Water Filtration

Shower filters are known to soften skin and hair and reduce ones exposure to chemicals commonly found in tap water. What is not as well known is the mechanism by which the shower filter media reduces these chemicals.

When possible, a high quality whole home water filter with carbon and KDF media is the ideal way to improve the quality of bath and shower water. By using this method all the taps in the house offer filtered water. The disadvantage to this approach however is that water that does not need to be filtered is filtered. For example, toilet flushing water, lawn irrigation, dishwashing water etc. Also, installation costs can be prohibitive where construction is necessary to make space for the equipment. In those situations where the costs of a whole home water filter system outweigh the benefits a high quality shower filter in the bathroom and a high quality point of use drinking water filter (countertop type or under sink type) can be an economical solution.

In the 1980’s several companies introduced shower filtration devices that utilized KDF media. The KDF media uses the chemical processes of reduction and oxidation to clean the water. To have a comfortable shower, a flow rate of 2.5 gallons per minute is desirable. To get this kind of a flow rate with a carbon based filter would require a filter cartridge the size of a small microwave oven! The adsorption process, the process by which carbon reduces chemicals in water, requires adequate contact time with the carbon media. To make this contact time adequate you can either increase the amount of carbon media (thereby increasing the carbon surface area) or decrease the flow rate of the water - which is of course undesirable. The KDF media on the other hand requires very little contact time for the chemical processes of reduction and oxidation to take place. This makes KDF ideal for a shower situation and is the biggest reason that all modern shower filters contain KDF. Shower filter manufacturers will often also include other ion exchange medias (often proprietary) or even some carbon.

Since KDF is found in almost all shower filters, the differences are found in the amount of KDF media, the style and shape of the filter housing and the type of shower head. Shower filters are available in a wide variety of styles and types.
Disposable - The entire housing is discarded at the end of the media’s life span. These are available with and without a shower head.

Refillable - A replaceable cartridge allows the housing to be used again and again. These are available with and without a shower head.

Handheld - with a hose and removable wand.

Extension - with a shower head that can be articulated in any number of positions.

With so many options, it is easy to find a shower filter that fits your needs and preferences.

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Looking for a hard water shower filter? I’ve got good news and bad. Hard water shower filters are available and some are reasonably priced. That’s the good news.

The bad news is that some hard water shower filters are very expensive for no good reason. Would you pay $249.00 for a hard water shower filter?

I might, if I could see a good reason for the price. This pricey system is supposed to “imbue” our waters with health giving qualities. Through the use of rare Japanese stones, they are supposed to provide antibacterial and antifungal action.

The company uses pseudoscientific jargon to promote the product and I’m sure that a lot of people fall for it. They also claim not to use ion exchange or softening chemical compounds. Instead, they say they use magnets.

It’s all very illogical. But, the fact is that you cannot “imbue” a liquid with anything simply by running it over a bunch of rocks. You can trap chemicals if the rocks are actually activated carbon granules. You can reduce hardness by exchanging mineral ions.

But, the reason that we need hard water shower filters has to do with the length of time that the waters sat in the ground. During that time, they absorbed some minerals. But, it didn’t happen overnight. The process certainly cannot be duplicated with a hard water shower filter, so there is literally no reason to pay this much for a product.

You always have to be a smart shopper, if you really want to get something effective. A couple of different companies claim to offer hard water shower filters. But, when you look at their product’s certified performance, you see they only remove chlorine.

You want hard water shower filters that also remove chlorine, because the chemical dries the skin and hair. It smells bad. It changes the natural color of your hair. If your hair is color-treated, it can turn it orange, pink or green, depending on the chemical reaction.

But, removing chlorine will not affect the hardness. Then there is a hard water shower filter that only contains water softening chemicals. So, it doesn’t remove chlorine and other chemical contaminants. Some of those chemicals cause cancer.

Researchers have proven that chemicals are absorbed through the skin and inhaled during a hot bath or while showering. The best hard water shower filters remove all of those cancer causing chemicals. They also remove copper.

Copper isn’t particularly hazardous, but it’s nice to have a hard water shower filter that removes it, because it can stain your tubs and fixtures. It can also change the color of your hair, particularly if it is treated.

With ion exchange, hard water shower filters balance mineral content, so you bathe in the softest waters available, without adding chemicals. This can be proven with real science, unlike the idea with the rocks.

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Showers are the leading cause of chlorine exposure. When heated, water flows out of the shower head and chlorine is vaporized into the steamy air. Vaporized chlorine is readily absorbed into open pores and even inhaled into the lungs. One 10-minute shower causes more chlorine absorption than drinking a day’s worth of unfiltered tap water. So what is the best shower filter to remove chlorine, volatile organic compounds, and heavy metals from the water?

Filter Media

State of the art shower filters use a patented filter media called KDF, which stands for Kinetic Degradation Fluxion. KDF is a fancy way to say that chlorine, heavy metals, and contaminants are attracted to the filter media by their respective positive and negative ionic charges. As water flows through the KDF a tiny current of electricity is generated, making it possible for the copper and zinc granules to rearrange the electrons of the contaminants, rendering 90% of the available chlorine harmless. KDF filters attract and sequester heavy metals and eliminate sulfur smells, odd tastes and colors.

KDF is sometimes combined with a granulated activated charcoal in two-stage shower filters. The zinc and copper in KDF filters naturally prevents bacterial growth, including E. Coli and molds. KDF is the media used in the best shower filters because it works well under high temperatures and high water flow. KDF filters last longer than activated charcoal filters. Most KDF filters last close to a year and filter thousands of gallons. High sediment levels may shorten filter life, however.

Cost

Most filters for the shower are in the $50 price range, although more expensive models are out there. Depending on the type of filtration used they will need replacement in 3 months to a year. GAC filters made from granular activated charcoal have the shortest life, while KDF filters can last eight months or longer. Generally, replacements cost about half the price of the initial filter assembly. But it is good to know that some of the less expensive ones only remove half of the chlorine. The best shower filters, made with KDF media, get rid of 90% of chlorine and a wide range of common contaminants.

Shower filters not only remove chlorine, but reduce hard water build-up and scale. Shower heads that use KDF naturally soften the water and balance pH for smoother, softer hair, as well as make your shower easier to clean. Using a filtration system in your shower will also prevent skin reactions and breathing problems related to the chlorine vapors.

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Shower water filter systems are not much different than installing a shower head. The content described below may be helpful for a variety of shower filtration systems or just upgrading a standard shower head. Always check the instructions that come with the item you purchased. By following the manufacturer’s recommendations when installing anything helps if you need that product warranteed.

Installing a shower water filter or a shower head is not a hard process most of the time. There are a few tools you will need to make the process easier. A pair of adjustable pliers like the channel lock brand and an adjustable wrench. The other things you may need is a small roll of Teflon tape and or a small can of pipe dope, a couple of rags and an old tooth brush. If you do not know what Teflon tape is, it is the white looking film that might show above where you shower head is connected. It is used to help seal threads so water can not leak around them. Pipe dope may have been used to help seal the threads and this may look like caulking, or putty above the shower head connection. Pipe dope is designed not to glue thing together just help seal the threads from leaking.

If your old shower head has flat spots on the shower head collar use a adjustable wrench. Some collars are round so pliers work the best.(If you are going to reuse the shower head wrap a rag around the collar to help protect the finish.) Make sure if using an adjustable wrench you adjust it so you get a good fit. With one hand, hold the shower arm while removing the shower head. (Turn to the left to loosen) This supports the pipe and will let you know if the shower arm is trying to unscrewing out of the wall. Shower heads are usually not installed much over hand tight.

If this happens use a back-up wrench. I wrap a rag around the pipe to help keep it from getting damaged. Any pair of pliers like channel locks usually works or a small pipe wrench. Remove the old shower head. Some times Teflon tape may have been used as a secondary seal. If it was, remove any loose pieces that are sticking up with the tooth brush. You do not need to remove all of it. A little tape left in the threads usually will not cause any problems. If pipe dope was used it may be a little harder to remove the excess from the threads. If the tooth brush does not remove it, try running a razor blade around in the threads then the tooth brush should remove the excess.

The seal in the shower filter system is usually adequate to make a good seal. To be on the safe side, I use Teflon tape, wrap the threads two times (to the right or clock wise). Leave the beginning threads bare, this makes starting the new filter system easier. If using pipe dope, put an even coat on all the threads, if you add too much it will work its way out as you install the shower head and then you can clean off the extra.

Screw the filter assembly on hand-tight, (turning to the right). Hold onto the shower arm and use the wrench or pliers to tighten about ¼ turn or until the filter assembly will not move on the shower arm. If the shower filtration system uses carbon filtration, do not install the shower head until you flush out the filter. The fine carbon particle may plug the shower filter.

Now you can flush out the filter if the instructions call for it. And you can look for any water leaks. If there is a leak try to tighten that part a little at a time until it stops. (If a leak persist take that part back off and check the condition of the seal. Replace if damaged or put back in place if slipped out of place, reseal the threads.)

You may notice a slight delay in the water changing temp as you adjust in the hot. This is normal as the water goes through the filter. Keep this in mind as you are showering so you do not over adjust the hot.

Now you can install the shower head to the filter. You can seal the threads as described above. Make sure the shower head starts straight on the plastic threads. Sometimes plastic threads are easy to cross thread. Hand tighten and give it a ¼ turn. Check for any leaks and your new shower filter system is ready for use.

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Shower filters are the cleansing systems that make bathing water pure and clean. Water is made clean enough for bathing by these, through the removal of dust and impurities from the water. From the different kinds of shower filters that are on sale in the market, the most appropriate ones can be selected, depending upon the needs and requirements of the individuals. The shower filter that is most suitable can be picked, so that it meets the exact needs of the buyer. The shower filter systems can be used to ensure the purity of water, as dissolved as well as floating impurities can be removed by these.

Up to 95 percent is the extent to which the chemicals like sulfur and chlorine are cleaned from the water, in order to make it fit for bathing, along with other impurities like dust, by shower filters. Hair and skin become shiny, when water cleansed by shower filters is used for bathing, as hair and skin are protected against drying up.

The content of oxygen in the water is increased by up to ten times, even as the content of dirt is reduced by up to 99%, when shower filters are made use of. Heavy metal traces are cleaned up, in addition to hydrogen sulfide and iron oxide removal and inhibition of fungus and mold. The quality of the shower is improved and the pressure of water is increased, on this account.

Besides the fluoride, the water is cleansed of traces of chlorine by the filter that the shower filter systems are equipped with. Lung or eye diseases are prevented and water is made suitable for bathing, because of the removal of chlorine. Many diseases like eye afflictions, rashes of the skin, cancer, among others, may be caused because of chlorine as among the substances that dissolve in water it is often described as being one of the most harmful.

Even when it is not ingested, the chlorine gas that is produced when water in which it is mixed is heated can prove to be dangerous. The skin is affected because of the gas made when a mixture of water and chlorine gas is warmed. The lung tissues can be affected directly when, at the time of taking a shower, the gas is inhaled.

Taking a shower, the chemicals that can be a trigger for health issues because of the chlorine may not be fully aware of. Most of the time the effects can be brought down by up to 90% by using a good shower filter. In particular, if one has a sensitive body, the condition can be improved, since protection is provided against chlorine by the shower filter. In these ways,removal of water carrying diseases and contaminants is provided by the shower filters.

Portable and handy are appropriate words for describing the shower filters that are presently available. These can be installed easily and can also be carried easily. Easily connected and installed to the shower, providing clean water instantly. The usage frequency and the quality of water determine the performance of the cartridges used in shower filters, although these can generally be used for nine to twelve months, without any problems.

Shower filters have three stages to remove bacteria and germs. Good looking shower filters are being made and distributed by many manufacturers specializing in up to the minute designer products,. The structure and ambiance of the bathroom is enhanced to a considerable extent, when such shower filters are installed there. Easily replaces as well as cleaned makes these very popular.

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According to the ads, Wellness shower filters create an atmosphere where you slowly get well. Wellness is a brand of chemical and chlorine removing shower filters. They do a good job, but the price is a little high, to say the least.

Like other chlorine removing shower filters, Wellness shower filters let you use hot water with no ill effects. If you used the same amount of hot water without a shower filter, it would open up your pores and allow you to absorb 600% more chlorine than if you drank the same amount.

Chlorine causes a number of diseases, most of which can be serious. The wellness shower filters gets rid of the chlorine and reduces the risks to your health. Chlorine removing shower filters, built by wellness, block about 99% of the chlorine present in shower water. After only a few days, you will notice that your skin and hair are softer.

Cosmetic benefits to the skin and hair were the first reasons for chlorine removing shower filters. But, the bigger problem is that your skin absorbs everything it is exposed to. So, bathing in water contaminated with chemicals and chlorine is bad for your overall health, both for now and in the future.

The diseases linked to chlorine are many and they include one of the big killers; cancer. According to researchers at the medical college of Wisconsin, showering, drinking and living with chlorinated water has increased our risk of cancer by 93%. Wellness shower filters and other chlorine removing shower filters can help improve our odds.

The wellness shower filters remove more than chlorine from the water in the shower. Things like pesticides, VOCs, THMs, lead and copper are also blocked. The only problem is that chlorine removing shower filters by Wellness cost a whole lot more than other brands that do the same job. There is no doubt that you need chlorine removing shower filters, you just might want to do some comparative shopping before you buy the Wellness brand.

Why do you need chlorine removing shower filters? The EPA says that when it comes to chlorine, 4 parts per million is an acceptable level, but when pool water is tested, anything over 3 parts per million is considered unsafe for swimming. If it’s not safe to swim in, how could it be safe to shower in? Wellness shower filters and other chlorine removing shower filters can make your water safe again.

Now, not all chlorine removing shower filters are the same. Only two other companies can do the same job as Wellness shower filters and both cost less. The initial prices for the systems are lower and the cost of use is lower. Here’s what we mean.

Wellness shower filters cost $249 retail and the cost of use is $16 per month. As mentioned above, two other companies do the same job as Wellness shower filters. For the first, the retail price is $95 and the cost of use is $9.25 per month.

The other is our personal favorite. It is one of the best chemical and chlorine removing shower filters on the market and at a price of $67.99 and only $7 per month, anyone can afford it.

Some chlorine removing shower filters cost a lot more and are much less effective. Two popular brands only block 50% of the chlorine and nothing else. When you are shopping, remember that price is no indication of quality. You have to look at product performance data. If you do, you will see that Wellness shower filters do a good job, but they are not the best buy.

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The thought of taking a shower in heavily chlorinated pool water is not an appealing one at all. However, most people have no idea just how much chlorine they’re being exposed to by not using a shower filter. The regular tap water coming out of your shower head contains just as much chlorine, if not more, than the amount allowed to be in standard public swimming pools. By using a quality shower head filter you can reduce or even eliminate chlorine completely from your daily shower.

Chlorine can make for an uncomfortable shower experience because it usually strips away natural oils, which can easily disrupt the natural metabolism of the skin. This can lead to excessive dryness and unnecessary cellular damage, greatly accelerating the signs of aging. By installing a reasonably priced shower filter in your home, the benefits of softer skin and more manageable hair become a reality almost immediately.

Standard shower filters have only been shown to reduce free chlorine, and in some rare cases, chloramine (a devastating combination of chlorine and ammonia). Although there are many claims to the contrary being made by several shower filter sellers all over the Web, a simple fact remains. The combination of a relatively small amount of media within a short bodied shower filter simply cannot remove other contaminants from fast flowing hot water using standard methods. Basically, the water is too hot and moving too quickly for the small amount of “stuff” inside to do it’s job with any meaningful results.

Using a shower head filter will ensure your skin and hair feel and look much healthier, but also provides tremendous protection for the rest of your body by not forcing you to inhale toxic chlorine fumes. Because of this, it is highly recommended that you get a shower filter if you have asthma or any other sort of respiratory condition. It can be extremely beneficial to those that have serious asthma and/or allergy symptoms. Chlorine and chloramine are notorious for causing irritation to the sensitive mucus membranes of the eyes, nose and throat.

Another advantage to having a shower water filter is that it can help enhance the pH of water and bring it much closer to the “neutral” range of 7.0. There are several different shower water filtration systems out there that use their own technology or techniques to filter the water. Some even claim to have some type of complex, multiple stage filtration system that promises to remove of all kinds of synthetic and volatile organic chemicals. However, most of these types of claims are based entirely on clever marketing instead of real data. When in doubt, always ask to see data substantiating any claims that sound too good to be true.

The best thing about shower filters is how relatively inexpensive they are and how easy they are to install and maintain. An average shower filter will run anywhere from $40-$90 and should perform with average results. Even if you are willing to spend a little more money, higher priced shower filters do not necessarily provide greater protection. Look for shower filters that utilize Vitamin C (Ascorbate), KDF (Kinetic Degradation Fluxion) or Chlorgon (Calcium Sulfite); with the Vitamin C and Chlorgon type shower filters also providing excellent protection from chloramine. Shower filters that contain any type of carbon generally do not perform as well and have been known to produce large amounts of bacteria within a short period of time. The bacteria feed on carbon within the moist, warm confines of a shower filter and quickly multiply. This can lead to bacteria being released into the stream of shower water and onto your body.

The most important aspect of purchasing and using a chlorine shower filter is whether or not it will perform to your level of expectation. If in doubt whether that very attractive shower filter hanging in your shower stall is actually working, go out and purchase some total residual chlorine test strips and test for yourself. A bottle of 25 test strips will generally run less than $10 and can be found on eBay for even less. Just make sure you purchase and use test strips that check for both free and combined chlorine, otherwise known as chloramine. With the rapid implementation of chloramine across the globe, free chlorine disinfection of our public water supplies is sure to quickly become nothing more than a distant, unpleasant memory.

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Wellness shower filters are among the leading brands of chlorine removing shower filters. They are also one of the most expensive. There is no question that they have created a good product, but other companies can do the same job for less. Why pay more?

Often we think that a more expensive product must be better in some way, but when it comes to chlorine removing shower filters, that is not the case. We compared the technology behind Wellness shower filters to that used by another less expensive brands. Here’s what we found.

The Wellness shower filters company claims that their filters last two or three times longer than other brands, up to 24 months. But, independent comparisons indicated that the cartridge must be replaced every year at a cost of $189.00.

It’s true that other chlorine removing shower filters must be replaced every three to six months, but the annual cost is less, starting as low as $84.00 per year. That’s a hundred dollar difference.

One of the reasons for the extra expense, according to the Wellness shower filters company website, is the use of rare igneous stones to “enhance” the mineral content of the water and stabilize the pH balance. There is a less expensive option.

One of the more reasonably priced chlorine removing shower filters uses granular copper and zinc to reduce chlorine and “enhance” the pH balance. They also use carbon, derived from coconut shell, to reduce additional chemicals.

Copper and zinc are not rare stones, but they work just as well and coconut shells are a renewable resource. If Wellness shower filters continue to use the “rare” stones, they may be out of business, since the stones cannot last forever, particularly if they are really “rare”.

Reliability is one of the things that you have to be concerned about when you are shopping for chlorine removing shower filters or water filters for other areas of the home. All of these systems need replacement cartridges on a regular basis in order to continue to be effective. The cartridges are not interchangeable, so if a company goes out of business, you are left with a non-functioning product. In this case, you would just have a regular shower head.

The design of Wellness shower filters is a problem for some people. The system reduces the flow rate or water pressure. If you enjoy a pulsating shower, you may want to choose one of the other chlorine removing shower filters on the market.

There is no doubt that chemical and chlorine removing shower filters are practically a necessity for good health and beauty. In a matter of days, you will notice that your skin is softer and looks younger. After the first shower, you will notice that your hair looks and feels better. After a few weeks of not inhaling dangerous chlorine and chemical vapors, you will probably start to feel better all over.

Any filter is better than no filter at all, but you really don’t have to pay the higher price in order to get the best shower filters. Wellness shower filters are good, but probably not worth the added expense.

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Believe it or not shower filters are more important for your health than those used for purifying drinking water. In addition to the negative effects on your hair and skin, unfiltered shower water adds high levels of toxic chloroform gas to the air. Breathing it in can lead to very serious health conditions down the road.

If you are concerned with improving your family’s health, then shower head filters should be a key concern. Unfortunately, for most of us purifying our water is a necessary step in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and that step can not be completed unless you address your showers as well as your sinks.

Most people are aware of the detrimental effects of swimming in a chlorinated pool, but the fact is that tap water contains just as much if not more chlorine than a standard swimming pool. That means that by taking a 10 minute shower each day without the use of shower filters, we are exposing ourselves to harmful chlorine and other chemicals which can rob hair and skin of necessary oils leading to increased signs of aging. But the cosmetic issues are the least of the problem. The steam created by showers which are not equipped with shower head filters can cause severe respiratory problems and in some cases, even cancer. As the chlorine in water is converted into steam, it takes the form of chloroform, a deadly gas which can irritate the lungs, leading to conditions such as asthma or bronchitis. In the average home, without the use of shower filters, the steam inhaled during a shower can contain more than 10 times the concentration of chemicals found in tap water.

The chloroform gas produced through normal showering can also act to increase fatigue, meaning that without the use of shower filters, those nice, relaxing showers might actually be contributing to our lack of energy. We are all exposed to some levels of chlorine every day, but studies have shown that 2/3 of that exposure comes by way of absorption and inhalation during showering rather than directly through drinking.

All of which only emphasizes the benefits of purchasing and installing good quality shower head filters for your home. Not only will your family feel and look better, but you’ll feel better too knowing that you’ve done your best to protect them. Fortunately, that process has been made easier with a wide range of shower filters available to cover all household needs.

When shopping for shower head filters, be sure to look for a product which not only filters out harmful chlorine, but rids your water of VOCs (volatile organic chemicals) as well. The more thorough a job your filter system does, the better off you’ll be in the end. Also be sure that the system you choose balances the pH levels as it removes harmful chemicals, this will ensure that you are continuing to get built in health benefits from your water as well.

Shower filters from top manufacturers can now be found online, making it very easy to purchase both the unit and the replacement filters. Always remember to look over any product you are considering very carefully to make sure you are getting the one which best fits your needs. Read the manufacturers information, not just the dealers, to be sure what each specific system offers and look for state or government certification, usually a good indication of a quality system. It always pays to be an educated consumer.

Your family’s health is far too important to trust it to just any old water. Make sure that you aren’t showering away health benefits by failing to use a proper filtration system. Getting clean and staying clean is one easy step away.

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Crystal Quest shower filters are one of the most popular brands, while being one of the most inexpensive. Needless to say, you can find chlorine removing shower filters that cost a whole lot less but unfortunately they don’t the same job. We did some research and some comp-shopping for you. Here’s what we learned.

First, you should know that scientific research has confirmed that chlorine removing shower filters are better for your health. You may already know that showering in filtered water is better for you skin and hair, but according to Rutgers University, “we take in about the same amount of harmful chemicals from showering as we do from drinking water.”

Some experts say that we take in more, because not only are the chemicals absorbed through our skin, but they are vaporized in the shower, so we inhale them, too. Chlorine vapors, for example, trigger asthma attacks. The swimming pool industry has known it for years.

Researchers believe that showering in chlorinated water is a factor in several types of cancer, including rectal and breast cancer. There are over 2000 chemicals in tap water that are classified as possible, probable or known carcinogens (cancer causing agents). That fact was brought to our attention by Ralph Nader and Consumer’s Digest.

Crytal Quest shower filters are effective, unlike some models which simply do not have enough filter media to perform well or as claimed. You probably know that you cannot always believe the sales pitches. Many manufacturers make exaggerated claims about their chlorine removing shower filters.

You should make sure that you are dealing with a reputable company and that they have documentation to support their claims. Chlorine removing shower filters are relatively new and the industry is largely unregulated. If you’re not sure, don’t buy it.

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