Are Shower Filters Effective?
Shower filters are effective at removing certain contaminants from your water supply. One of the main benefits of a shower filter is that it can remove chlorine from your water. Chlorine is often added to municipal water supplies as a disinfectant, but it can also dry out your skin and hair and cause other health concerns if ingested over time.
Shower head filters use activated carbon or KDF (kinetic degradation fluxion) filtration media to neutralize the chlorine in your water, leaving you with a more pleasant and less harmful showering experience. Another common issue that shower carbon filters can help address is hard water. Here is a list of the best shower water filters that you can check out.
How Do Shower Filters Work?
The basic principle behind shower filters is simple: they use various types of media to trap or remove unwanted substances from the water. For example, activated carbon is a common type of media used in many shower filters. It works by attracting and trapping chemicals like chlorine, which can irritate skin and hair. Other media types include KDF (kinetic degradation fluxion), ceramic balls, and magnetic fields.
Many shower filter companies also often incorporate additional features with shower filters such as vitamin C filters or minerals like tourmaline to add beneficial elements to the water for healthier hair and skin.
What to Do Before Buying a Shower Filter?
Before you purchase a shower head filter, it is necessary to consider some important things.
Know the contaminants in your water
Before investing in one for your home, it’s important to know what contaminants are in your tap water. The primary pollutants that can be found in tap water include chlorine, lead, mercury, pesticides, and bacteria. Each contaminant has unique effects on the body.
Knowing the contaminants in your water will help you determine what type of filter will work best. With this knowledge, you can select a shower filter that will remove the specific contaminants in your water and improve your health.
Look for the performance data sheet
Another important factor to consider when shopping for a shower filter is the performance data sheet. This document contains valuable information about how well the filter will work, what contaminants it can remove, and how long it will last.
The performance data sheet should provide details on the filter’s flow rate, affecting how much water can pass through the filter simultaneously. It should also include information on what contaminants the filter is designed to remove. Additionally, it may provide details on how long each cartridge or unit is expected to last before needing replacement.
Search for customer reviews
Before making a purchase decision, take some time to read through reviews on e-commerce websites or forums. Look for patterns in feedback, such as common complaints or praises. Read positive and negative reviews to get a balanced perspective on the product’s performance. Keep an eye out for comments about installation difficulty or compatibility with different types of filtered shower heads.
By searching for customer reviews before buying a shower filter, you can save yourself time and money in the long run.
What Contaminants Do Shower Filters Remove or Reduce?
Shower filters are designed to remove or reduce various contaminants that may be present in your shower water, such as chlorine, heavy metals, and bacteria. Doing so can help improve the overall health and appearance of your skin and hair.
One of the most common contaminants that shower filters are designed to remove is chlorine. This chemical is commonly used by municipal water treatment facilities to disinfect water supplies. While it’s effective at killing harmful bacteria and viruses, it can also cause dryness and irritation of the skin and scalp. Shower filters use various methods to neutralize or remove chlorine from your shower water, including activated carbon and vitamin C filtration systems.
In addition to chlorine, many shower filters target heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and nickel.
Benefits of Shower Filters
The benefits of shower filters go beyond just improving the quality of your shower water; they can also positively affect your skin, hair, and overall health.
Reduces Skin & Hair Issues
Shower filters are essential for those looking to reduce skin and hair issues caused by hard water. Hard water is a common issue many households face, and it occurs when the water has high concentrations of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. These minerals can cause dryness, irritation, and even hair loss. Shower filters remove these unwanted minerals from the water, leaving you to shower with clean and healthy water.
Easy to install
Changing a shower filter is not hard. Unlike other home water filtration systems, anyone with basic plumbing knowledge can easily install shower filters. Simply attach the shower head to the filter, and you are ready to go. Most filters also have settings that allow you to adjust the water flow and pressure.
Long Filter Lifespan
Another benefit of shower filters is their long filter lifespan. Unlike other types of filters that need to be replaced frequently, shower filters can last for several months before needing to be changed.
The reason for this long lifespan is due to the type of contaminants that are typically found in shower water. While some sediment and minerals may be present, they aren’t as harmful or abundant as chemicals like chlorine and chloramines. Shower filters are designed to remove these chemicals from the water so they don’t become clogged or overloaded with contaminants as quickly as other filters.
Can Shower Filters Soften Hard Water?
Shower filters cannot soften hard water. The minerals that cause hardness, such as calcium and magnesium, are dissolved in the water and cannot be filtered out by most shower filters. However, some high-end filters may use ion exchange to remove these minerals and reduce hardness.
While shower filters may not soften hard water, they can still benefit those with sensitive skin or allergies. They can help remove chlorine and other chemicals from the water that can irritate the skin or exacerbate conditions like eczema.
Can Shower Filters Remove Chlorine?
Yes, shower filters can remove chlorine and other contaminants from your shower water. Chlorine is a chemical commonly added to municipal water supplies to disinfect and kill harmful bacteria. However, when we shower in chlorinated water, we inhale the vapors and absorb them through our skin. Over time, this can lead to dryness, irritation, and even health problems.
A good shower filter will remove up to 99% of chlorine from your water supply before reaching your skin and lungs, providing a much healthier and more enjoyable shower experience.
Can Shower Filters Help With Hair Loss?
Shower filters can play a role in preventing hair loss, especially if the cause is related to the quality of your water.
When you take a shower without a shower filter, the hot water opens up your scalp’s pores and allows any toxic substances in the water to get absorbed by your skin. This includes chlorine, commonly found in tap water, and can strip natural oils away from your scalp, leaving it dry and prone to breakage.
A high-quality shower filter removes these harmful toxins from the water supply, providing softer, cleaner water that doesn’t compromise the health of your hair follicles.
Should You Filter Shower Water?
Tap water contains chemicals and impurities, such as chlorine and heavy metals, that can harm our skin and hair in the long run. This is where shower filters come into play. There are several benefits of using a shower filter.
A shower filter can help to remove any unwanted impurities from the water before it comes into contact with your skin. This can particularly benefit people with sensitive skin, eczema, or psoriasis. Filtered water can also help to prevent dryness and irritation caused by hard water minerals. Additionally, it can also improve air quality in your bathroom.
How Often Should You Replace Shower Filters?
The frequency at which you should replace your existing shower head filter depends on various factors, such as water quality in your area, usage, and filter type. In areas with hard water or high chlorine levels, replacing shower filters is recommended every three to six months. However, if you use your showers less frequently or have relatively clean water in your area, you can stretch this timeline out further.
It’s important to note that some shower filter models have an indicator that signals when it’s time for a replacement. This feature makes it easier for users to remember when they last replaced their filter.
Do Shower Filters Affect Water Pressure?
Not all shower filters reduce water pressure. Many high-quality shower filters are designed to maintain optimal water flow without compromising pressure. If you’re experiencing low water pressure after installing a filter, it could be due to other issues like clogged pipes or valves.
Moreover, some older or inexpensive models of shower filters may cause a reduction in water pressure due to their design limitations. Therefore, when shopping for a shower filter, choosing one specifically designed for maintaining optimal water flow while still filtering out harmful contaminants such as chlorine and bacteria is crucial.
Conclusion
Shower water filters have been shown to reduce chlorine levels and other contaminants in shower water. While the effectiveness of these filters varies based on the type of filter and water quality, they can provide significant health benefits for those with sensitive skin, allergies, or asthma.
Before buying a shower water filter, it’s important to know about the contaminants in your water so that you can buy a filter that will effectively remove them. In addition, you should buy a filter that is easy to install and can reduce your skin and hair issues.
