Directions for Use

1. Wash the bamboo charcoal in running water until all black powder has been removed.
   (NB: Do not use soap or washing-up liquid.)
   
   
   
2. Boil for ten minutes in a pan of water to sterilise it and let it dry completely.
   
   
3. Place in a jug and fill with tap water.
    
   
   
   
   
4. for best results leave for 8 hours or more.
   
   
   
   Your water is now ready to drink!
   

   
   
5. Repeat 2. to re-sterilise once a week. 
   
   
6. Replace your charcoal with a new piece approximately after two months.

Tips

• Filter your water when you are asleep or away for work to make it fuss free.

• If you go away for more than a day, take the charcoal out of the jug and let it dry in an airy place.

• When you re-sterilise, if the weather is good, dry under the sun for several hours to re-energise and prolong the life of the charcoal.

• After a few weeks of usage you may find white powdery lime scale on the surface of the charcoal when it is dry. If so, just wash it down in running water before putting it back in your jug.

• If the charcoal leaves any black specks in the bottom of your jug, don’t worry if you swallow any of them. Charcoal is considered harmless though please do not actively eat the charcoal.

How many pieces do I need?

1 litre jug     - 4 pieces
1.5 litre jug  - 6 pieces
2 litre jug     - 8 pieces

Note that depending on your taste and the water quality in your area, you may not need as many pieces per litre. Try it out and find the right number for you.

Don’t throw it away -  re-use it!

Please don’t throw away the bamboo charcoal that you have finished using for water filtering. Charcoal regulates moisture, reduces odours and inhibits mould. There are many household uses for it. You can put it in:

• kitchen or bathroom corners that tend to accumulate mould.
• the fridge, to help vegetables stay fresh for longer.
• your shoes, to absorb bad odours and moisture.
• the bread bin, as it discourages mould; and
• chests of drawers, to keep your clothes dry and
  discourage insects.
 
You can re-use your charcoal like this for 6 to 12 months depending on the circumstances and when it has finally come to the end of its life, don’t put it in the bin – crush and bury it in your garden or mix it with compost. It will help improve the quality of your soil, as the pores in the charcoal both aerate it and provide an excellent habitat for micro-organisms - and this way there is no waste at all!