Filtered showerheads are devices that filter out impurities from the water that comes out of your showerhead, such as chlorine, heavy metals, chemicals, bacteria, and odors. They are advertised as a way to improve your skin and hair health, as well as your overall well-being. But are they effective? And are they worth the money? In this article, we will look at the pros and cons of filtered showerheads, and help you decide if you should invest in one for your home.
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How Filtered Showerheads Can Benefit You
Filtered showerheads are devices that filter out impurities from the water that comes out of your showerhead, such as chlorine, heavy metals, chemicals, bacteria, and odors. They are advertised as a way to improve your skin and hair health, as well as your overall well-being. But how do they benefit you? And what are the drawbacks? In this article, we will look at the pros and cons of filtered showerheads, and help you decide if you need one for your home.
Pros of Filtered Showerheads
Filtered showerheads can have some benefits for your shower experience and your health, depending on the quality of your water and the kind of filter you choose. Some of the benefits are:
Less chlorine exposure: Chlorine is a disinfectant that is added to municipal water to kill harmful germs and prevent waterborne diseases. However, chlorine can also harm your skin and hair, by drying them out, irritating them, changing their color, and causing allergic reactions. Filtered showerheads can help to remove chlorine from the water, reducing its smell and its effect on your body.
Culligan, a water treatment company, says that filtered showerheads can reduce chlorine odors, prevent dry skin, and protect hair from damage. No heavy metals: Heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium, can be found in some water sources due to natural or human-made contamination.
These metals can be dangerous for your health, such as causing neurological damage, kidney problems, and cancer, if you swallow them or absorb them through your skin. Filtered showerheads can help to remove heavy metals from the water, keeping you safe from their harmful effects. Bathroomaholic, a website that reviews bathroom products, says that some filtered showerheads use ceramic beads or other filtering media to remove heavy metals and other harmful contaminants from water.
Cleaner water: Chemical pollutants, such as pesticides, herbicides, pharmaceuticals, and industrial waste, can also pollute some water sources and affect your health. These pollutants can cause hormonal imbalances, reproductive issues, immune system disorders, and other chronic diseases. Filtered showerheads can help to remove chemical pollutants from the water, lowering your exposure to these substances.
Storables, a website that provides home organization tips, says that filtered showerheads can improve water quality by removing impurities and benefiting skin, hair, and respiratory health. No bacteria: Bacteria can grow in your showerhead and the water, especially if the water is warm and stagnant. Some of these bacteria can cause infections, such as Legionnaires’ disease, which is a serious form of pneumonia.
Filtered showerheads can help to stop bacterial growth in the water, by making it unsuitable for them or by killing them with antibacterial agents. Free sites like a website that compares online services say that some filtered showerheads use KDF-55, a copper-zinc alloy, to stop bacterial growth and remove chlorine.
Why Filtered Showerheads May Not Be for You
Filtered showerheads are devices that filter out impurities from the water that comes out of your showerhead, such as chlorine, heavy metals, chemicals, bacteria, and odors. They are advertised as a way to improve your skin and hair health, as well as your overall well-being. But are they effective? And are they worth the money? In this article, we will look at the pros and cons of filtered showerheads, and help you decide if you need one for your home.
Cons of Filtered Showerheads
Filtered showerheads also have some drawbacks, however. Some of the disadvantages are:
Lower water pressure: Filtered showerheads can lower the water pressure in your shower, making it less fun and less efficient. This is because the filter adds an extra layer of resistance to the water flow, and may get clogged over time. Bathroomaholic, a website that reviews bathroom products, says that some filtered showerheads can lower the water pressure by up to 50%.
More maintenance: Filtered showerheads have a short lifespan, and need to be changed often to keep their effectiveness. Depending on the kind and quality of the filter, you may need to change it every few months or even every few weeks. This can increase the cost and trouble of using a filtered showerhead.
Culligan, a water treatment company, says that you’ll need to change the filter or filter cartridge frequently, usually every six months. Not all contaminants removed: Filtered showerheads may not be able to remove all the contaminants from the water, especially those that are dissolved or volatile.
For example, filtered showerheads cannot soften hard water, which is water that has high levels of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. Hard water can cause scale buildup, damage your plumbing and appliances, and make your skin and hair dry and dull.
Filtered showerheads also cannot remove chloramine, which is a mix of chlorine and ammonia that is used as a different disinfectant in some water systems. Chloramine can have similar effects as chlorine but is more stable and harder to remove. Filtered showerheads may also fail to remove fluoride, which is added to some water sources to prevent tooth decay, but can also cause dental fluorosis, thyroid problems, and bone disorders.
Filtered showerheads may also miss volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are chemicals that can evaporate from the water and be breathed in, causing respiratory and neurological issues. Bathroomaholic says that filtered showerheads cannot remove hard water, chloramine, fluoride, or VOCs.
Is a Filtered Showerhead Right for You?
The answer to this question depends on several factors, such as the quality of your water, the kind of filtered showerhead, your personal preferences, and your budget. If you do a water quality test, you can find out what contaminants are in your water and how much of them. This can help you decide if you need a filtered showerhead and what kind of filter would suit your needs. You can also compare different filtered showerheads based on their features, performance, price, and reviews. You can also compare the pros and cons of filtered showerheads and see if they are better than the alternatives, such as whole-house water filtration systems, water softeners, or bottled water.
To sum up, filtered showerheads can have some benefits for your shower experience and your health, but they also have some drawbacks and limitations. They can help to reduce chlorine exposure, remove heavy metals, remove chemical pollutants, and stop bacterial growth, but they can also lower water pressure, need more maintenance, and miss some contaminants. Whether you need a filtered showerhead or not depends on your water quality, your filtered showerhead choice, your personal preferences, and your budget. You should do your research and make a smart decision before buying a filtered showerhead for your home.
Sources:
- Do Shower Filters Work? The Truth About Shower Water
- What Are Shower Filters and Do They Really Work?
- What Is A Showerhead Filter
- Filtering the Facts: Do Shower Head Filters Really Make a Difference?
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