You have to keep the membrane wet at all times. If it dries out, it's pretty
much done. Running water through it weekly has always been enough. If you are
going to be storing long term, remove the membrane and store it in a plastic
bag of water in the fridge. Don't Freeze it.

Use the unit to produce drinking water for the wife's tea or coffee a couple of
times and she'll be sold. That's how I convinced mine...

HTH,
RandalB