Test your water first. A $10 TDS meter, a taste test, and a simple at-home kit can save you hundreds on the wrong system. Don’t buy a reverse osmosis unit if your TDS is already low—you’ll waste money and minerals.
Remember to clean your tools. Filters and membranes grow biofilms if neglected. Think of it like washing a reusable water bottle—skip a week, and it smells like regret. Set a calendar reminder, and your future self will thank you.
For a lazy fix, boil and cool your water. It won’t remove TDS, but it kills pathogens and evaporates some chlorine. It’s the original “house filter”—used by every culture from Japan to Kenya. Pair with a slice of lemon, and you’ve basically upgraded your hydration game.
