Dry, itchy skin? Dull, brittle hair? Chlorine smells coming from your showerhead? If these things are ruining your shower experience, it’s no wonder you’re searching for an answer. You might opt to try a shower water filter as a simple DIY solution — or you could explore a more long-term, comprehensive approach.
Let’s take a closer look at shower filters and compare them with other home filtration systems that might address your needs more thoroughly.
Do Shower Filters Work?
The short answer: Yes, depending on what you are looking to address, shower filters can work. They can help reduce chlorine odors and improve the feel of your skin and hair — but they have limitations. Most are only designed to reduce chlorine at the point of use, which might help with dryness, irritation and hair damage, but they require frequent filter replacements to remain effective. Moreover, the true culprit to dry and irritated hair and skin are calcium and magnesium, which shower filters are not generally designed to handle.
Why You Might Choose a Shower Head Filter
Tap water from municipal sources can retain varying amounts of chlorine following the disinfection process, as chlorine is commonly used to disinfect water and kill germs that may cause salmonella, norovirus and other health concerns. This means that, in some ways, chlorine in your water is a good thing.
However, this chemical element can also cause a few problems, especially when it’s coming from your showerhead. If you regularly shower under chlorine water, you might notice some of these issues:
- Chlorine odors
- Weak, dry hair
- Split ends
- Changes in natural or artificial hair color
- Dry, irritated skin
You probably want a fast, simple solution to improve your shower experience and eliminate these irritating effects. That’s why many people turn to shower water filters — but the results might not be all that you’re hoping for.
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How Do Shower Water Filters Work?
Shower water filters come in a variety of sizes and styles; all fit directly onto your showerhead. These DIY solutions can help:
- Address chlorine levels
- Reduce heavy metals and sediment (in some cases)
- Help prevent dry skin
- Limit hair damage
However, shower filters have their limits. You’ll need to frequently replace the filter or filter cartridge — usually every three to six months. Even then, the relatively simple design can’t address all the water quality issues impacting your shower, including one the of the biggest: hard water.
Filtering vs. Softening
Shower water solutions generally offer filtration; they don’t address hard water. That requires a different process called softening. A shower filter generally traps or otherwise removes a small number impurities, contaminants or particles; the technology generally doesn’t have the capability of removing dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium, which cause hard water. Meanwhile, a water softening system is designed to remove these excess minerals through a specialized process called ion exchange.
So, do shower filters soften water? Unfortunately, the answer is no: Shower head filters are generally designed to address chlorine problems, not minerals. If you’re looking for hard water solutions, you’ll need a water softening system.
What Else Do Shower Filters Miss?
Shower head filters don’t just miss minerals such as calcium and magnesium. They also don’t address other common water quality issues, , including excess iron and sulfur. Iron water contamination can lead to red or brown stains on your faucets and tub, while sulfur creates an unpleasant smell that might remind you of rotten eggs.
That means that you could spend significant time researching and selecting a shower filter, only to still end up with a frustrating shower experience because your filtration isn’t comprehensive enough.
Shower Filter Lifespan
Another thing to consider when it comes to shower filters is their lifespan. Because these filters last only about three to six months depending on the amount of water you use, they’re temporary solutions at best. More comprehensive systems, like whole-home filtration systems or water softeners, last much longer (sometimes even decades) when installed and maintained properly.
Pros and Cons of Shower Filters
As with most home-improvement options, shower filters have pros and cons. Here’s an honest look at what you can expect from these filters:
Advantages of Shower Filters
- Size: Shower filters are compact and can fit a variety of shower head shapes, sizes and designs.
- Price: Although shower-head filters come in different makes and models, it’s generally safe to assume you’ll spend somewhere between $40 and $175 for one (though some can cost much more).
- Simplicity: A shower filter is not difficult to install and can start working right away, making it a simple choice for basic filtration needs.
Disadvantages of Shower Filters
- Filter replacement: Because filters need to be replaced so often, you’ll spend a significant amount of time and money to maintain shower filter functionality. In addition, you likely won’t know that your filter needs replacing until old issues start coming back, which can lead to plenty of irritation.
- Filtration capabilities: Even if you stay on top of regular filter replacement, you’re still working with an inherently limited system. Most shower head filters are designed to handle chlorine effectively, but they don’t address other water quality issues that could lead to dry skin and hair.
- Other limitations: A shower-head filter is designed to give you confidence in the water you’re showering with — but what about the water in the rest of your home? Chlorine smells may bother you elsewhere, while issues not addressed by a shower head filter can lead to rust stains, soap-scum buildup and even dry skin from washing your hands.
Are Shower Filters Worth It?
Although they might be a decent choice for managing chlorine-related issues, shower filters generally may not be worth the time, effort and money required for regular filter replacement. They also don’t treat all of the water quality problems that could affect your shower experience. That means they’re generally best used as a temporary solution until you can have a more comprehensive system professionally installed.
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Already Have a Shower Water Filter?
If you already have a shower head filter and are questioning whether it’s the most effective solution for your home, know that there are ways to fix your water quality woes, and the process starts with a water test and consultation. You can have your water tested once without the filter and once with it — that way, you can directly compare the results. You’ll be able to see important information, like:
- What your shower filter is and isn’t addressing
- Your water’s hardness levels
- Potential contaminants that may require more comprehensive filtration
Your local Culligan expert can perform these tests for you and help you interpret the results. Better yet, they’ll give you advice on which filtration and/or softening solutions can fill the gaps left by your shower head filter (and whether it’s time to say goodbye to it once and for all).
Alternative Solutions to Shower Filters
Whether you’re looking for your first filtration system or want to replace your shower-head filter, there’s good news: You have options. Although a shower water filter is a relatively quick DIY solution to your problem, it’s not a comprehensive one — and there are long-term solutions that may provide a more effective, longer-lasting result in your whole home instead of just your shower.
Whole-Home Filtration
Installing a whole-house water filtration system will mean cleaner water everywhere. Plus, whole-house filtration addresses issues far beyond chlorine, helping minimize the presence of contaminants like iron, sulfur and more. That means you can feel better drinking, cleaning and bathing in your home’s water.
Water Softening
Another way to improve your shower experience is to install a water softener. A water softening system is designed to attract and remove calcium and magnesium, softening your water in the process. Hard water can create a variety of issues and annoyances, from dry skin and hair to soap-scum buildup, spotty dishes and even reduced efficiency or a shorter lifespan for water-using appliances. Water softening will help you avoid all of these.
Mix and Match
Remember, you don’t have to choose between filtration and water softening; these solutions actually complement one another. Additionally, you may also find one system with softening and filtration capabilities, like Culligan’s Aquasential® Smart High Efficiency Municipal Water Softener, which tackles both hard water and chlorine. The important thing is to choose systems and solutions that work well together — something your local Culligan water expert can help with.
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Say Goodbye to Limited Filtration
A shower head filter might seem like an easy, inexpensive choice at first glance, but it’s not a good substitute for more-comprehensive solutions. That’s because shower filters generally only handle chlorine, leaving the rest of your water quality unaddressed. Additionally, these systems require filter replacement as often as every three to six months — so they might not be a cheap option after all.
For long-term peace of mind, it’s important to think beyond the shower and beyond limited filtration options. A whole-home filtration system and water softener will improve your water quality and give you confidence in what’s coming out of any faucet in your home.
It all starts with a free water test and consultation — so schedule yours today
