Quote Originally Posted by MuddyWaters View Post
I got one of the first sawyer sawyer squeezes when they first came out. Tested it on tap water, put away. It dried out. Tried to use it 6 mo later.....barely passed water. NEVER worked again. Even after prolonged soaking in water, vinegar, etc. Nothing worked. I threw it away rather than send back to sawyer. Even though i had talked to them on phone, and followed their directions.

Many yrs later i tried a mini, successfully. Have had no issues with it or another squeeze. Always backflush, but never let dry out. I store mine slightly wet (tap water has chlorine), and package in double ziplock ,with a wet paper towel in the outer ziplock. Rewet towel every few months.
Minerals in tap and free-flowing water solidify in the filter. It is logical and just like the pipes in your home...build up happens