The Complete Guide to Shower Filters in Australia
Most people think carefully about the water they drink. Far fewer think about the water they shower in — and yet your skin and hair are exposed to it every single day. If you've been dealing with dry skin, brittle hair, or scalp irritation and can't figure out why, your shower water might be worth looking at.
What Is a Shower Filter?
A shower filter is a compact filtration device that attaches to your shower arm or hose and removes chlorine, chloramines, and other chemicals from the water before it hits your skin. They're easy to install (usually no tools required), affordable, and increasingly popular in Australian homes. Browse our full range of shower filters.
What Do Shower Filters Remove?
- Chlorine — the primary disinfectant in Australian town water
- Chloramines — increasingly used as a secondary disinfectant in many Australian cities
- Heavy metals including lead and copper
- Sediment and rust particles
- Some filters also reduce bacteria and VOCs
Types of Shower Filters
Inline Shower Filters
These fit between your existing shower arm and showerhead. You keep your current showerhead, and the filter sits in between. The most popular option for people who want filtration without changing their shower setup.
Handheld Shower Filters
A complete unit that replaces your existing handheld showerhead. The filter is built into the handle.
Multi-Setting Shower Filters
These combine filtration with multiple spray settings — typically 7 or more modes including rainfall, massage, mist, and jet. Our 7-setting shower filters are particularly popular.
Do Shower Filters Actually Work?
Yes — with some important context. A shower filter won't purify your water to drinking quality, but it significantly reduces chlorine and chloramines, which are the main chemicals responsible for skin and hair issues from showering. Results are most noticeable for people with sensitive skin, eczema, psoriasis, or colour-treated hair.
How Long Do Shower Filter Cartridges Last?
Most shower filter cartridges are rated for approximately 10,000–15,000 litres, which typically works out to 6–12 months for a single person or couple. A household of four might replace cartridges every 3–6 months.
Installing a Shower Filter
Genuinely easy. Most inline shower filters install in under 5 minutes with no tools — unscrew your existing showerhead, screw on the filter housing, then reattach the showerhead.
Shower Filters and Hard Water
If you're in a hard water area (common in parts of Western Australia, South Australia, and regional Queensland), standard shower filters don't soften water. For hard water, you'd need a dedicated water softener or a whole house system. That said, removing chlorine still makes a meaningful difference even in hard water areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a shower filter improve my skin?
Many people notice an improvement in skin hydration and reduced irritation within a few weeks of switching to filtered shower water. Results vary depending on your skin type and local water quality.
Are shower filters worth it in Australia?
Given that most Australian cities use chloramine as a secondary disinfectant, shower filters are particularly relevant here. At the price point they're available for, they're worth trying — especially if you have sensitive skin or colour-treated hair.
Can I use a shower filter with low water pressure?
Yes. Shower filters add minimal resistance to water flow. If you already have low pressure, choose a filter with a larger cartridge capacity to minimise any additional restriction.
Do shower filters remove fluoride?
Standard shower filters don't effectively remove fluoride. For fluoride removal, a reverse osmosis drinking water system is the most effective solution.
Ready to Find Your Shower Filter?
Browse our full range of shower filters Australia — inline, handheld, and multi-setting options available. Questions? Get in touch.