Back in January, I told you how I'd committed to using a shower filter to reduce chemicals in my water and help my hair and skin look and feel better. Well, it's been seven months, and I'm ready to reveal my results. Want to know the verdict?
It works (mostly).
I chose a vitamin C filter, which uses ascorbic acid to neutralize chlorine. When my delivery arrived, I excitedly opened the box, which contained an outer plastic tube and several smaller orange tubes (the actual cakes of vitamin C). I'm not especially handy, but installation was a snap. I just unscrewed my showerhead, put a vitamin C tube into the plastic cover, and screwed the whole thing back together.
During my shower, there wasn't the usual chlorine smell I'd become accustomed to, and the very first time I washed my hair in the filtered water it was noticeably softer and less frizzy.
But I'll admit, I was hoping that the filter would be a cure-all and it definitely wasn't. I've since realized that many of my problems were also caused by hard water, and the filter doesn't fix that. But it does exactly what it says it will: it removes chlorine. I will say, I was hoping that the longer I used it, the better the results would be, but that wasn't the case. I found that the improvement I experienced the first time was the best it ever got.
Although I live alone, I do love a long shower, so I've been steadily working my way though my refill cartridges; so far I've used four. It's easy to tell when to change it: the orange cake of vitamin C slowly disintegrates, and I really do notice more tangles and itchy skin when it's running low. I wish I didn't have to change it quite so often because, at $50 for five refills, it does add up. But overall, it's been a great investment, and I'll continue to use it.
(Image: Shutterstock)
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Try an activated carbon filter which will remove the ions which cause hard water. I've been buying them for years at home depot, I especially like the GE model, its easy to install and cheap to replace. I find mine lasts 2 months...its easy to know when to change since it literally becomes clogged with sediment. I notice a huge improvement in my hair (less sticky and frizzy) and the shower stays cleaner longer!
Do these affect water pressure? We already wish ours were stronger, so I wouldn't want to put in anything that would lessen it further.
Depending on the model you get it shouldn't effect water pressure much at all. I'm also not sure what kind of filter the author bought but mine says "replace every 6 months" so there are longer lasting filters out there than hers.
I have one and I love it. I notice when it's getting low as well and it's usually my dry skin that reminds me to change it. Mine is made by Aquasana and I bought it with the matching shower head. My husband and I take long showers and Oy lasts 6 months.
Actually, the water pressure decreases as the filter gets older, too. I highly recommend it. LA water is gross...
Companies like Culligan make both water softeners and filters to remove the chlorine. The latter costs approx 75.00 and last 6 mos, or more if there are only two people in the home. Culligan will install either for you, they also rent the softening units by the month, definitely cheaper in the long run than having to constantly replace carbon filters. Your skin will love you for it
It's unclear to me what you're trying to filter out, other than "chemicals" in your water. Of course, different filters may be needed.
As for chlorine, I wouldn't worry about that. It's a gas and dissipates easily when you run the water. That's why you smell it.
If hard water is your problem, I think a water softening unit is in order. It would be more efficient and economical than a filter in the showerhead.
BTW, why would you use a Vitamin C water filter? As the vitamin dissolves, you are bathing in it, and Vitamin C is an acid. Depending on the dosage, you might be harming your skin with acidic water.
My mother used to have filtered water everywhere in her previous house. It was fantastic for our skins (we're all prone to eczema and allergies in the family) but the downside was that it took forever to rinse out the shampoo and the soap. Not sure it was good for the environment as we all took much longer showers.
Do you have any actual knowledge on this subject or did you comment on how you "felt"?
1) depending on the temp of the shower more or less of the chlorine is in gas form when it hits you.
2) if you smell it that means not only is your skin absorbing it... YOU ARE BREATHING IT INTO YOUR LUNGS! it is detectable in your blood after a shower. it is a chemical that is known to cause cancer.
3)ascorbic acid(aka vit c) is known to neutralize chlorine. some city water treatment plants use it to get the chlorine out before discharging water back to a river/where ever.
ascorbic acid is a weak acid and a vitamin most of us can tolerate huge doses of...the amount used to naturalize the chlorine is probably more beneficial than anything.
you should seriously do some research or at very least simple google with the feeling lucky button before posting in then manner you did. it will save you from looking like a fool
The best shower filters that I've used are Rainshow'r filters. Carbon doesnt work well in hot water and vitamin c doesn't have the filter life. http://rainshowermfg.com/
I recently installed a shower filter--a Sprite high-output--and after one shower felt a difference in the softness of my skin and hair. This filter removes chlorine and adjusts pH & water hardness. (I second your comment, L.A. Lady, our water is disgusting!!)
According to the little web research I've done, it seems Vitamin C filters are, however, the only type of filter which can remove chloramine. Many municipal water companies, including my own, are combining or replacing chlorine with chloramine, which possibly has an even more harmful effect on the body. I'm thinking of ordering a Vitamax V.C. filter to finish the job... (Excessive? We'll see :)
There is an USDA article quoted about the advantages of Vitamin C in removing chlorine from water.
In fact, vitamin C is used in removing chlorine from aquatic water since it is not harmful for fish. I prefer to use something that is safe for fish, which I think will be safe for my skin too.
Here is the link where I found the information about Vitamin C chlorine filter and its advantages. They have referenced the USDA article ink also.