I've been rockin' a Brita for years, but in 2012 I've resolved to finally start filtering my shower water. While away for the holidays, I was amazed by the way my "problem" hair was soft and glossy and my post-shower skin was no longer itchy and red. Unless my mom's Costco shampoo is a serious miracle worker, I'm pretty sure the pure, clean well water at my parent's house was the catalyst.
There are amazing options available for whole-house filtration systems, but if you're an apartment dweller like me, your best bet is a shower-specific filter that attaches to the showerhead you already use. These filters have replaceable cartridges that generally need changing about every 6 months, but some can last up to a year. Most filters are fairly easy to install and even the most expensive options are still well under $100.
There are several types of filters available:
KDF (Kinetic Degradation Fluxion) filters use copper and zinc to electrochemically change the structure of particles like lead, chlorine, iron, mercury and hydrogen sulfide so that they're less harmful. If you want to know more, here's some rad science. However, there are some question as to the effectiveness of KDFs with low-flow showerheads, and they don't remove chloramines (chlorine plus ammonia) nearly as well as vitamin C filters.
Carbon filters are what you find in a Brita pitcher. Activated carbon is cheap, but it needs to be replaced often and tends to work better in cold water (not shower ideal). Because it does filter chloromine, carbon is usually used in conjunction with KDF like in this one.
Vitamin C filters use a tube of pure ascorbic acid to neutralize chlorine and chloramines. They do it very well (remove 99%), but keep in mind that they only filter those two chemicals, nothing else. Still, many claim this is the best option as it performs well in hot water. Vitamin C filters are popular in Asia and have only recently gained momentum in the US. For now, it's easiest to find them online.
After hours of research and stumbling on this review from Reactual, I've ordered a vitamin C filter. Your needs may be different depending on the contaminants in your water. Want to know what they are? The EWG will tell you! Other questions? Mr Water Filter has you covered!
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I take a lot of tub baths. For years I used a hand-held shower head with a filter and used it to fill the tub. When I moved I discarded that (it stretched out the hose and looked ugly). Now I have just a filter for showers. Does anyone know how to have at least chlorine-free water in the tub?
When I moved into my fiance's apartment, my hair suddenly got extremely dry and rigid and my skin broke out a lot. I assumed it was because of the poor water quality in his huge apt complex since the dishes were always covered in spots and deposits after coming out of the dishwasher. So I got a showerhead filter but it honestly did not help at all. I stuck with it for 1.5 years changing the filter diligently every 6 months as directed. No improvement. I don't remember the brand but from the descriptions you mentioned it may have been a carbon filter system. I hope you have better results! Please report back.
Actually I think I used it for 2.5 years with no improvement now that I think about it.
I've also read that it's important to get a backwashing filter to keep it from clogging.
kkkkaren, yes! They make vitamin C tablets to drop in the bath (I picture them like big Alka Seltzer tablets). Hope that helps!
http://www.amazon.com/Vitamin-Dechlorination-Bath-Tablets-Vitashower/dp/B004EZLY3E
Prematurely grey at 46. Since I decided to rock the grey hair I discovered a good water filter on the shower head helps with discoloration. Minerals and chlorine can make grey or white hair yellow. I'm using a Culligan shower attachment type and it does help.
46 is premature? Man, my family was not lucky. Grey at 25! I will pass your tip on though, thanks! :)
Well it started at 35 but you still have me beat. :) I also use a special shampoo once a week.
Yup 25 too.
legnaliz - it may be the hardness (mineral content) of the water that's the problem. I don't know how expensive a water softener is - but it will make a big difference. My hair always looks better when I'm visiting an area with soft water.
Filters like this don't help with hard water. I tried one for a year and it made no difference for my hair, unfortunately. Water softeners can help but are expensive and the salts they add to the water are bad for the environment.
Having gone grey in my 20s, one key to great white hair is to use white or clear shampoo and hair cair products. The other key is genetics.
No experience with hard water, so I can't say.
Honestly, we have a whole house carbon filter and while it removes the chlorine like a dream, we still have majorly hard water. As a consequence soap scum is a constant battle and even with soap things never really get clean especially oils. If you're anywhere near LA you may need to go reverse osmosis to actually get a clean feeling similar to that well water.
I got my first gray hair at 12. Yep 12. Now in my late 20s I'm super salt and pepper and have to dye my hair to hide those confusing gray hairs. So yes, this post is totally awesome since I'm tired of my hair feeling greasy and my color getting altered by the water.
Ha @Lomer - me too! Twelve! I can't be bothered with dyeing it though. I figure people just assume I am older than I am, but still look pretty good.
Thanks, Jenny Ann!
I've had an Aquasana for years and love it!
Excellent info. It makes such a difference when you shower. It feels weird showering at the gym or at a hotel. http://filtercon.com/
I've used Rainshow'r dechlorinator products for years and have had great results. They have filters for baths the shower and the garden. And its all American made which is a plus. I use their New Century shower filter and it lasts me almost 2 years. http://rainshowermfg.com/