Last Updated on March 24, 2024 by Admin
Taking showers is an essential part of our daily hygiene routine. However, did you know that showering exposes us to toxins and chemicals commonly found in tap water that can negatively impact our health, skin, and hair? This is where installing a quality shower filter can make all the difference.
Table of Contents
Removing Toxins, Chlorine, and Other Contaminants
Standard unfiltered tap water contains high levels of chlorine, which public water treatment facilities add to disinfect the water supply. However, chlorine can dry out our skin and damage hair, and we can even absorb some chlorine through our skin when we bathe and shower. Other potential contaminants lurking in tap water include heavy metals like lead, pollution and pesticide residue, sulfur odors, and more.
A good shower filter will remove most of these impurities, resulting in purified water that nourishes your body rather than poisoning it. Popular filtration methods used in shower filters include:
- KDF medium – removes chlorine, metals, sulfur odors, and some microorganisms
- Activated carbon – eliminates chlorine, pesticides, benzene, and VOCs.
- Vitamin C – neutralizes chlorine
- Ceramic filtration – traps sediments, parasites, bacteria
Softening Hard Water for Healthier Skin and Hair
Hard water is caused by high levels of calcium and magnesium, which can leave chalky mineral deposits on your skin and hair after bathing. The minerals disrupt the cleansing process, causing the skin to feel dry and itchy afterward. Hard water also makes it difficult to lather soap and shampoo properly.
Shower filters can soften hard water by removing a portion of the minerals for a smoother, squeaky-clean feel. Your skin will absorb moisture better without mineral residue or soap scum buildup. Meanwhile, your hair will dry with less frizz and improved shine.
Improving Respiratory Conditions
The steam from hot showers can carry chemicals like chlorine directly into our lungs when we breathe. This chemical irritation can aggravate respiratory issues like asthma and allergies over time. Installing a shower filter reduces our exposure to these lung irritants, allowing us to breathe more easily. Studies have linked shower filter use to fewer asthma symptoms, and fewer missed school days for children prone to asthma attacks.
Choosing the Best Shower Filter System for Your Home
Deciding which shower filter suits your household will depend on several factors. Consider the following criteria when shopping around:
Filtration Method and What It Removes
As discussed earlier, filters use different media to remove various contaminants. Make sure to select a filtration method that targets the specific toxins present in your local water supply. For example, a KDF filter would be ideal if you have issues with chlorine levels or heavy metals in your water.
You can contact your municipality to request a consumer confidence water quality report detailing which chemicals, toxins, and minerals are found in your tap water. This will help you choose the right filtration type to remedy your unique water issues.
Shower Head Attachments vs Whole House Systems
Shower filters come in two main configurations:
- Shower head attachments – The filter cartridge screws directly onto your existing shower head. These are quick and easy to install and generally the most affordable option. Remember that they typically only filter water feeding the main shower head.
- Whole-house systems—As the name suggests, these systems filter all the water entering your home before distributing it to various fixtures, including all shower heads. This is the most thorough option but requires professional installation and a higher upfront cost.
Consider the number of showers in your home and who uses them. Whole-house systems make more sense for larger households with multiple bathrooms.
Water Pressure/Flow Rate Requirements
Check your home’s water pressure level, measured in pounds per square inch (psi). Standard showers function best with around 80 psi. Verify that the shower filter you choose is rated for your existing water pressure – if it’s too low, you may experience frustrating dripping instead of a steady stream from the shower head.
Also, check the filter’s rated flow rate in gallons per minute (GPM). Choose a model able to accommodate the standard 2.5 GPM flow rate.
Filter Replacement Schedule
Be realistic about how often you’ll change the filter cartridge. Many models recommend replacing cartridges every six months. But if you foresee only getting around to it once a year, choose a shower filter with annual cartridge replacement instead. Changing filters regularly is crucial for the system to keep working effectively.
Proper Installation for Optimal Performance
Once you select the right shower filter system for your needs, the next step is installing it correctly. Here are the best practices to follow:
Pick an Easy Access Location
The location of your shower filter will depend on the specific model. Shower head attachments get screwed directly onto the shower arm pipe protruding from your wall. Make sure all connecting parts are visible and accessible to reach for ongoing maintenance.
Whole house systems require installing the filtration chamber along your main water line, so professional help is recommended. Make sure to request that the system be placed where you can still access it as a homeowner.
Adjust to Ideal Water Pressure
With the filter system in place, your installer will fine-tune your home’s primary water pressure to achieve the recommended psi for showering. Testing your shower post-install ensures you get the proper water pressure and temperature. Keep in mind that some pressure drop is inevitable after adding filtration. But the water flow should still feel satisfying.
Know When to Change Cartridges
Your shower filter won’t do you any good if you never change the cartridge! Cartridge changes vary based on a model from every six months to a full year. When considering shower filter options, check out reliable brands offering water filter shower head products that allow you to choose cartridge replacements on a schedule matching your household needs. Mark replacement dates on your calendar. Set up automatic cartridge reorders so you never run out and compromise the filtration performance.
Improve Hair, Skin, and Health with Filtered Showers
Need a little extra motivation to install that new shower filter? Here are some of the transformational effects you can look forward to:
Silkier Hair with Less Frizz
Chlorine causes the protective lipid layer around each strand of hair to wear away over time. This damage leads to lackluster locks prone to dryness and frizz even in humid weather. Softened filtered water allows you to rinse away dirt, oil, and product buildup from hair follicles without stripping away moisture, too. The result is sleek, frizz-free hair that looks salon-styled straight out of the shower.
Velvety Soft and Supple Skin
Did you know your skin absorbs nearly 60% of the contaminants during a 15-minute shower? Gross! All those nasty toxins disrupt proper moisture retention in skin cells, leading to inflammation, itching, and flaking.
Installing a shower filter prevents the absorption of those irritants. That means your daily showers will leave your skin feeling soft, smooth, and oh-so-hydrated instead of tight, flaky, or itchy afterward.
Healthier Lungs and Airways
Breathing in hot steam infused with chlorine can inflame airways for healthy folks, especially those prone to respiratory issues like asthma. Studies demonstrate that using a chlorine-removing shower filter results in fewer asthma attacks, less airway inflammation, and improved breathing.
Closing Thoughts on Why You Need a Water Filter Shower Head
After learning about the many perks, installing a quality whole-house water filter or shower head attachment is a no-brainer.
Why continue exposing yourself to a cocktail of toxic chemicals every time you step into the shower when the solution is as simple as screwing on a small filtration system? I suddenly felt motivated to check out the shower filter options from reputable brands like water filter shower heads.
At the very least, I now see shower filters as just as vital for health and hygiene as toothbrushes! This simple upgrade will benefit our skin, hair, breathing function, and overall quality of life tremendously.
The critical information presented here helps you make an informed choice about the best shower filter system for your household’s needs. Here’s to many blissful and detoxifying showers in the future!
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