In a world where we’re constantly exposed to plastics, chemicals, pollutants, and pharmaceuticals, filtered water is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Last year, after learning about all the nasty things living in our city water, I bought a gravity-fed water filter for all of our drinking and cooking water. Through my research, I also learned that the water we bathe in can affect our health, making a shower filter essential.
It might sound crazy to you, but all the chemicals in your tap water can be absorbed into your body through your skin and hair. Additionally, we inhale those chemicals in the form of harmful vapors, especially in the shower. Don’t believe me? Check your local water to find out what kinds of pollutants you’ve been exposed to.
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How does a shower filter work?
There are many different kinds of shower filters, but they work the same as a gravity-fed water filter does. After entering the filter, tap water passes through a few stages of filtration before exiting the filter to be used. Using a shower filter is the same experience as using a showerhead without one. Once the filter is installed, it processes and produces clean water quickly to be used immediately.
Benefits of using a shower filter
Better for your skin and hair
Removing the harsh chemicals from your bathing water will do wonders for your skin and hair health. Skin and hair are very absorbent, so the forever chemicals, microplastics, chlorine, and pesticides in our bathing water can easily affect your internal and external health. Side effects of this include dull, lifeless skin, eczema, irritated skin conditions, and brittle and damaged hair. I’ve always struggled with dry skin, so using my shower filter has really boosted my hydration levels. I’ve also noticed less build-up on my usually dry scalp leading to more good hair days!
Increased indoor air quality
Chlorine from tap water can easily become airborne if you’re running hot, unfiltered water in your home, resulting in higher levels of chloroform in the air of many US households. As you can imagine, reducing contaminants in our water via filtration is essential to improving home air quality.
Better for your Shower
Chemicals in the water can cause nasty build-up in your shower. This is inconvenient to clean in addition to being a health risk. Every time you run hot water over these chemicals, they are vaporized and thus easily inhaled or absorbed by the body. Using a filter means you will need to deep clean the shower less often and it will be a cleaner and safer place to bathe.
Better for your respiratory health
Recent studies have shown that mycobacteria buildup in showerheads can affect your respiratory health, causing a host of lung diseases. Additionally, exposure to chlorine and other chemical fumes in hot showers can lead to contracting asthma and bronchitis. I know we are all constantly exposed to lots of pollution and chemicals, so reducing this direct exposure in my home is one way to regain control of my health and wellness.
Where to buy a shower filter?
There are so many options out there and it can be overwhelming to choose. We only have good things to say about the shower filter from the British Berkefeld/Doulton company. We use their gravity-fed water filter for our drinking water, so their shower filter was a natural choice. It works well, is set at an affordable price (they often run sales), and is made by a brand we trust. I would highly recommend checking them out if you haven’t already!
Other benefits of this filter:
- 3rd party certified
- Filters out 99.9% of contaminants
- British Berkefeld has been making ceramic filters since 1862
- This website runs regular sales
One of the most important parts of homemaking is ensuring my home is a safe and restorative place. Taking measures to use clean water in my home is just as important as making food from scratch or running the laundry. We are only beginning to understand how these harmful chemicals in our water will affect our health and the health of future generations. That being said, do your own research and learn about it yourself before making any serious decisions.
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