It is important to maintain your filter on the trail and at home. Backflushing is a common cleaning method for hollow fiber filters. This involves running filtered water in reverse through a filter that pushes larger particles out of the cartridge back to its source. When filtering water that is sediment-filled, backflushing can be especially useful. Backflushing ceramic filters is also beneficial. However, they can still be used to clean any blockages manually without risk. Avoid freezing your filter by not flushing it regularly. Remove the cartridge from the tank and store in your sleeping bag or chest pocket to prevent water from freezing, causing damage. To kill any bacteria, wash any other tubes and reservoirs with soap. Then, flush the cartridge with one capful of bleach and one quart of water. Rinse the cartridge with warm water, and dry it completely.