Last year I pulled my filter out of the storage tote after a year's storage, and it was locked up; no water passed through it.
I tried running straight vinegar through it, let it set overnight, nothing happened. Trashed it, bought a new one for my annual section hike.
After returning home last year, I carefully followed the manufacturers directions for storage. This past Wednesday night, I pulled it out of the storage tote to check it for my upcoming section hike...and IT TOO, was clogged. A few drops managed to flow through it. Again I tried to run straight vinegar through it, letting it soak over night.
The next morning (Thursday), no improvement, so I ordered a mini. (If I have to replace it every year after only one week's use, may as well save the money and weight).
After returning from a local overnight hike Sunday afternoon (dry trail, carried water) I checked to see if the extra couple of days of soaking in vinegar had helped free up the squeeze I just replaced with the mini.
Attaching a bottle to it (again) and squeezing it, no change, still only drips. I tried tapping (pounding) the filter against the bottom of the utility sink to jar things loose maybe? You know, why not - it's about to go in the trash! Attached the bottle to it again and squeezed, and I had flow!
So I mixed some vinegar and water an back-flushed it, then put it in several Ziploc bags to keep it from drying out.
Still not sure if I trust it enough to bring it on my next section (Shenandoah), or if I should bring the mini... But I thought I would share how got my squeeze working again after it clogged during storage.