We recommend cleaning the filter after each use of the bottle. The fine mesh that provides that sparkling clarity is also, by its nature, a delicate item. Use care.
Our team has found success with both soaking first and cleaning the filter immediately.
In both cases you'll want to use warm water and an oil dissolving soap (popular examples: Dawn or Palmolive) and a soft yellow sponge (not the rough, sometimes green, side if your sponge has one).
Soak Method
It's simple! If you have the time, soak the filter with the oil dissolving soap and warm water overnight.
If a light scrubbing is still needed, continue to the directions below.
Cleaning immediately
To clean the filter immediately, start by gently wetting the filter with the soft yellow sponge. From there you take the sponge and gently wipe the mesh on the inside and outside to get the oils out.
Try using some fingers opposite the sponge to support the delicate mesh of the filter for this step and don't use much pressure at all — let the soap do most of the work of slowly breaking up the oils.
Either way…
Once it looks good and the oils are gone, you can give it a final rinse and set it out to air dry.
After it's completely dry you can store it back in the cold brew bottle if it's empty but storing the parts separately is recommended, as leaving the filter wet and enclosed may cause mold to form.
If you find yourself needing a new filter, you can purchase one from Hario here.