As you stand under the steady stream of hot water in the shower, it feels soothing and relaxing. But what if that water carrying away the dirt and sweat from your body also contains impurities that could damage your hair, skin, and health over time? This guide will explore the benefits of shower filters for trapping those impurities, so you can enjoy truly purified water for your showers.
The Issues with Unfiltered Shower Water
Standard unfiltered shower water brings more than just water from the pipes into your home. It frequently contains:
- Chlorine – Added by water treatment facilities to disinfect public water supplies, chlorine can dry out skin and hair with repeated exposure.
- Heavy metals – Trace amounts of lead, mercury, and aluminum often leach into water from old pipes over time.
- Minerals – Hard water rich in minerals like calcium and magnesium can leave buildup on skin and hair.
- Bacteria and pathogens – While rare, imperfectly treated water can bring bacteria into the home through biofilm buildup in pipes or contamination events.
So every time you shower or wash your hair with unfiltered water, all these impurities end up on your body and hair. Over months and years, this can lead to noticeable issues:
- Brittle, dry hair prone to damage and breakage
- Itchy, flaky, dry skin and conditions like eczema
- Skin aging from heavy metals that degrade collagen
- Lung irritation or breathing issues from inhaled steam containing impurities
Clearly, showering in purified water is the healthy way to go. Installing a dedicated shower filter provides just this kind of purification.
The Benefits of Using a Shower Filter
Shower filters contain filtration media like KDF, activated carbon, and specialized resin beads. As water flows through this media, the impurities are removed through processes like absorption, oxidation-reduction, ion exchange, and mechanical filtration. This leaves you with water free from:
- Chlorine
- Heavy metals
- Minerals
- Bacteria and other pathogens
With these impurities filtered out, you’ll enjoy wide-ranging benefits:
Softer Skin and Hair
Removing minerals and chlorine prevents buildup that dries out skin and makes hair brittle. Expect softer, smoother skin along with shinier, stronger hair.
Fewer Skin Issues
Sensitive skin prone to issues like eczema and psoriasis benefits greatly from removing irritants like chlorine and heavy metals during showering. Filtered water can calm existing flare-ups while preventing future ones.
Allergy and Asthma Relief
For those with respiratory issues triggered by air pollutants, filtering out impurities from steam and avoiding lung irritation during showers can provide noticeable allergy and asthma relief over time.
Longer Lasting Fixtures
Just as filtered shower water keeps skin and hair healthy, it also prevents corrosion and mineral buildup on fixtures that can degrade shower heads and hardware over time.
As you can see, everyone in the home stands to benefit from shower filtration.
Main Types of Shower Filters
Two main shower filter types suit most homes:
- Fixed shower filters
- Handheld shower filters
Fixed Shower Filters
As the name suggests, fixed shower filters attach directly to your existing pipe-based shower head setup. They typically feature a replaceable filter cartridge enclosing the media, with fittings to screw in place between the pipe end and shower head.
Look for large filter cartridges that allow adequate exposure time for water to flow through sufficient filtration media. Well-designed cartridges also make replacing filters an easy twist-on, twist-off process.
Consider fixed shower filters with options like:
- Adjustable arms for directing spray
- Overhead rainfall designs
- Body jets
- Combination models with hand showerers
This flexibility suits everything from simple solo showers to family bath time.
Handheld Shower Filters
Featuring self-contained filter cartridges right inside the hand shower head unit, these portable filters allow flexible placement and positioning during use for targeted water flow.
Handheld designs work well for shower/tub combinations, cleaning pets, rinsing children’s hair, or even watering plants! Just take care to select a model meeting your home’s typical water pressure range to avoid issues like sputtering spray or leaks.
What to Look for in an Effective Shower Filter
With so many shower filter options available, choosing the right match for your household means checking a few key specifications:
- Filtration Capacity – Measure in gallons filtered before needing cartridge replacement. Opt for at least 6-month filter life assuming typical family usage.
- Filtration Media – Broadly effective media like KDF-55, activated carbon, calcium sulfite, and maifanite mineral balls provide thorough contaminant removal.
- Water Pressure Rating – Purchase shower filters rated for your home’s water pressure range. Standard models handle 20-80 PSI, but lightweight options for lower pressure exist.
- Certifications – Look for testing against NSF/ANSI standards confirming filtration of specific contaminants. This ensures safety and effectiveness.
High-performing shower filters balance these parameters for optimal results given your home’s water conditions. Reputable brands designing filters tested to handle real-world use over time offer peace of mind. When in doubt, check product reviews to confirm quality and longevity.
DIY Installation Made Simple
One of the best aspects of a filter for a shower head is the ease of installation. Most filtered shower heads utilize standard fittings compatible with any fixed shower pipe or hand shower hose.
Follow these basic installation steps:
- Turn off main water supply and open shower head to release pressure
- Unscrew existing shower head from pipe/hose end
- Apply thread seal tape to filter housing if desired
- Screw filter end with same threading as old shower head onto pipe/hose
- If combo filter, attach hand shower piece
- Turn water back on and check for leaks
- Enjoy instantly filtered shower water!
The process takes only a few tool-free minutes. Just take care to follow manufacturer instructions for your particular model.
Maintaining Your Shower Filter
To keep your shower filter working like new providing optimal filtration over the long term, follow this maintenance routine:
- Record install date to track lifespan
- Check cartridge regularly and replace per capacity rating
- Clean outside housing as needed with gentle cleaners only
- Ensure cartridge seats fully flush during changes
- Follow manufacturer advice on cleaning media if applicable
Proper care means consistent filtration performance and maximized value from your shower filter investment, as recommended by Eczema Australia.
Give Your Skin, Hair & Health a Break
Harsh pipe-borne impurities have no place in your shower water, especially given the proven benefits of thorough filtration. With the wide range of effective and affordable filters for shower head options available today from trusted brands, safeguarding your family represents an easy upgrade. Ditch damaging chlorine, metals, minerals and more starting today. Your skin, hair and lungs will thank you!
