Do Fridge Filters Actually Work?

We recently renovated our kitchen and purchased new appliances. I was very excited to get a new fridge with an ice and water maker!

The fridge came with a filter that I was happy to learn I could bypass. Why you may ask? 

After being in the water business for 25 years and knowing what’s in our tap water, I can tell you with certainty (backed up by research) a fridge filter only removes a fraction of the contaminants commonly found in tap water. 

✅ What Fridge Filters Do Remove

Fridge filters typically contain carbon. Carbon filters help improve the taste and smell of tap water by trapping certain chemicals through a process called adsorption (where contaminants stick to the carbon surface).

They’re effective at reducing:

• Chlorine – the main cause of bad taste and odor in tap water

• Chloramine – a chlorine-related disinfectant used by many cities

• Some pesticides and herbicides

• Some Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) – industrial chemicals that affect smell and taste

• Certain disinfection by-products (THMs, HAAs)

• Sediment and rust 

🚫 What Fridge Filters Don’t Remove

Carbon filters don’t remove dissolved solids or microscopic contaminants that can be harmful to your health including:

• PFAS (forever chemicals)

• Heavy metals (lead, arsenic, mercury)

• Nitrates

• Pharmaceuticals

• Microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, cysts)

• Microplastics 

Removing these contaminants require more advanced filtration systems — like reverse osmosis to truly remove them.

Why Your Fridge Filter Might Not Be Helping

Even if your fridge filter works well, it only does so for a short time. Most manufacturers recommend replacing it every 6 months, but studies show many homeowners forget — sometimes going a year or more.

When a filter isn’t changed regularly, it can actually become a breeding ground for bacteria, leaving your “filtered” water dirtier than your tap.

A Better Way to Get Clean Water

If you  want purified clean, safe water for drinking, cooking, and ice, consider installing a reverse osmosis system under your sink and connecting it directly to your fridge line. That way, you get purified water in every glass and every cube, without depending on a small, overworked fridge filter.

Need help choosing the best system for your lifestyle, contact us today or browse our selection of reverse osmosis systems.