Last updated: March 2026
The Short Answer
Yes — Brita removes chlorine taste and odor. This is what Brita is best at.
All Brita pitcher filters are certified by NSF/ANSI Standard 42 for chlorine taste and odor reduction. Activated carbon — the primary filtration material in Brita filters — is highly effective at adsorbing free chlorine. This is why Brita-filtered water tastes noticeably better than straight tap water in most cities.
However, there are important nuances:
- Brita removes free chlorine well, but has limited performance against chloramine (a different disinfectant)
- Brita only partially removes disinfection byproducts (THMs, HAAs) that chlorine creates — and these are actually the bigger health concern
- For full chlorine byproduct removal, an RO system is required
The context matters: If your goal is simply better-tasting water, Brita is a cost-effective solution. If your goal is health protection — particularly reducing disinfection byproducts linked to cancer — you need to understand what Brita does and doesn't remove.
How Brita Removes Chlorine: The Science
Brita filters use activated carbon — a processed form of carbon with an enormous internal surface area (one gram of activated carbon can have a surface area the size of a football field). Free chlorine (Cl₂ and hypochlorous acid, HOCl) is effectively adsorbed onto the carbon surface as water passes through.
The process is primarily chemical reduction combined with adsorption:
- Chlorine reacts with the carbon surface, breaking down into chloride ions (harmless)
- The activated carbon has a high affinity for chlorine, pulling it from solution efficiently
- As the carbon becomes saturated over time, efficiency decreases — which is why filter replacement matters
This is well-established chemistry, and Brita's NSF 42 certification confirms it works as claimed for free chlorine.
Why You Should Always Replace Filters on Schedule
Activated carbon has a finite capacity. When the carbon sites become saturated, the filter can no longer adsorb chlorine effectively — and in some cases may begin releasing previously captured contaminants back into the filtered water. This is why NSF certification specifies both removal efficiency and filter capacity (in gallons). Using a Brita filter beyond its rated life defeats the purpose.
Chlorine vs. Chloramine: A Critical Difference
Here's where many Brita users get confused: not all utilities use free chlorine as their primary disinfectant.
Free Chlorine (Cl₂)
The traditional disinfectant — added to water as chlorine gas, sodium hypochlorite, or calcium hypochlorite. Highly effective disinfectant. Produces a strong "swimming pool" smell. Brita removes this very effectively.
Chloramine (NH₂Cl)
An alternative disinfectant formed by combining chlorine with ammonia. About half of U.S. utilities have switched to chloramine (also called "combined chlorine") because it produces fewer regulated disinfection byproducts. Chloramine is more stable and persists further into the distribution system.
The problem: Chloramine is significantly harder to remove with activated carbon than free chlorine. Standard granular activated carbon (Brita Standard) has limited effectiveness against chloramine. The Brita Longlast+ performs better due to its denser catalytic carbon media, but still doesn't fully remove chloramine reliably.
How to Know Which Your Utility Uses
Check your utility's Consumer Confidence Report (annual water quality report) or call your utility's customer service line and ask whether they use chlorine or chloramine. You can also check the EWG Tap Water Database — it lists the disinfectant your utility reports using.
| Brita Filter | Free Chlorine Removal | Chloramine Removal |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (white) | ✓ Excellent (NSF 42) | Limited |
| Longlast+ (blue) | ✓ Excellent (NSF 42) | Moderate (improved carbon) |
| Stream | ✓ Good (NSF 42) | Limited |
| Faucet Filter | ✓ Good (NSF 42) | Moderate |
The Bigger Issue: Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs)
Here's what many people don't know: the chlorine itself isn't the main health concern — it's what chlorine creates when it reacts with natural organic matter in source water.
Trihalomethanes (THMs)
Chloroform and related compounds formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter (humic acids, etc.) in source water. THMs are regulated by the EPA with a Total THM limit of 80 µg/L. The EWG health guideline is 0.15 µg/L — more than 500 times stricter.
Long-term exposure to THMs is associated in some studies with increased bladder-cancer risk and adverse reproductive outcomes. THMs are present in virtually every chlorinated water system.
Haloacetic Acids (HAAs)
A group of five disinfection byproducts (HAA5) regulated by the EPA at 60 µg/L. Like THMs, HAAs form when chlorine reacts with organic material. Also linked to cancer risk with long-term exposure.
Brita's Performance on DBPs
Brita's Standard filter offers some reduction of some DBPs through activated carbon adsorption. The Longlast+ performs better. But neither filter is NSF certified for THM or HAA removal, and the reduction is not reliable or complete.
The irony: By removing chlorine from the water, Brita stops further DBP formation in the container (chlorine that's filtered out can't continue reacting with organics). But the THMs and HAAs that already formed before the water reached your filter are only partially addressed.
💡 Key insight: If you live in a city with high disinfection byproduct levels — check the EWG Tap Water Database — a Brita filter is not a sufficient solution. Disinfection byproducts above EWG guidelines are one of the most common tap water problems in the U.S. and one of the strongest arguments for upgrading to an RO system.
All Brita Models — Chlorine Performance Compared
| Brita Filter | NSF 42 (Chlorine) | NSF 53 (Health) | DBP Reduction | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (white) | ✓ Certified | ✗ | Partial, uncertified | Taste improvement only |
| Longlast+ (blue) | ✓ Certified | ✓ (lead, benzene) | Better, still partial | Taste + lead + some health contaminants |
| Stream | ✓ Certified | ✗ | Partial, uncertified | Taste improvement only |
| Faucet Filter | ✓ Certified | ✓ (limited) | Moderate | Convenience + taste |
Is Chlorine in Tap Water Dangerous?
Chlorine in U.S. drinking water is maintained at residual levels of 0.2–4 parts per million (ppm) — concentrations that don't pose a direct health risk for most people. The EPA's maximum residual disinfectant level (MRDL) is 4 ppm.
Direct Effects of Chlorine
- Taste and odor: The primary complaint. Chlorine's "swimming pool" taste makes many people drink less water.
- Skin and hair: Bathing in chlorinated water can cause dry skin and brittle hair, particularly at higher concentrations or with long exposure.
- Respiratory: Some sensitive individuals (particularly those with asthma) may react to chlorine in shower steam.
- Gut microbiome: Some emerging research suggests drinking chlorinated water may affect the composition of gut bacteria, though evidence is preliminary.
The Real Concern: Disinfection Byproducts
As described above, the more significant health concern from chlorination isn't chlorine itself but the byproducts it creates. Bladder cancer risk from long-term THM exposure is well-documented in epidemiological literature. This is a decades-long chronic exposure effect — not an acute risk from a glass of chlorinated water.
When Brita Isn't Enough for Chlorine-Related Concerns
A Brita is sufficient if:
- ✅ Your only concern is taste and odor from chlorine
- ✅ Your utility uses free chlorine (not chloramine)
- ✅ Your utility's disinfection byproduct levels are low
A Brita is not sufficient if:
- ❌ Your utility uses chloramine as the primary disinfectant
- ❌ Your utility has elevated THM or HAA levels above EWG health guidelines
- ❌ You want comprehensive protection against all chlorine-related health concerns
- ❌ You're also concerned about PFAS, lead, arsenic, or other contaminants
Check the EWG database for your utility's disinfection byproduct levels. If THMs or HAAs exceed EWG guidelines, it's time to consider upgrading to an RO system or a high-performance carbon block filter.
Best Filters for Chlorine and Disinfection Byproducts
Brita Longlast+ Replacement Filters
~$45 for 3-pack
NSF 42 & 53 certified. The best Brita option — removes chlorine taste, lead, and benzene. Lasts 3× longer than Standard. If your only concern is chlorine taste and you're not worried about PFAS, DBPs, or other contaminants, this is the most economical choice.
View on Amazon →APEC ROES-50 Reverse Osmosis
~$200
NSF 58 certified. Can substantially reduce chlorine and many byproducts when certified and maintained, chloramine, THMs, HAAs, and all other disinfection byproducts. Also removes PFAS, lead, arsenic, nitrates. The definitive solution for utilities with high DBP levels. Under-sink with dedicated faucet.
View on Amazon →Berkey Water Filter System
~$350
Gravity-fed system with Black Berkey filters. Highly effective against both free chlorine and chloramine. No electricity or installation required. Also removes lead, VOCs, and many other contaminants. Popular with those who want countertop filtration without plumbing changes.
View on Amazon →Frequently Asked Questions
Does Brita remove chlorine from tap water?
Yes. All Brita filters are NSF/ANSI 42 certified for chlorine taste and odor reduction. Activated carbon adsorbs free chlorine effectively. This is Brita's primary strength — improving the taste and smell of chlorinated tap water.
Does Brita remove chloramine?
Only partially. Standard Brita filters (white cartridge) have limited effectiveness against chloramine because granular activated carbon has lower contact time and reactivity with chloramine compared to free chlorine. The Brita Longlast+ (blue) performs better due to its catalytic carbon, but still doesn't fully remove chloramine. If your utility uses chloramine, an RO system or a catalytic carbon block filter is more reliable.
How long does it take for Brita to filter out chlorine?
Brita filters chlorine as water passes through the cartridge. There's no additional wait time beyond the few minutes it takes water to drip through the filter. The chlorine is removed during the filtration process itself — water that has passed through the filter is ready to drink immediately. However, make sure your filter isn't expired — an overused carbon filter loses effectiveness and may fail to remove chlorine.
Does filtering out chlorine make tap water safer?
Removing chlorine improves taste but doesn't dramatically improve safety for most U.S. tap water. Chlorine at tap water levels isn't directly harmful for healthy adults. The bigger health benefit of filtering is removing disinfection byproducts (THMs, HAAs) that chlorine creates — but standard Brita filters only partially address these. For meaningful health protection, an RO system that removes DBPs, PFAS, lead, and other contaminants is the better choice.
Does letting water sit remove chlorine the same way Brita does?
Yes, free chlorine will naturally off-gas from water left in an open container at room temperature — typically within 30 minutes to a few hours depending on the concentration and temperature. However, this only works for free chlorine, not chloramine (which is much more stable and doesn't off-gas easily). And it does nothing for other contaminants. A Brita filter is faster and more reliable for chlorine removal, and the Longlast+ also addresses lead and other contaminants.
What does NSF 42 certification mean for Brita?
NSF/ANSI Standard 42 covers aesthetic improvements in drinking water — specifically chlorine taste and odor, sediment, zinc, and particulates. It's a legitimate, independently verified certification that confirms Brita's claim of chlorine reduction. However, NSF 42 only covers aesthetics — it says nothing about health contaminants like lead, PFAS, arsenic, or bacteria. For those, you need NSF 53 (health effects) or NSF 58 (RO systems).