? :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D
The filter does not need to be cleaned. The only maintenance it requires is the expulsion of water when you're done using it. This can be done by blowing air through the LifeStraw.
How long can LifeStraw be stored before use ?(ie. kept in a bugout bag)
Indefinitely. The manufacturer has confirmed that as long as it is kept in its original wrapping you can store the LifeStraw pretty much forever until it is needed.
Are you or will you be able to make a device as LifeStraw to make sea water drinkable ?
No. Desalination of seawater is incredibly difficult. It's not as if the salt is just floating around in water; it's chemically bound to the water. You can't just filter salt out of water.
The person who is able to create a device as simple as the Life Straw which is capable of turning seawater into fresh water will become an overnight billionaire. It would be a scientific achievement on the same level as the discovery of fire or agriculture because it would literally end water shortages on a global scale.
The person who is able to create a device as simple as the Life Straw which is capable of turning seawater into fresh water will become an overnight billionaire. It would be a scientific achievement on the same level as the discovery of fire or agriculture because it would literally end water shortages on a global scale.
Is it possible for the fibers in the straw to snap?
No it is not. Even if they did "snap" it wouldn't have any impact on their ability to filter bacteria.
If the lifestraw was opened and used for a couple of days and then closed not to be used for about a year, without cleaning the filter would it still be safe to use?Also I have heard you will replace a regular lifestraw for a bottle how do I dothat?
It's possible, but we wouldn't recommend it. You should always blow out any excess water before storing your LifeStraw.
Is this made from plastic or metal
The LifeStraw is made of plastic.
I bought this and I put it on my desk. After a while, I forgot about it, and guess what, dust was all over it, even in the filter. After attempting to rinse it, it only became worse. Can I still drink from mine or do I have to buy a new one?
You might want to consider getting a new one. The LifeStraw was designed to be an emergency device rather than something to casually drink from at your desk.
Does the lifestraw also get rid of the bad taste of the water from like rivers or sewers?
Not necessarily. The LifeStraw's purpose isn't to turn river water into store-bought bottled water; it's purpose is to make it safe to drink. Because the LifeStraw cannot filter chemicals or anything else that has bonded with the water on the molecular level, certain pollutants that might cause unpleasant odors or smells might remain.
Did you get sick after drinking in the toilet and every where else? Don't think of money now joust tell the truth plz
I'm not sure what your impression of Vat19 is, but we would never lie just for the sake of a few extra sales. We wouldn't risk our reputation like that.
To answer your question, none of us became sick after drinking the things you saw in the video. The whole purpose of the LifeStraw is to prevent that sort of thing from happening!
To answer your question, none of us became sick after drinking the things you saw in the video. The whole purpose of the LifeStraw is to prevent that sort of thing from happening!
Will it filter water from the shower or from the Tap?
Yes, but that water is clean to begin with. If you're asking if it will replace existing filters, such as those made by Britta, the answer is no.
I got a life straw and tried to suck water through and I can't even pull anything through. I followed instructions and still, it's like airtight, and yes, I took the cap off both sides ??
The first draw is always the hardest. It will seem like nothing is moving, but we can assure you that it is. The method we found that works the best is to suck as hard as you can, put your tongue over the opening of the straw to prevent the water from going back down while you catch your breath, and repeat.
if you detach the straw from the lifestraw bottle, could you drink it like a normal water bottle? because i have the bottle and i dont want to wear out the filter unnecessarily.
You can, but why would you buy it just for the bottle? You should only use it in emergency situations.
Can it filter soapy water?
No it cannot. The LifeStraw cannot filter chemicals from water.
Does the lifestraw filter out color because I dropped mine before an experiment I was doing with it and the straw didn't filter the color at all.
No it does not. It filters debris, not added chemicals.
Hey Vat19, is it possible to replace or clean out the filter?
The LifeStraw was designed to be disposable. Once it has expired you will need to buy a new one. Since it is meant to be used in emergency situations, we can't imagine burning through one very quickly.
i tried drinking coffee with this, and nothing came through. i sucked as hard as i could and nothing came. it was the same deal with water beforehand. but when i gave up, tipped it, coffee came out. what happened? why wont it work?
The LifeStraw is not as instant as a regular straw. It will require a lot of suction to get the water through the filter, but once you do it will become easier to drink through.
When will I know when to replace it?
When the LifeStraw no longer works. Once the filter has been completely used, that is filled with everything it has filtered from water, water will no longer be able to flow through it.
Can it filter something thick like mud?
It can but it would be exceptionally difficult to drink through a filter that is clogged with mud. The idea is to filter water.
can you drink 99.99% pure alcohol with it or is it only fresh h2o
You can but it still wouldn't be safe.
If I buy the 30 bottle it comes with the straw right?
It has a stray built into it, yes.
Will it be able to make dirty water TASTE like normal water.
Since a lot of the pollutants which cause the water to taste foul will be removed, yes, it will taste much better. Keep in mind however that this is an emergency device and not a toy; it's meant to be used in situations where it's either drink water that might taste a little off but be fine to drink or die of dehydration.
Do you ship these in the Philippines?
Yes, we ship internationally.
if you were to mix other liquids with the water what would happen if you drink it
It depends on the liquids. The LifeStraw will remove any bacteria or detritus, but it cannot separate one liquid from another.
I have a pond near my house that has algea and fish and other stuff thats gross living in there can the life straw work with that?
Yes. That is exactly the sort of "natural source of water" that the LifeStraw was designed to be used with.
Will the LifeStraw filter water from an oil spill?
Oil separates from water, but no, we do not recommend attempting to drink from bodies of water that have experienced oil spills.
Since it uses a filter mechanism, would it last longer if used with clearer, less murky water than it would if used on dark, muddy, brackish water?
The filter can only hold so much. Obviously the filter will last a bit longer with relatively clear water than it will with water that is heavy with sediment or other particles, but not by a whole lot. The average lifespan listed on the page takes this into consideration.
What happen if there were a bug to go in the straw?
Nothing. It would be caught by the filter.
The water supplied to my area comes through the chalk hills, meaning for cloudy and gross water, would it filter that? Also, you keep saying it's not a play thing- but I would buy one just knowing that one had been donated to a person that needs it.
You absolutely can. The LifeStraw will definitely filter your water, as chalk sediment is a lot larger than the even smaller bacteria it is able to filter with ease.
How do you know whats salt water or not sorry little bit of the topic :D
If it's coming from an ocean or sea, it's salt water. If it's coming from a river, spring, or lake, it's likely not salt water. Seriously, you can tell immediately by the smell and taste of water if it has salt in it or not.
Would it make dirty cloudy water into clear water when you drink it? Or will it be the same color with no bacteria??
Yes, it will. Please refer to the picture we have titled "Dramatically reduces cloudiness" about halfway down the page to see for yourself.
If you go #2 in the toilet then go to the toilet and drink will it fillter??
If you have the indoor plumbing necessary for a toilet with water in it then you probably already have access to water that doesn't have poop in it.
I swear I saw this on a different website earlier this year.
It's certainly possible, as this product has been making news for some time now. Bear in mind that we do not actually manufacture the products we sell.
Does the each lifestraw also gives clean water to all the people in the Philippines after what happened with the Typoon?
Situations like that are exactly why the LifeStraw was created.
Does it work with salt water?
No. The LifeStraw does not turn saltwater into fresh water.
Can it be used with hose water?
Sure, it can be used with any freshwater source.
Can I drink hot water with this?
As long as it's not scalding, sure. We don't know why you'd want to though. You could just let the water cool down first.
Can it filter mineral, copper and metal material out of the water?
If they're actual bits of metal in the water then yes. Life Straws are not able to remove metal at the molecular level.
Can you drink hot liquids, like coffee, with a Lifestraw?
You can but there's really no need to. Water that has been boiled is likely safe to drink.
Will I get sick if I use this product with really dirty water?
As long as the water is not chemically polluted then you should be fine. The whole point of the LifeStraw is to be able to safely drink from unclean sources of water.
What is BPA?
BPA stands for bisphenol A. It's a chemical used to make some plastics which has been linked to some forms of cancer. It has largely been removed from the consumer market.
Does the water bottle with filter use the newest tech from life straw, using replaceable activated carbon capsule to reduce bad taste?
Our stock comes directly from the manufacturer, which means we're always up-to-date with any changes they make to a product. The LifeStraw Bottle we carry is the same one found on their site and does include the 2-stage filtration system.
Would the filter work for water contaminated with oil?
We wouldn't recommend drinking from a puddle with oil in it unless you had absolutely no other choice. Water and oil do not mix, but they're both liquid, so they will both go through the straw.
How long does it last if you use it once and then not use it for a while.
As long as you expel all the water it should last indefinitely. The LifeStraw's lifespan is determined by the amount of water it has filtered, not by how long it has been in use.
My son drank soda through the straw and now it's clogged. It was brand new, has he ruined it?
Possibly. You can try flushing it with water but we're afraid that the corn syrup will have gummed up the filter contained within the straw.
Can you even drink liquid poop?
We definitely wouldn't recommend it. The LifeStraw was designed as a survival tool to allow you to safely drink from natural bodies of water without having to worry about bacteria and parasites. It is definitely not an excuse to drink poop.
How do I use the LifeStraw bottle?
Pretty much the same way that you'd use any other water bottle. Simply fill it with water and then suck the water through the straw at the top.
Does it filter alcohol?
From what? It doesn't change alcohol into water if that's what you're asking. If your alcohol happens to have a bunch of dirt and sediment in it, yes, it will remove the dirt and sediment.
Does the LifeStraw portable water bottle last more than the regular LifeStraw?
Each LifeStraw can filter up to 264 gallons of water. This applies to both the bottle and the standalone version.
Does the lifestraw remove mold? The reason I ask is that I am allergic to mold (like can't eat cheese or anything even fermented). Most ice cubes bother me and it would be great to be able to drink h20 no matter where I am.
Yes, as the filter is not only insanely dense but also inherently antimicrobial.
Do sell wholesale?
We do not offer wholesale prices. Sorry!
Can you drink soda from it.
You can but there is absolutely no point in doing so.
Does it really work?
Absolutely. There is actually a great deal of information about the LifeStraw online from various news and outdoors sites which confirms this. The technology itself isn't that complicated; it's the delivery system that is unique.
Which one should I choose the bottle or the straw. What's your opinion?
They're both equally great. We suggest going with the one you think will be the most useful for you.
I the life straw go bottle dishwasher safe?
The bottle is but the filter is not. Make sure you remove the filter if you plan on using soap to clean the bottle.
Hey Vat19, has anyone asked this. What bacteria can the LifeStraw NOT filter out?
No one has asked it because it's covered in the description. From the page:
"The filters inside the LifeStraw remove anything 0.2 microns or larger. This means that 99.9999% of bacteria and 99.9% of parasites are extracted from your drinking water."
The reason why it's not 100% isn't because there's a single group of bacteria that are too small, but rather because it is impossible to guarantee 100% for anything. Simply put, there are no bacteria that you will encounter in natural bodies of water that are too small.
"The filters inside the LifeStraw remove anything 0.2 microns or larger. This means that 99.9999% of bacteria and 99.9% of parasites are extracted from your drinking water."
The reason why it's not 100% isn't because there's a single group of bacteria that are too small, but rather because it is impossible to guarantee 100% for anything. Simply put, there are no bacteria that you will encounter in natural bodies of water that are too small.
Can you tell me what kind of water can you drink with the life straw
Any fresh water that has not been chemically polluted. Springs, rivers, creeks, and so on are what the manufacturer had in mind.
What would happen if you tried to drink cough syrup with this?
Absolutely nothing. Cough syrup would come out of the other end.
What would it taste like if you ingested bottled water with this?
Exactly the same. Bottled water has no flavor to speak of.
Does the water taste like tap water when drinking from the straw?
For the most part. Keep in mind that the LifeStraw is a survival tool, not a Brita, so it's possible for odor to remain if the water has come into contact with sulfur.
Is it possible to wash LifeStraw with water?
No, nor is it necessary. Simply blow the excess water out when you're finished drinking.
I've heard that bacteria will grow in it?
There's really no other way to say this: you heard wrong. The filter is antimicrobial, which means that bacteria cannot live in it.
If you realy need to, can you filter your own urine with it?
You should watch our videos. We do something just like that.
Is the LifeStraw bottle BPA free?
Yes, the LifeStraw is BPA free.
Will the LifeStraw filter Giardia?
Yes, as giardia is a parasite. Parasites, bacteria, and debris is exactly what the LifeStraw was designed to combat.
Random question can it filter blood (:
If by "filter blood" you mean "can it turn blood into water" then the answer is no.
Do you have a pump to hook up to the lifestraw if you want to fill a Jug with water for example ?
We do not. The LifeStraw is meant to be a personal survival tool for when nothing else is available. What you're describing is a water filter that you might find at a department store.
From this I knew that it is designed to suck water by mouth. (which has a certain suction rate.) Can we use a suction pump connected to Life Straw to filter water at much higher rate? If so what is maximum possible rate which it can filter water?
The LifeStraw is meant to be a personal survival tool for when nothing else is available. What you're describing is a water filter that you might find at a department store. There's no way to attach a pump to the LifeStraw.
My friend is really scared of using it, what should I tell her?
That the science behind filters such as this has been proven to be effective over the centuries?
How do i know when i have to replace it?
You'll know when you are no longer able to draw water through the LifeStraw.
I live off rainwater direct from the roof to tap. The water gets bugs, dirt & leaf litter in it and undoubtedly bacteria too. Because of this the water from the tap has stuff floating in it and is somtimes brownish. Is this okay for everyday use?
Technically yes, but the LifeStraw was designed to be used in emergency situations. It would make more sense to invest in a more permanent filtration system.
how do you know when the 1000 liters is up
When the filter stops allowing water to pass through it you will know that it has reached the end of its lifespan.
How would you know if you already drank 1,000 liters of filtered water ?
You'll no longer be able to draw water through the straw.
Does the LifeStraw cleans water from the toilet?
More than just that! Check out our videos and behold all the horrible places we've been able to drink from.
Are you planing on getting replacement filters for the water bottle ?
Perhaps someday. Should they become available we will include them at the top of the page as well.
Can it filter Ebola infected water?
The LifeStraw does not filter viruses. With that being said, ebola is not a waterborne virus, so it's not something you have to worry about unless you're drinking from a well filled with the bodies of ebola victims.
I have the family lifestraw and love it, use it constantly. My question is, the only place I can hang it, the tubing is too long. Would I damage it if I were to remove about 3 inches of the tubing??
Doing that would very likely damage the effectiveness of the filter. We do not recommend attempting to alter it in any way.
Is it hard to suck out of?
The first draw is the hardest. It doesn't work exactly like a straw, so you'll have to use quite a bit of pressure to get the water to come through the first time. Don't be discouraged if nothing comes through right away.
Whats the other 0.0001% of bacteria?
It's impossible to guarantee 100% success on anything, especially when it's a matter of health. It's not that 0.0001% of bacteria are impervious to the LifeStraw's filters, but it is irresponsible to make that claim since there could be bacteria which are.
My county recently stated that there is a brain-eating amoeba called Naegleria Fowleri in our county's lakes and rivers (which we filter and use for tap water) Could LifeStraw filter it?
The Lifestraw is able to filter every other type of bacteria, so your brain-eating amoeba shouldn't be an issue.
Would you recommend this for Duke of Edinburgh award expeditions?
Absolutely. The DoE Expeditions are pretty intense and have you out in some truly untamed wildernesses.
Can you bring to thailand?
Yes, we ship http://www.vat19.com/shipping-country-list.cfm">internationally. The cost of shipping will depend on the shipping method you choose when you check out online. You can also click the "Calculate Shipping" link located directly above the green "Add to Cart" button near the top of any product page.
I just bought one and opened it to try it out. The water does not taste bad at all. I bought it just in case of an emergency. Is it OK to store it in a backpack and not use it for a long time? also, what's the shelf life for an unopened one?
You can! The manufacturer recommends blowing out as much excess water as you can before storing your LifeStraw. Each LifeStraw has a 5-year shelf life and can filter 264 gallons of water. As long as the LifeStraw remains in its package, it will remain safe to use for that 5 year period.
Can the LifeStraw work when you drink from a toilet filled with #2 and/or #1?
If you want to, but if you are near a toilet you're also probably near a plumbing source without human waste in it.
Do you send it to Brunei Darussalam it is near Malaysia
I only like you the most can you send it to Brunei please
We do. Here is a list of all the countries to which we currently offer shipping.
Let me ask a very stupid one. I work on a place where all sort of pranks happen, like people throwing laxative pills to dissolve in the water bottles. Could this product filter these "dissolved" substance and get me out of this situation?
The LifeStraw cannot filter out chemicals. Also, you should consult HR, as taking large and unnecessary doses of laxatives when you don't need them can be extremely dangerous.
3 questions, and please don't avoid answering them correctly like you've been. Does the water taste normal?as in, does it tastes like tap water? Can you filter urine? Not should you, but CAN you. What would this do to soda?
Yes, the water will taste remarkably cleaner than it did before. Yes, you can filter urine, but it's completely unnecessary since urine is already sterile. No, it will not make your pee taste like tapwater. It likely wouldn't do anything to soda.
Please note that this is an emergency device and has been tested as such. If you'd like to purchase one and try it out on different sodas, bodily waste, and other bizarre sources, we'd be happy to post your findings. It's marketed and used as an emergency device to drink unsafe sources of fresh water and that is how we tested it.
If I use this in a lake / river (not salt water) will it filter out most the the Gas/oil made by the boats around (assuming I don't put in in a puddle of gas) As I most of the time see motor boat residue are pretty much like gunk
Probably not very well. If there are motorboats running around, there are probably people or services with clean (or cleaner) water than the lake.
If you went on a trip to the dessert or something, can you cut a hole in a cactus or a tree or in the ground and stick the Lifestraw in the hole and get clean water from it?
Cacti are normally safe to "drink" from right from the plant. Cacti are not like giant water balloons, though. They're more like stalks of celery in terms of what drinking from them is like.
Did you guys make the LifeStraw?
No, we are simply a retailer.
Is it FDA approved?
It's neither a food nor a drug. The LifeStraw has been used around the world since 2005 and has a well documented success rate.
Will this filter out fluoride as all?
No, nor was it designed to. The LifeStraw was designed to filter microbes and harmful bacteria.
Is this dishwasher safe.
No, as the heat of the dishwasher could warp the casing and possibly damage the filter. To clean, simply rinse with water.
Could it possibly grow mold?
No. The filter is naturally resistant to mold.
Does the filter ever have to be replaced
As stated on the page, LifeStraw was designed to be disposable. The filter cannot be replaced.
Is it hard to drink out of?
Not at all. It's just like drinking from a straw.
Does this work in the ocean?
No. The LifeStraw cannot make fresh water of saltwater.
Sorry that it's unrelated, but who are the guys in the pictures? I don't recognize them.
They actually work for the manufacturer. They're not Vat19 employees.
Do you make your products or do you buy them?
We don't make them, we find things we think are curiously awesome and then sell them here in one place!
does the water taste bad
The Lifestraw is a filter, so it won't actually change the flavor of the water. It will depend on the source.
I want to use the lifestraw second stage. Am travelling in very hot area and will need electrolyte replacement. If i add the tabs to the bottle will it be filtered out?
No, they would not be filtered out.
What happens to parasites, microbes, bacteria that are captured by the filter....don't they build up causing a problem ?
The filter itself is antimicrobial, which means that they cannot live in filter. The filter within the LifeStraw can treat over 250 gallons of water before the filter becomes unusable.
If I buy a LifeStraw Go, will the manufacturer send a LifeStraw Go to a developing country?
That's right. Every LifeStraw you purchase goes towards supplying LifeStraws to countries in need of access to clean water.
How does it clean the water?
It does so by moving the water through a dense filter. The filters inside the LifeStraw remove anything 0.2 microns or larger.
Does it filter out giardia? and other pathogens of that nature?
Yes, it will filter out parasites, microbes, and bacteria. This information is expanded upon on the product page above.
How much does it weigh?
The Lifestraw weighs about 2.4 ounces when dry.
In the countries that you're currently serve what is the ratio that you try and meet of Life Straw units to people served?
With every purchase of a LifeStraw, the manufacturer donates a unit to a child in need for an entire school year.
Will filtered pee come out transparent in color????
No it will not.
Can it filter waterborne viruses?
Viruses no, but bacteria yes. Fortunately there aren't too many waterborne viruses to worry about.
Can you market a Lifestraw filter for homes that gets installed so all the water you have you know is safe from harmful bacteria and possible parasites in old Pipes?, just sayin it would really sell, and if it too was plastic it could be affordable
There are already products on the market which are capable of doing exactly that a lot more efficiently than the LifeStraw.
The LifeStraw is not meant to be a toy or a home convenience; it's meant to be an emergency survival tool for when you're in a situation where clean water simply isn't available.
The LifeStraw is not meant to be a toy or a home convenience; it's meant to be an emergency survival tool for when you're in a situation where clean water simply isn't available.
Vat19, in your video you had mentioned that to clean it, you just blow into the straw to remove the bad particles, but wouldn't the "fibers" or the inside of the straw still be wet and mold over time or something?
No. The fibers themselves are antimicrobial, which means that nothing would be able to grow and thrive in them.
Can you put this in the other water thing you have?(The spray one)
No you cannot. Sorry!
How do you fill a pot or a bottle with this device?
You don't unless you have some sort of pumping mechanism. The LifeStraw is an emergency device which can be used to drink directly from the source.
The LifeStraw filter can clean water contaminated with gasoline or kerosene?
No it cannot. The LifeStraw cannot remove chemicals from water.
Do they have an accessory so that you can extract water for very small children, pets, or anyone else that doesn't suck?
First of all I just want to say that the way you ended your question was, intentionally or not, the funniest thing I've read all day. Thank you!
No, there is not currently a LifeStraw for infants or pets, however animals are not nearly as susceptible to water-borne illnesses as humans. At the end of the day, this is a device to ensure human survival in a desperate time.
No, there is not currently a LifeStraw for infants or pets, however animals are not nearly as susceptible to water-borne illnesses as humans. At the end of the day, this is a device to ensure human survival in a desperate time.
Can you use the LifeStraw over time on separate vacations, or separate lapse in time for example use it one month, then store it and use it months later? Im extremely curious. please let me know if i need to explain with more clarity.
Absolutely. The LifeStraw can be used again and again until the filter wears out. Once you're done drinking, simply blow out the excess water contained in the filter and put the cap on the bottom of the LifeStraw.
I purchased the bottle via Amazon, admired it and put it away for my future trip. Took it out today to test and no water comes through the filter and/or straw. All I did was place water in bottle and reinserted the filter with cap. Nothing happens!
The first draw is always the hardest. It will seem like nothing is moving, but we can assure you that it is. The method we found that works the best is to suck as hard as you can, put your tongue over the opening of the straw to prevent the water from going back down while you catch your breath, and repeat.
If I were in an emergency situation and the only water I could find had a dead animal floating in it & clearly had polluted the water, would this be something that the Lifestraw could handle? Or would I die..... :{
Most naturally occurring bodies of water have dead animals in them. If what you've found is a half-full bathtub with a carcass in it, you should probably look for something a little safer.
Can you drink through chemicals?
No. As we've explained previously, the LifeStraw is not able to remove chemicals from water.
How can I get a discount on it?
The best way would be to sign up for our free email newsletter and wait for a coupon. We give out coupons twice each month.
Which one is better the life straw or bottle?
That depends on what you want to use them for. They're both equally good at filtering water.
Hey vat19 try drink a vomit then spit it out what's the color? Is it still color vomit or water
We already drank vomit once for the commercial. If you're really that curious you are welcome to order a LifeStraw and try it for yourself. We'll even publish your findings.
My lifestraw fell off the table, does it still work?
It should. There's nothing that is easily broken in the LifeStraw. Have you considered testing it?
If you got a rain storm and it made a puddle could u drink from it?
Yes. In fact, that's pretty much exactly what the LifeStraw was designed to do.
Can I use this on my trip to Asia to drink their tap water?
You'll find that the quality of drinking water will vary greatly between Asian countries. With that being said, yes, drinking water with the LifeStraw is exactly what it was designed to do.
Can I add flavor to the water like crystal light? and still use the filter?
We suppose so. It's important to understand that the LifeStraw was really intended to be an emergency device for when no other sources of clean water are available.
How many times can the life straw filter water?
Each LifeStraw can filter up to 264 gallons of water.
Can it filter water from a different country?
Of course!
In the vidoe you guys said: "when done, blow out the water to clean the filter". Does that mean infinte use? or is that just to get more uses out of the life straw?
That's just to prevent the water trapped in the straw from leaking all over the place. The LifeStraw has a definite lifespan of 264 gallons.
So, if it doesn't filters chemicals, that guy drunk all the chemicals contained in piss, mississipi,and vomit. Right?
All things considered, the Mississippi is incredibly clean. It looks the way it does because the water contains a LOT of mud and sediment. Regarding urine and vomit, what chemicals would they contain that weren't already in your body? We're not saying that you SHOULD drink from toilets.
Could it filter tough things like mud??
Yes it can! Check out our video.
Does it filter minerals?
Generally speaking yes, however it will not make soft water out of hard water because those minerals are bonded to the water at the molecular level.
What if i put water from a stream into a jar and added some sort of artificial flavor? If i drink using the LifeStraw, will it taste like water with flavor?
Probably, but wouldn't you rather just have an actual drink?
Does it filter salt water?
No. It would be global news if someone figured out a way to desalinate ocean water this easily.
Could i Drink straight from a puddle?
Yep! That's the whole idea!
Your answers regarding taste are a little vague. So..
Say I'm drinking from a muddy pond. On a scale 1-10, with 1 being cold beer (or clean water, whatever) and 10 being puddle poo sludge, what would you rate the outcome, taste wise?
It's going to depend on where the water is coming from. Well water might still have a slightly sulphuric taste but it will still be safe to drink. In most cases the water will not have any flavor at all because it is the pollutants which give it flavor in the first place.
My mom wont let me drink out of our toilet with the lifestraw, but it's still safe right?
Right.
Will the 'LifeStraw Portable Water Bottle' work without the filter i.e. without the filter installed can you use the Water Bottle as an ordinary water bottle?
Yes, but it would be defeating the purpose of the product.
Can the Life Straw filter juice from fruits? If so, will it take away the taste?
No, it will not remove flavor of juice.
I have a friend who lives in a Not-So-Clean neighborhood and the tap water is bad. Would the straw be able to make the water better for them, or is this only useful on natural bodies of water?
He can but it would be much more practical for him to purchase a filter which attaches directly to the tap.
Can you drink straight from the ocean and be clean and be fresh?
The LifeStraw cannot desalinate ocean water.
How exactly does the filter work, scientifically, and why doesn't it filter salt?
It works pretty much the same as any other filter: the filter is too small for bacteria to travel through but large enough for water molecules to travel through. With salt water, the salt is not just floating in the water and is actually bonding with the water at the molecular level. The only way to desalinate water is to break that molecular bond, something a filter simply cannot do.
Is there ANY chance at all that I could get sick or die or something from lethal waterborne viruses?
It's incredibly unlikely. There aren't too many waterborne viruses which you need to worry about. In most cases, it's bacteria and small animals you need to worry about.
Is the Lifestraw straw the same straw in the bottle? Because it looks different with the slashes and doesn't look like the same size.
They are the same. The straw had to be changed slightly to accommodate the bottle.
If I used the water bottle for normal drinking water, would the lifestraw inside get worn down?
Yes it would. Even though it's in a bottle, the Lifestraw is still intended to be an emergency device, not an everyday water bottle.
How can you tell if your life straw doesn't filter water anymore?
When you're no longer able to draw water through it.
For the LifeStraw Water Bottle, is the actual "lifestraw" able to detach from the water bottle?
Yes, the Lifestraw filter can be detached.
Can i drink rain water with this?
Yes you can!
If it doesen't work in the ocean, why does it say "Clean Drinking Water ANYWHERE."
the ocean is somewhere.
It's illegal to make false advertising. I'm reporting you.
Because it's a well-known fact that ocean water is unsuitable for drinking. Desalination is not something which can be achieved with a simple filter.
What is the procedure before drinking from the life straw water bottle
Nothing. Just fill it up with water and sip.
How do we know when we drink 264 galleons?
You'll no longer be able to draw water up through the straw.
With the new life straw drink bottle, how do you clean it? Do you blow out of it like the normal life straw? Or do you just hand wash it?
You would blow out the filter and hand wash the bottle.
Does the bacteria die or it just stays in the life straw ?
The filter is antimicrobial, which means that any bacteria caught in the filter will quickly perish.
Does the water bottle come with the life straw?
The bottle version has a LifeStraw built into it. It does not include an extra LifeStraw.
So, please repeat, won't filter virus, and won't filter salt, correct? Does it filter the same things from seawater that it filters from fresh water.
The Lifestraw will not filter out viruses or desalinate water. Fortunately there aren't too many waterborne viruses for you to worry about. It CAN filter bacteria and other grossness from saltwater, however that does not mean that you can safely drink saltwater.
Can I pay in Euro's because I live in the netherland, and there I don't have dollars?
We don't accept cash, so you don't have to worry about changing money. We will automatically charge the correct amount to your credit card when you check out online.
Is there any way to modify it or a seprate product to use with it to make it filter salt water?
Not that we're aware of. If you can figure out a way to quickly and inexpensively desalinate water, please let us know so that we can become instant billionaires.
I think this is cool, but I am worried that if this does not work anymore, I might drink dirty water without knowing it. How do I know that it is no longer usable?
From the FAQ: "The LifeStraw can actually perform for more than 1,000 liters, but that is the recommended lifespan from the manufacturer. Once you can no longer draw water through the straw, it is time to dispose of it."
With the life straw, can you drink out of lakes that have a lot of algae?
Yep! In fact, that's almost exactly what the LifeStraw was designed for!
Can i use it to Drink from water that is mixed with flour?
Wouldn't that be dough? Assuming it's still liquid, yes, you could do that.
In the video was Jamie alright? By drinking vomit with lifestraw?
It wasn't his proudest moment but he's definitely okay!
How would you know when your "1000 liters" run out?
The filter will stop working and you will no longer be able to draw water through it. Once it is too clogged with filtered gunk to work you will know it's time to replace it.
Just wondering, did Jaime (sorry if i spelt your name wrong) feel even a little sick after the lifestraw challenge video?
Let's just say that it probably wasn't the best day he's ever had. He's doing fine now though!
Can you drink with it under water ?
It might be possible but it's not terribly practical or safe to do so.
Is there a product like this but works with salt water?
Sadly no. The first person who develops a low-cost and low-energy method of desalinating water will become the richest person in history overnight.
My mom says I can only get this if I drink toilet water. Is it worth it?
We think a better thing to do would be to save it in case of emergency.
What is inside the straw?
The LifeStraw houses an extremely dense antimicrobial filter.
Can it make clean water taste more clean?
I'm not sure how that would be possible unless your "clean" water wasn't actually clean to begin with. I tried the LifeStraw with some tap water and it made very little difference.
Just.....pure........awesome!!
You can say that again! Safe drinking water is definitely awesome!
Can it filter the water in my turtle tank?
Technically yes, but you should have an electric filter for that.
Could you filter coke?
It wouldn't turn the Coke into water if that is what you're asking.
Does it filer viruses and amoebas?
The Lifestraw will filter amoebas but not viruses. Fortunately there aren't too many waterborne viruses that you need to worry about.
I'm sorry if this sound stupid, but what about acidic solutions? Will the straw make water less acidic/free from acid?/
No. As we've stated above, the LifeStraw is unable to separate water from other chemicals.
What is the minimum size that the lifestraw can filter?
0.2 microns.
My LifeStraw accidentally fell off kitchen table onto the tile floor about 3 feet in height is it damaged or still safe to use
As long as there are no cracks in the LifeStraw itself you should be okay.
How will I know I finished 1,000 litres?
The filter will stop working once it reaches the end of its lifespan. You'll be unable to draw water through it.
Can the lifestraw filter out Giardia?
Yes it can. The LifeStraw was specifically designed to be able to filter bacteria and parasites from natural sources of water.
Can the Life Straw filter lead?
The Life Straw cannot remove lead from water.
Doe the LifeStraw have a limit for it's filter? Or will it always filter dirty water?
Each LifeStraw can filter up to 264 gallons of water. We go into further detail in the description at the top of the page.
Are the people in the video just drinking regular pee? If I understand correctly urine is mostly sterile and the straw doesn't filter out salt.. Would the straw even make a difference?
Contrary to popular belief, urine is not, in fact, sterile. If you really want to drink pee it is best to clean it up as much as possible, and the Lifestraw is perfect for that.
Can the simple personal lifestraw connect to a water bottle also in addition to drinking out of a stream or river
No it cannot. For that you would have to use the bottle version shown at the top of the page.
Should we boil this for safety as well before drinking?
Don't boil the LifeStraw but you are welcome to boil the water even though it isn't necessary. Sometimes in a survival situation you won't have immediate access to fire.
In in the video, it stated that the filter could not filter salt water, so how can you drink urine? (Urine is salty) Search it up if you don't believe me.
The amount of salt found in urine is nowhere near the amount of salt found in seawater. Consuming the small amount of salt found in urine will not have anywhere near as disastrous an outcome as drinking water from the ocean.
Can the Lifestraw filter cows milk? (Ya know. Before its boiled to remove the bacteria)
It wasn't designed to so we can't say for sure. You should still pasteurize milk regardless of whether or not you own a LifeStraw.
How much liquid can fit in bottle with the filter in it if bottle holds total of 22 oz?
22 ounces. That figure is taking the filter into consideration.
Can I detach the straw from the bottle or is it fixed in place. If yes is it advised?
You can, but there is no point in doing that. If you don't plan on using the bottle then you should just order the basic LifeStraw.
i didnt understood something, the bottle works as a filter too? i mean, the bottle and the straw works of the same way but the bottle can transport water. Im i right?
The bottle is simply a fluid container. Dip the bottle in a lake, let it fill up, close the lid, and drink from it. The bottle doesn't do any filtering -- the LifeStraw it contains does that.
How does look and taste filtered coke?
You can't filter coke. What will come out of the other end would just be... soda. Now if the soda has dirt in it, then the LifeStraw will happily filter the dirt out of it.
What would happen if I drank Kool Aid through the Life Straw? (could you make a vid of this? Or do it in awesome time vid?)
You would still have Kool Aid.
Could you use the regular life straw to replace the one in the bottle?
Yes, they are the same. The straw had to be changed slightly to accommodate the bottle.
My daughter washed the filter with soapy water, and now the water tastes like soap. How do I clear the filter?
We're not sure if you can. You will need to flush out the filter by running water through it, but this will shorten the filter's lifespan.
Let's say if this were to happen in real life. Using our imagination, what if a zombie apocalypse occurred and dead zombies are floating in water. Can the LifeStraw filter out zombie virus?
No. We've been pretty clear about the fact that the LifeStraw cannot filter viruses. Bacteria and detritus, however, do not stand a chance.
You still can't drink water from the ocean right?
Right. We actually mention on the page above that the LifeStraw will not desalinate water.
If I wanted to drink water from a random garbage puddle (near garbage bins) that was originally formed due to rain, on a city street with the life straw, would it be safe to drink and filter properly?
Yes, but if you have other options then you should definitely take them. If that puddle of garbage water was the only water around then it would be considerably safer to use the LifeStraw.
Can you drink all liquids ?
You can but there's absolutely no need to. The LifeStraw is an emergency device for making natural bodies of water safer to drink.
Will it filter out viruses though.
No. We mention this in the description above as well as several times in the Burning Questions section.
I've heard that this only filters bacteria, particles, etc, but does not filter out chemicals. Then it is not safe to drink out of a polluted pond? That means I could still die from it!
That depends on what it's polluted with. If it's a retention pond sitting behind a chemical factory, then you should probably look for water elsewhere.
According to your statistics, one in a million bacteria and one in a thousand parasites will actually pass through the LifeStraw. What are the most common of these organisms small enough to pass through the filter?
That depends on where the water you're drinking is located.
Why couldn't the manufacturer just send one free life straw to a child in a developing country, and not just water? Why not both?
The problem in devastated and impverished areas isn't a lack of water; rather, it's a lack of clean water. It would be enormously more expensive to ship huge amounts of water compared to shipping LifeStraws.
Can it Filter alcohol? If I drank a thing of vodka would it still taste like vodka?
The LifeStraw cannot filter alcohol.
Another question, following the salts question.
Does it filter chemicals?
If not, you probably shouldn't be encouraging people to drink out of the sewers.
And if it doesn't filter salt, you should also probably tell the costumers beforehand.
The LifeStraw cannot filter out chemicals.
The product filters bacteria, that's neat.
But what about salts/minerals?
Drinking seawater still means drinking salt water, meaning you'll dehydrate. Oh and, acids will still be acidic, if ions pass through the filter.
So, does it filter salts?
No, the LifeStraw will not filter salt from seawater.
how long will it last for? (if your using a few times a week)
There's no definitive amount of time in terms of days or weeks. The LifeStraw was designed to filter a designated amount of water and will no longer work once that amount has been reached. You will literally be unable to use it.
Why should it not be used to drink from a toilet? Is it because it does not properly filter water which has been in contact with human waste?
You absolutely can drink from a toilet, but you're ignoring the entire point of the product. The LifeStraw is meant to be an emergency device when clean water is not available, such as when you're out in the wilderness. If you're next to a toilet, you're also next to working plumbing that probably has clean water in it.
If there was a lake and a lot of moss with the green pads that look like leaves what would it taste like?????????
Good enough to drink! The LifeStraw won't make lake water taste like Dasani, but it will make it clean enough to drink without getting sick. Keep in mind that this is an emergency device and not an every day item.
If someone spits in a drink bottle will it filter out the spit? And if they flem (snot) in clean water will it filter?
It would, but why would you drink it when you clearly have access to clean water? The Lifestraw was designed to make naturally occurring fresh water drinkable in emergency situations. You should only use it when there is absolutely no other choice.
Idk if this has been asked. But if you put a pump or had the lifestraw upside down with water filling from the top. would it go trough it? and is a yes, would it filter it?
Water will be filtered regardless of how it's drawn through the LifeStraw, though I'm not sure why you'd want to overly complicate a process which simply requires you to suck through it.
How do you know that it can not treat any more water???
It will stop working altogether. Once the filter is full then you will no longer be able to draw water through it.
Someone asked what country is this made in. You responded it is manufactured BY a Swiss-based company....yes, but what country is it actually made IN?
The LifeStraw is actually manufactured in Switzerland.
I have cow poop and pee in my creek. can i still drink the water with this?
Yes you can.
Can the Life Straw take flavors out the water, like the limestone-y taste from water from aquifers, or the dirt taste from muddy water?
Mostly, as those flavors are caused by the sediments in the water which are being filtered out.
Let's say i bought this product and used it for a really long time how will i know when its about to run out meaning like its about to break?
It doesn't just spontaneously break. When the filter becomes completely saturated with filtered debris, you will no longer be able to draw water through it. That's how you'll know.
Is there any liquids you suggest we don't use it with, like anything that wouldn't clear out bacteria, etc?
It can't filter seawater, so there's that. All we ask is that you use a little common sense when using the Lifestraw. It's not a toy which was designed for people to drink directly from sewage runoff; it's a survival tool that lets you drink safely from freshwater sources, such as rivers, lakes, and creeks.
if you buy a lifestraw,do other people in a doveleping country get one to?
They do!
Ean it filter out the new disease ebola??
Ebola is not a new disease and it is spread through bodily fluids. As long as you aren't trying to drink water from the hollowed husk of an ebola victim, you'll be fine.
Are you ever going to make it possible where the customer can buy a Lifestraw, but you just send it to a kid in need instead of sending it to the customer, like a donation?
The manufacturer does that. They are already sending LifeStraws to impoverished and devastated areas, but they're sending extras for every one that people buy for personal use.
Can it filter oil?
No, but if it makes you feel any better oil floats on the surface of the water, so it wouldn't be mixed with the water anyways.
I go to a lake that people say is manmade but the lake has fish poop and bacteria, will it still work in a manmade lake?
Yes, though you should probably avoid drinking lake water unless it's a matter of life or death. This product is a survival tool, not a toy.
Could you suck up a strawfull of water, then spray it back out into a cup and have clean water to use for say, ramen noodles?
I suppose, but that sounds really gross since it will be half saliva. Don't forget that to make ramen you'll have to boil the water anyway.
Can I send this to people that need the life straw?
Sure!
Does it filter chlorine water?
No, it does filter chemicals nor was it designed to.
Can I drink ocean and sea water out of the life straw
No. We've actually stated several times on the page as well as in the video that you cannot desalinate salt water with the LifeStraw.
If I put my life straw into a glass of Coke or something other than water, what would happen?
Not much. The LifeStraw removes physical debris and pollutants from water; it does not turn ohter liquids into water.
Is there any way to filter the water into a cup?
No. This product was designed as an emergency aid to prevent dehydration in the wilderness, not to compete with a Brita water purifier.
Can you drink water straight from the ocean?
No, it does not filter salt water.
Is it hard to actually suck the water into the lifestaw?
It's not difficult but it's definitely not as easy as a regular drinking straw. Once you get water all the way through the filter it becomes easier to drink.
Yo Vat19. Here in thailand, I live near the Chao Phraya river and literally go hiking. But I go boat riding and got stuck once on an island. YOU REALLY need to invent something that can filter salt water!
We're not inventors; we're retailers. I'm fairly certain that the first person who figures out a way to quickly and cheaply convert sea water to drinking water will be an instant trillionaire.
Are there any chemicals in the life straw that kills pathogens?
No. The filter itself is antimicrobial, so there is no need to use additional chemicals. In fact, the addition of such chemicals would probably make the water incredibly dangerous to drink.
Is it awkwardly big?
Not at all. The filter itself is 9" long and honestly couldn't be any easier to use or hold.
Is it ok for 2 people to use the same straw? The instructions said it's not but I want to confirm that
We do not recommend it, mostly for sanitary reasons.
is it safe for kids?
Absolutely! In fact, we even have a photo of impoverished children using the LifeStraw right here on the product page.
Do you have to wash the filter?
Nope! Just blow out the excess water and replace the cap.
Does the life straw work with salt water? Is there anything the life straw cannot filter (such as chemicals)?
No, you cannot filter salt water. The LifeStraw was made to filter bacteria and other "floating" turbidity. It cannot filter chemicals.
How do we know when we've hit the 1000L? Does it taste differently or is there an indicator of some kind?
When you are no longer able to draw water through the LifeStraw you will know that it has reached the end of its lifespan.
Is this 100% safe to drink out of dirty lake water? Could you get sick with something?
Yes. In fact, that's exactly the sort of thing the LifeStraw was made for.
Would it work against typhoid in India?
LifeStraw kills disease causing micro organisms which spread diarrhoea, dysentery, typhoid, and Cholera.
You said it filters bacteria, but what about viruses? viruses are so much smaller...
While the LifeStraw filters down to 0.2 microns, removing virtually all bacteria and protozoa, it should be noted that it will not filter out heavy metals, and will not desalinate water. It doesn’t filter out viruses either, although water-borne viruses are rare in North America.
Could the LifeStraw be used to filter water from a river which has been polluted for many years with toxins and chemicals?
It obviously depends on the nature of the pollution. The LifeStraw wasn't developed so that people could go around daring one another to drink downstream from a nuclear reactor; it was designed so that people could drink water from natural sources safely.
Did you guys test this product out in a near by pond or lake?
Beyond our own testing, this product has been extensively tested and widely used around the world. We didn't need much convincing to see how well it works.
Since this is product clearly has the power to change the world, are you going to donate any profits to say, people in the Philippines or africa? After all that is why this was designed.
NOTE - im not being sarcastic
It's already being used in places like that, and has been for some time. We're a retailer selling a product, but the manufacturer does offer LifeStraws to devastated and undeveloped areas. Please note that for every LifeStraw sold here at Vat19, the manufacturer donates a second LifeStraw to developing and devastated areas.
What makes the water clean?
The built-in filtration system of the LifeStraw.
Does the LifeStraw come in different colors?
The LifeStraw is currently only available in blue.
Can I fill the life straw water bottle with water from a fountain?
I'm going on a cruise and want to be safe of what I drink.
Also what about fountain beverages other than water?
That shouldn't be a problem as long as you're referring to a drinking fountain. We wouldn't recommend drinking the water from a decorative fountain unless you had absolutely no other choice.
Will the lifestraw filter out toxic algae?
Yep! That's exactly what it is designed to do.
I assume that this could be used for other beverages in locations where the ice may not be of the best quality? For example if I had a soft drink over ice in Columbia, or I had an alcoholic beverage as a combination of alcohol, ice and fruit juice?
That depends on what has tainted the water from which the ice is made. Please keep in mind that the LifeStraw was designed for camping and emergency situations, not for drinking sodas and cocktails.
Will it filter my well water that contains sulpher bacteria?
Yes, the LifeStraw can filter bacteria.
Can it filter soda?
That depends on what you mean by "filter soda". Will it filter small bits of debris from soda? Yes, it will do that with any liquid. Will it somehow separate the flavored syrup from the water? No.
Would it smell bad if I took a whiff from the input end after drinking pee/poop/gross water?
Presumably. All the stuff that makes the water smell in the first place would be in the filter.
How long will it take to ship? This item seems great for survival and who knows what lies tomorrow. (I'd probably become kid president)
That will depend entirely on the shipping method you choose when you check out online.
Does this protect from the infectious Ebola?
Ebola is not waterborne. You'd only have to worry about ebola if you are drinking water from the hollowed out body of an ebola victim.
Hey Vat! What are the filters made out of?
It uses a pre-filter of PE filter textile with a mesh opening of 100 micron, shortly followed by a second textile filter in polyester with a mesh opening of 15 micron.
You said that any bacteria cant escape lifestraw. So, they are kept in there forever? Like the more you use the dirtier it gets? And, it gradually cant filter very well anymore.
Keep in mind that bacteria are animals too. The filter separates them from the water and kills them. It's not as if you'll be sucking through a tube of live bacteria.
Can you make mobile site such as (mobile.vat19.com)
We're way ahead of you! We've been working on one for a few months now and it should be ready very soon!
So you guys are 110% sure that I won't get sick or die from using lifestraw on a near by lake when I go camping??
We, like the LifeStraw, are 99.9% sure. It'd be impossible to be 100%+ sure of anything.
Would i be able to filter some water out of ooblek?(cornstarch + water)
Probably not since the fluid is so thick. Why would you want to? It's not as if cornstarch is dangerous to ingest.
when you drank that really sludgy water at the end, did you really drink it? (really, be honest with me
Yes, because the LifeStraw actually works!
How long does the straw last?
Each LifeStraw has a 5-year shelf life and can filter 264 gallons of water. As long as the LifeStraw remains in its package, it will remain safe to use for that 5 year period.
If we were drinking realy realy realy bad water that had bad cemicals in it would it kill us still?
As we've explained previously, the LifeStraw cannot filter chemicals. It was designed specifically to filter dirt, bacteria, and other waterborne detritus.
If you were to use this to drink out of juice, would it filter out any ingredients in the juice?
If you're asking if it will somehow turn juice into water, the answer is no.
Has this ever not worked how it's supposed to?
Not that we or the manufacturer have ever heard of. When used properly, the LifeStraw should work perfectly.
After I reached the 1000 liter capacity will it allow me to drink from it what if I try to used it after that not knowing exactly when the 1000 filter was used
By that point the LifeStraw will be too clogged to use. It's not as if the unit suddenly becomes unsafe or spontaneously combusts after reaching its limit.
Why do you need to replace the LifeStraw? If the filteration system is based of the fiber membranes, why does it need to be replaced? (sorry if I sound like a total idiot)
Eventually the membranes will become clogged.
Where does the dirt from the dirty water go?
It's captured by the LifeStraw's filters.
Can you drink salty or brackish water with it?
No. Saltwater cannot be turned into fresh water with the LifeStraw.
Could you make it in different colors?
There are no plans to carry the Lifestraw in different colors at this time.
Does it work with salt water?
LifeStraw is a personal device designed for removing biologicals and turbidity, essentially materials suspended in the water, but does not filter out salt from saltwater.
Will this work with other liquids like soda or juice?
Yes. It won't change the soda or juice if that's what you're asking.
I really like what you have created. I hope this becomes an extremely popular device. I have seen your video on the LifeStraw. This will save many lives. If I can help in anyway to distribute these LifeStraws in anyway, I shall. Good luck with it!
We're not the manufacturer, but we appreciate the sentiment. LifeStraws are being used all around the globe, so the difference they are making is huge!
Does it filter a E coli bacteria?
Yes, the LifeStraw will filter 99.9% of all bacteria found in naturally occurring water sources.
Do you guys ship to myanmar?
I'm sorry, but we do not currently offer shipping to Myanmar.
Do you ship to Colombia?
Yes, we ship internationally.
when you drink from the lifestraw, does the water taste like it has minerals
It might not be perfectly flavorless, but it will be a lot better than without the LifeStraw.
Is is hard to suck the water through?
It's so easy that even a child (pictured above) can do it!
Not saying i ever will but with this could you drink out of the lake of the ozarks?
If you had to. Once again, this is an emergency device. If you have clean water available, by all means drink it.
How many filters are there?
LifeStraws are sold individually.
Can you send items to Indonesia?
Yes, we ship to Indonesia.
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