September 21, 2021 6 min read
Have you ever asked what is the best shower filter? In this article, we’ll guide you in choosing the best for you and your family.
If you’ve ever noticed that your skin feels extremely itchy and dry after a shower, it’s possible that your tap water is to blame. The tap water in many homes contains minerals and chlorine, which can be drying. It’s just like how chlorine from the swimming pool can dry out your skin and hair. Impurities in your shower water can leave a film on your skin, making it difficult to lather up and feel fresh and lean, even after vigorous washing.
There are likely a variety of contaminants in your water, ranging from heavy metals to pesticides. This residue clogs your pores, leading to acne and exacerbating skin diseases such as eczema and dermatitis. Installing a shower filter is a simple solution to get rid of bothersome hard water while improving your showering experience and making you feel extra clean.
According to studies, the water in our homes is the leading cause of dry, itchy skin and brittle hair. And I believe you all know — or can at least assume — what the reason is: disinfectants and pollutants.
Water is rarely just water. In many cases, treated water with chlorine or chloramine before being pumped to homes. Although those compounds are useful to our health in some ways, they are not very nutritious to human skin and hair.
Chemical reactions can also occur throughout the pipes, resulting in disinfection by-products, an unpleasant taste or odor, or even rendering the water hazardous to drink.
Showerhead filters were introduced to deal with disinfectants in the shower and have since become the most popular solution for such problems. It shows that these filters successfully eliminate various potentially dangerous contaminants – to the point where you can FEEL the rejuvenation after only one use.
The best shower filter depends on your needs. It doesn’t rely on a brand or how expensive it is. All extra features would be useless if you don’t need them. The best shower filter effectively filters out chemicals like chlorine that make your skin dry and may even cause hair loss.
Filtering media can target different impurities or provide additional benefits. There are filters that are more powerful than others, and some kinds may be better suited to your plumbing than others. Here’s a rundown of the various types of shower filters available.
Small barrels that attach directly to the pipe behind the showerhead are known as inline shower filters. The showerhead attaches to the filter, which connects to the tube.
These shower filters are large, easy-to-replace filter cartridges with numerous stages of filtration. Bacteria, DBPs, and other undesirable compounds are intercepted by carbon, calcium sulfite, vitamin C, ceramic balls, and silver.
Installing shower filters that are inline are simple to maintain. The filter’s body splits in half, allowing you to access the filter cartridge. Cartridges can last anything from 650 to 1,300 showers.
Showerhead filters will replace your existing showerhead and come with a built-in filtration system. They have the appearance of ordinary showerheads. Handheld detachable variants with filtering elements built into the handle are also available. If you already have a detachable spray nozzle, they’re an excellent choice.
However, unlike an inline filter, these handheld devices often do not deliver as much filtration. Some do, however, employ multi-layer filtering material, which expands their capabilities. Aroma filters, which are also available for some models, add a nice aroma to the water. This function may be especially useful for people who have hard water that smells like eggs.
You can combine these settings for even more filtration power if you want the best of both worlds.
These units will connect because they use common fittings. The water will first run through an inline filter, which will immediately remove most of the pollutants. The built-in filter will eliminate any lingering contaminants as the water reaches the showerhead.
The inline filter will still need to be changed as advised (every 650 to 1,300 showers), but this modification should extend the life of the showerhead filter.
Vitamin C can help neutralize chlorine when you mix it with the water supply, though its effectiveness is debatable. The Vitamin C pellets in the handle or cartridge add the powdered nutrient to the water stream while dechlorinating it.
Some say that these filters are just a fad that does not affect chlorine levels. On the other hand, Vitamin C is popular to increase collagen production so that it may improve the health of your skin and hair.
There’s also nothing wrong with getting some vitamin C from your showerhead. Add a vitamin C filter following your inline filter, or buy a cartridge with a vitamin C layer if you want an extra boost of antioxidants.
Multiple layers of carbon and other media are used in multilevel carbon filters to safely remove sediments and bacteria such as chlorine, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), lead, and fluoride from water.
Each layer focuses on a different type of pollutant. Chlorine, silt particles, VOCs, and any bad taste or odor, for example, are all removed by carbon. Granulated activated coconut charcoal is a prominent source of this carbon.
Carbon filters with multiple levels are less expensive than other choices. However, the less successful charcoal filters are at removing chlorine, the hotter the water is.
KDF (Kinetic Degradation Fluxion) filters are slightly more expensive than charcoal filters, although they are still reasonable. Copper-zinc media is used in KDF filters. They use a chemical process called redox to remove metals, chlorine, and hydrogen sulfide from the water.
The redox process is difficult to understand unless you have a chemistry degree. The KDF media, in essence, transfers electrons from hazardous pollutants and alters their chemical composition. Contaminants are rendered harmless by redox.
To give added protection against heavy metals, some filters and showerheads include a layer of KDF filtration inside multi-layer cartridges.
Aside from the various filter types available, a few more factors to consider when selecting the best shower filter for your home. Consider the filter’s lifespan, the types of contaminants it can remove, and the material used.
There are a few other aspects to consider when choosing the best shower filter for your house, aside from the numerous filter types available. Consider the filter’s lifespan, the impurities it can remove, and the appliance’s construction material.
Keep in mind that filter cartridges aren’t designed to last indefinitely. You’ll need to replace them now and then, but not every week. Despite other claims, they usually last about six months, depending on how many showers you take.
You don’t want to have to search for extra filter cartridges for your system. If you wanted to keep using your set, you’d have to buy a new one. Before you commit to a specific type of shower filter, make sure you get new cartridges without difficulty.
When we talk about detachable showerheads with media and scent filters built into the handle, choose a simple to clean one. Because you’ll be replacing the filters on them more frequently, you’ll want it to be a straightforward procedure. The handle of several of these devices contains pellets. There are no universal replacements for those. However, universal fragrance filters are available.
Adjustable water filters may help you manage how much water you use by allowing you to alter the water flow rate. Increased jets, pulsating massage settings, and even a downpour option are all available on some showerheads.
Don’t settle for anything less than a system that claims to be 99.9% effective. Manufacturers, on the other hand, are tight-lipped about what their filters can achieve. They don’t want to make any promises they can’t keep. Nonetheless, you should be aware of the impurities that these gadgets aim to eliminate.
The best shower filters should reduce or eliminate the following:
Instead of making your shower experience unpleasant, the shower filter should improve it. After a few usages, a shower filter should not leak or crack. Consider your water pressure as well. If you notice that your filter affects this, it’s probably wise to switch to a different one.
Some shower filters include several settings, such as rainfall or power massage, that you can use to customize your shower experience. It’s totally up to you how modern you want your showerhead to be.
What is the best shower filter? The best shower filter is up to you. All we can do is give you a guide and criteria on how to pick the best. Research as much as you can and read reviews. Try units from trusted brands and find recommendations from experts.
Awesome Water Filters offers shower filters in Australia that will make your shower experience a whole lot better!
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