LifeStraw Go Review -- Turn Dirty Water Clean!

LifeStraw Go (from Eartheasy)

What is LifeStraw?

LifeStraw is part of a line of other water-filtering/survival products, created (by Vestergaard Frandsen) to make clean water available at any time --removing  99.9999% of waterborne bacteria and 99.9% waterborne protozoa, you could get water from virtually anywhere!  

(Such a noble product that it's even been nominated for the LifeStraw creator won an Index Awards!)

LifeStraw Go includes a cup (with its own awesome qualities, to be mentioned later) with a built-in "LifeStraw," which means you can fill up your bottle with any water and drink it right away. As the name suggests, the "straw" is also a filter to filter away the impurities and bacteria and loads of other junk that may be found in water. Genius. Purely genius!

How to Use

Even better, it requires no knowledge to use (right up my alley!) You simply scoop up your water from any pond, stream or river & screw the lid/straw back on and drink away! After each drinking "session," unscrew lid & blow through straw to expel dirty water.

Back-side with instructions, information about LifeStraw Go

Note:  LifeStraw has a natural "brake" on the flow of water -- as a controlled flow between 100 ml to 150 ml per minute is needed to get the maximum benefit of the bacteria killing effect.

Also, as expected with any carbon type filtering, you will have tiny black flecks in the water. It's just the carbon, which is harmless, and if you've ever used a filter at home that uses this technology (most all do), then you'll be familiar with it. Simply spit out the first couple of swigs. 

Why I wanted a Life-Straw Go
I'm an avid water-filtering kind of girl, which may be obvious considering I've reviewed various water-filtering products (including one for pets, for Pete's sake!) here in the past. I take my clean water seriously! In fact I haven't drank a drop of tap water in years because I know all too well what's in it.
 

I used the typical filters that you find in Wal-Mart. Not to mention the cupboard full of random water filtering bottles I've purchased -- yes, I've got them all. 

But the difference between those and LifeStraw Go is that those "leading brands" do not remove bacteria, but only some minerals, chlorine, etc, (and even that has been under question.) But I could not ever, under any sane circumstances fill up any of those filters/bottles with just any water and be able to consume it without big health risks.

LifeStraw, on the other hand, was created with a lot more power (and safety, health for that matter) in mind. 

However, LifeStraw will not remove heavy metals, fluoride, iron, arsenic and possibly other heavy metals.

If it were possible for LifeStraw to have any downside to it whatsoever, this would be it -- that it doesn't remove heavy metals and fluoride. I only say that because I'd love to use LifeStraw Go every day, just for daily use and fluoride is in drinking water (even if you filter it. Unless you use reverse osmosis or a water source that does not have added fluoride). I've been trying to get as much fluoride out of my entire life as possible. However, this cannot be considered a downside to this product because it was intended for drastic situations, to save lives.

But, it makes me think if the creator of LifeStraw were to ever consider making a product for daily, house-hold use, to filter our tap, then I am positive it would be loved & I'm positive they would want it to be as great as possible at removing all harmful things.

LifeStraw is more suitable because again, it's created to keep you hydrated through drastic situations where the only water nearby is lake or something. Yes, my dear preppers -- it is like a dream come true!

Let me elaborate on just how incredibly fantastic LifeStraw Go is...

Its filtering capacity is 264 gallons (1000 liters) is incredible! Note: Saline water through the LifeStraw would reduce effective life to 350 litres.

 I could use it even when I'm not in a dire situation, but feel like the water available isn't as clean as it could be.  It truly is a life-saving product that can be well, life-saving in many events.


"LifeStraw GO filters water down to 0.2 microns without the use of chemicals. When the filter has reached capacity (264 gallons) it will stop taking in water. Since the water filter is detachable, you can simply purchase a replacement filter when the filter has reached capacity.  The bottle can be reused indefinitely, saving waste from disposable plastic water bottles."

Features/Fantastic Qualities

LifeStraw Removes most micro-organisms that are common causes of waterborne disease.  

 LifeStraw kills disease-causing micro organisms which spread diarrhoea, dysentery, typhoid, and Cholera. 

The Following Bacteria & Protozoa are removed from Water using LifeStraw:

Bacteria:
Escherichia coli
    Campylobacter
    Vibrio cholerae
    Pseudomonas aeruginosa
    Shigella
    Salmonella

Protozoa:
    Giardia lamblia (Beaver Fever)
    Cryptosporidium Parvum
    Entamoeba histolytica

LifeStraw has been rigorously tested to surpass EPA standards for removing E. Coli, Giardia and Cryptosporidium oocysts, and many other waterborne contaminants.

How Does LifeStraw do All of This?

Note the silicone mouth straw.

 LifeStraw uses something called PuroTech (patented) Disinfecting Resin (PDR) to kill bacteria on contact. 

(If you're like me & never heard of this 'technology and are severely fascinated with how it works, you can read all about it here.)

A view of the bottom of the "straw" tube. This is the visible part of the filter. The other end which attaches to the lid is the same.

On top of that awesome PDR stuff, LifeStraw also uses Textile pre-filters, which  remove particles up to 15 microns. And also the typical and useful active carbon, which traps and holds particles such as parasites.

Other Features:

• Filters up to 264 gallons or 1000 liters of water down to 0.2 microns

• LifeStraw Go (the straw tube inside the water bottle) comes with a carabiner attached so you can carry it on a belt-loop or wherever.

• Holds 23 oz.

• Zero aftertaste as it contains no chemicals or iodine

• The geniuses who created LifeStraw products really have health-consciousness because the bottle is BPA-free tritan. The mouth straw is made of food grade silicone, which is nice and squishy (meaning it is comfortable and I admit, kind of fun) to use and won't clank against my teeth. 

Food grade silicone is one of the safest materials around as it is non-porous and will not harbor bacteria and is safe to use internally (that doesn't mean you can swallow the silicone mouth piece, though!)

• It's truly leak-proof! I can carry it around in my purse and not have spillage.

Even more details:

LifeStraw expires one year after the usage start date. That's based on a calculation of 2 liters (or 700 liters total) of water daily.

However, amazingly enough, "usage beyond that date will not deteriorate existing water quality."

Fall in love with the manufacturers of LifeStraw even more:

For each LifeStraw you buy, one school kid in Africa receives clean water for a whole school year.

In the review world, I'd give the LifeStraw products a 10 on 1-10 rating scale, if not more! This is because the products were designed with reality and actual safety in mind. This product is saving lives, it's affordable and it can allow a year's worth of drinking water consumption for one person (per straw.) This is a life-changing and life-saving product, and it warms my heart to see the company providing this handy tool to those in need (like the kids in Africa.) This is a genuine company who have hearts. I'm in love.