I would disagree. Most people on here would say, (I think), that filters only need to be changed when they are falling apart or restricting water flow. Every time you throw a filter away, you're throwing away good bacteria. So, if it has carbon in it you can either just remove the carbon or replace that part periodically. Most filters can be cut apart so that you can remove the carbon and then keep the rest. I have the kind with the "black Plastic thingy with the blue pad on top", as scott describes it, and I have removed the carbon from the ones I'm using. Also, most of us on here don't use carbon all the time, but only if we are trying to remove meds or get tannins out of the water, or for some other special reason. As far as "blast it with water", rinsing the used filters is a good idea, to remove excess dirt, etc., but you should only rinse with dechlorinated water, as the chlorine in tap water will possibly kill the bacteria that you are trying to preserve. So, you shouldn't just put it under the sink and rinse. (There are debates about this too, but just assume it's true unless you want to get into the science of it yourself, as you're better safe than sorry.)