How to Purify Soapy Water

Ensure your water is safe to drink.

When camping, or in emergency situations, it may be necessary to purify previously used water that contains soap residue. Drinking from what appears to be a clean water source might lead to serious illness due to microscopic organisms that reside in many water sources. Water purification is a useful skill during any expedition where a clean water source is not necessarily immediately available. Taking necessary steps to ensure your drinking water is safe may prevent an unpleasant or even disastrous outing.

Things You'll Need

• Heat source
• Chlorine Tablets
• Cheesecloth or coffee filter
• 2 large pots for boiling

Instructions

1. Boil the water to remove soap residue and purify soapy water. Bring water to a rapid roll and allow to boil for a few minutes to kill any existing bacteria or contaminants. Boiling water reaches a temperature of 212 degrees Farenheit, which is hot enough to kill most pathogens.

2. Add chlorine tablets as an extra precaution to purify and remove soap buildup. Add one tablet to approximately one quart of water to remove sediment or soapy buildup. Shake the mixture to disperse and allow to sit for ten minutes or more to purify soapy water.

3. Pour water through a filter or cheesecloth to further remove any soap or contaminants. Lay the filter over an empty container and slowly strain the water through to catch any remaining soap or sediment that may exist in the purified water.

References

• Sportscomet: How Long Do I Boil River Water to Make It Drinkable
• Princeton.edu: OA Guide to Water Purification
• Survival Topics: How Long do you Need to Boil Water?