Should you put a filter on your shower head?

Having clean and filtered water coming out of your shower head is important for a few key reasons. In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of shower head filters so you can decide if installing one is right for your home.

What are the benefits of a shower filter?

There are a few main benefits that a shower head filter can provide:

• Removes chlorine – Most city tap water contains added chlorine as a disinfectant. However, breathing in or absorbing too much chlorine can be harmful to your health. Shower filters help remove most of this added chlorine.
• Filters out heavy metals – Tap water may also contain small amounts of heavy metals like lead, mercury, and arsenic from old piping. Shower filters can remove up to 99% of these metals.
• Softens hard water – Hard water contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium. A shower filter can help reduce these minerals, resulting in softer water.
• Improves hair and skin – Softer water and removal of chlorine can leave your hair and skin feeling smoother and healthier.
• Prevents buildup – Hard water and minerals can leave buildup and residue on your shower head and bathroom surfaces. A shower filter helps reduce this buildup.

In summary, the key benefits are reducing chlorine exposure, filtering out heavy metals, softening hard water, improving hair and skin quality, and preventing buildup and residue.

What types of shower filters are available?

There are a few different types of shower filters to choose from:

• Carbon filters – These contain activated carbon that adsorbs and traps chemicals and impurities. Carbon filters are affordable and effective at removing chlorine.
• KDF filters – KDF (kinetic degradation fluxion) is a copper and zinc media that filters water through a chemical and mechanical process. KDF filters remove heavy metals.
• Vitamin C filters – These shower filters use vitamin C (ascorbic acid) to neutralize chlorine without removing healthy minerals. They gently soften hard water.
• Multi-stage filters – Combination filters use different filtering media like carbon, KDF, and vitamin C in separate stages for maximum contaminant removal.

The type you choose depends on your priority – whether it’s mainly chlorine removal, softening hard water, or removing heavy metals. Multi-stage filters provide the most thorough filtration.

Are shower filters easy to install?

Installing a shower filter is a relatively easy DIY project. Here are the basic steps:

1. Turn off your water supply and relieve pressure by turning on the shower temporarily.
2. Unscrew your existing shower head. You may need to wrap the connecting joint in a cloth and use pliers.
3. Attach the shower filter directly to the pipe coming out of the wall using the included fittings.
4. Screw the filtered shower head onto the front of the filter attachment.
5. Turn your water back on and check for leaks.

The process takes about 10-15 minutes. The only tool you need is a wrench or pliers to remove the old shower head. No special expertise is required.

How long do shower filters last?

Shower filter cartridges need to be replaced every 6-12 months depending on your water quality and usage. Heavy use will require more frequent cartridge changes. Here are general shower filter replacement timelines:

Filter Type	Filter Life
Carbon cartridge	6-9 months
KDF cartridge	9-12 months
Vitamin C cartridge	6-8 months
Multi-stage cartridge	6-12 months

Many shower filters come with a built-in color changing filter life indicator. This makes it easy to know when it’s time for a replacement. Otherwise, mark your calendar to replace them on schedule.

What are the downsides to shower filters?

There are a few potential drawbacks to consider with shower filters:

• Upfront cost – Shower filters range from $40 to over $100. Replacement cartridges add ongoing costs every 6-12 months.
• Lower water pressure – Any filtration system will reduce your water pressure somewhat. This may be noticeable if your home already has low water pressure.
• Maintenance and replacement – You’ll need to monitor and replace shower filter cartridges based on the manufacturer’s schedule.
• Inconsistent filtration – Over time as the filter cartridge wears out, it becomes less consistent at removing contaminants.

The loss of water pressure and ongoing cartridge replacement requirements are the main potential downsides. However, many find the benefits outweigh the maintenance needs.

How do I choose the right shower filter?

Here are a few tips for choosing the best shower filter for your home:

• Filter type – Consider a vitamin C or multi-stage filter if hard water mineral reduction is your main goal. For chlorine removal, carbon filters are very effective.
• Capacity – Choose a shower filter that is rated for at least double your home’s peak water flow rate.
• Fit – Match to your current fixed shower head arm size, or choose a handheld/mountable filter model.
• Filtration level – More filtration stages or media typically means better contaminant reduction.
• Ease of use – Seek filters with quick connect fittings, built-in gauge, auto reminder, etc. This improves long-term maintenance.
• Reviews – Select a highly rated shower filter model from a reputable brand.

Taking the time to understand your water quality issues and priorities will help you pick the right shower filter.

Top 5 shower filter recommendations

Based on the above criteria, here are 5 top-rated shower filter options to consider:

Filter	Key Features
Aquabliss High Output Revitalizing Shower Filter	– Multi-stage: Reduces chlorine, metals, odor, sediments
Culligan WSH-C125 Shower Filter	– Carbon cartridge: Removes >90% of chlorine
Berkey KBB22 Shower Filter System	– Fluoride reduction, long filter life
Aquasana AQ-4100 Deluxe Shower Filter	– Chlorine free, softens water, easy install
Sonaki Vitamin C Inline Shower Filter	– Natural coconut shell carbon media

This list provides high quality and high capacity shower filters across different filter media types. Compare the key features and reviews to select the best match for your home.

FAQs

Do shower filters soften water?

Some shower filters are designed to soften hard water by reducing minerals like calcium and magnesium. Vitamin C and multi-stage filters are the most effective at water softening. Carbon models do not reduce water hardness.

Where does a shower filter install?

Shower filters install between the pipe coming out of the wall and your shower head. They typically twist or screw into place quickly without much plumbing work required.

Will a shower filter increase water pressure?

Shower filters will almost always slightly reduce water pressure rather than increase it. However, they only cause a minor pressure drop that is barely noticeable in most homes.

Do you clean shower filters?

Shower filters don’t require cleaning. You simply replace the filter cartridge when its lifespan ends. Attempting to clean and reuse a spent cartridge won’t work well.

Do activated carbon shower filters remove fluoride?

Standard carbon shower filters do not remove significant amounts of fluoride from water. You would need a special fluoride reduction filter for this purpose.

The bottom line

Installing a shower filter provides benefits like removing chlorine, softening hard water, and preventing buildup. Go with a multistage filter if you want the most thorough contaminant reduction. Shower filters are easy to install, last about 6-12 months, and provide cleaner and healthier water.

Consider your specific water quality issues and showering needs. Compare the top products in different filter media types. With a quality shower filter installed, you can enjoy better hair and skin health while also keeping critical plumbing and surfaces residue-free.