Chlorine and chloramines, which can irritate the skin, are eliminated by installing a shower filter.
As chlorine has a harsh chemical flavor, many people filter their water before consuming it. Nevertheless, chlorine isn’t solely responsible for giving municipal water that pools flavor.
Damage from chlorine includes dull, fading hair and the exacerbation of skin disorders like acne and eczema. When you’ve had a long day, nothing beats stepping into a hot shower and unwinding with some gently filtered water on your skin. That’s why you must consider having a water softening system.
Understanding the Shower Filter System
By removing harmful chlorine and chloramine from the water, a shower filter prevents damage to the hair and skin caused by prolonged exposure to the water. Chlorine exacerbates various skin issues, including pimples, acne, and rashes.
Your skin produces oils to defend itself from environmental stressors and excessive use. The chlorine in swimming pools removes the skin’s natural oils, leaving it dry and irritated. Any preexisting skin sensitivity, especially in newborns and young children, will be aggravated by chlorine.
Unfortunately, chlorine also has adverse effects on hair. Bleached and lifeless, colored hair is the result of exposure to chlorine. Chlorinated water is terrible for hair because it leaves it dry, brittle, and stiff after washing. Chlorine can dry out hair, turn blonde hair green, and even give your family pet dandruff.
Chlorine, like salt water on the skin, can strip the hair of the natural oils that maintain it healthy and strong. It leads to dull hair cells and dry, itchy scalps. A shower filter is essential if your water has excessive chlorine that irritates your skin and hair.
The Filtration Process of Shower Filter
Shower filters can only do so much to prevent chlorine buildup. The filter or filter cartridge should be changed regularly, at least once every six months. The comparatively straightforward layout can’t fix every water quality problem, such as hard water, or eliminate every possible contaminant.
Filtering and Softening Water
Most water purification methods filter out sediment and other debris, but not all are effective against hard water. It is a distinct procedure known as “softening.”
Filtration systems are designed to remove larger particles and contaminants. In contrast, water softeners target smaller particles and more significant amounts of minerals like calcium and magnesium that contribute to hard water.
The Durability of a Shower Filter
The effectiveness of shower filters is only part of the story. These filters are short-term fixes because they must be replaced every six months, depending on how much water you consume. When installed and maintained correctly, the lifespan of more extensive systems, such as whole-house filtration systems or water softeners, can extend into decades.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Shower Filters
Using a shower filter has benefits and drawbacks, just like any other home improvement. A detailed description of the filter’s capabilities follows.
Benefits of Using a Shower Filter
- Regardless of the size or style of your shower head, you’ll be able to use a shower filter.
- Although prices vary depending on the brand and model, a good rule of thumb is to budget around $100 for a filter though some can cost much more.
- Because of its ease of use and quick setup, a shower filter is an excellent option for those with minimal filtration requirements.
Limitations of Water Filtration Systems for Showers
- The filters in your shower must be updated at least once every six months, costing you time and money. To add insult to injury, you probably won’t realize your filter needs replacement until you start having problems again.
- You are still working with a system that has intrinsic limitations, including but not limited to filtration capacity, even if you replace filters regularly. Most shower head filters are made to neutralize chlorine, but they don’t deal with any other potential water quality issues that can cause dry skin and hair.
- In addition, while a showerhead filter may help you feel more at ease when in the shower, it will not affect the water quality in other areas of your home. You may not be bothered by the smell of chlorine in the shower, but problems like rust stains, soap scum accumulation, and dry skin from frequent hand washing that a filter wouldn’t solve still exist.