Refrigerator water filter — bag the old filter before the trash

A spent refrigerator water filter often holds water. Before you walk across the kitchen, drop the old cartridge into a small bag or wrap so drips stay off the floor — then finish the new fridge filter seat and purge.

Bag the old fridge filter before the trash

1. Have a small plastic bag or wrap ready before you twist the old filter free — keep a towel under the housing for the first pull.
2. As soon as the old cartridge clears the housing, tip any free water into the sink, then bag it closed so leftover drips cannot trail to the trash.
3. Seat the new filter fully (wet the o-ring if your manual says so), then purge the first glasses to the sink as usual.
4. Toss the bagged filter with household trash unless your local rules say otherwise — do not leave it upright on a counter to “drain later.”

Honest stop: if the housing itself keeps dripping after the new filter is locked, shut the fridge water valve and check the o-ring seat — bagging the old filter will not fix a housing leak.

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