Denver: Why You Need a Shower Water Filter, And How To Choose One
Short answer: if you shower in city water, a filtered shower head is worth it. Most municipal water is treated with chlorine, and hot shower water opens your pores and airways enough to absorb more of it than a glass of tap water ever would. A shower filter cuts that exposure — along with the mineral buildup that dries out hair and skin — for the cost of a showerhead swap.
Since drinking water concerns in cities like Flint, Michigan and other areas of the country have become more and more common, many of us are aware of the importance of clean, safe drinking water. It’s also increasingly apparent that this may not be a guarantee in Denver’s water infrastructure. It’s why growing numbers of people are turning to water filtration systems to ensure their drinking water is safe — but did you know your tap water isn’t the only place you should be thinking about water safety and quality?
The bathroom is another important consideration when planning for your personal water safety. Showers, in particular, can cause problems if water is contaminated or heavily treated with chemicals. Cities commonly use chlorine to treat the water supply for bacteria and other contaminants, but this excess chlorine can be absorbed into the skin — sometimes in large quantities — when we’re showering, since most of us prefer warm water. The warmer the water, the more it opens pores, which effectively ushers chlorine (and any other water-borne contaminants that may be present) right into the largest organ in our bodies — our skin.
Hot water can also cause any toxins, bacteria, or fungus in water to become airborne, turning a water-borne concern into a respiratory issue for some, especially those with already-compromised respiratory conditions like asthma.
Do You Need a Filtered Shower Head?
If any of the following are true, the answer is yes: you’re on municipal water treated with chlorine or chloramine, you notice dry skin, brittle hair, or a chemical smell after showering, or you rent and can’t control what happens upstream of your water heater. In addition to reducing chemical exposure, shower head filters can improve your hair’s shine and feel and support healthier, softer skin by minimizing contact with chemicals and toxins. If you choose a filter that softens water too, you’ll also need less soap, shampoo, and conditioner to work up a lather — saving money with every shower.
Shower head filters are useful even — and especially — if you live in a dorm, rental home, or apartment, or somewhere that already features water filtration. Not all water filters are created equal, so unless you’ve confirmed exactly what kind of filtration your water is passing through, it may not make much difference to your health, hair, or skin. Softeners and whole-house filtration systems need to be serviced regularly to stay effective, so if your landlord or property manager isn’t on top of maintenance, a shower head filter is a solid way to make sure your shower stays safe — and easier on your hair, skin, and fixtures. An extra bonus: shower head filters make it less likely that water will leave hard-to-remove hard water spots and residue behind.
How to Choose the Right Shower Head Filter
Shower head filters are an affordable, effective way to make sure you’re showering in cleaner water. A good place to start is learning what’s actually in your water. You can:
- Call your local water utility to ask
- Have Culligan Man provide you with a free water test
- Pick up a water test kit at your local hardware store
Or start online by checking the Environmental Working Group’s water tap database.
Once you know what contaminants or chemicals you’re dealing with, you can narrow down shower head filters by what they’re designed to do. Some target dissolved minerals and metals to soften water; others use carbon filtration to reduce chlorine and other additives. From there, it’s often a matter of personal preference about water pressure and spray settings.
Are Filtered Shower Heads Worth It?
For most people on treated city water, yes — the upfront cost is low, installation takes minutes, and the reduction in chlorine exposure and hard-water buildup is noticeable within a few weeks. They’re not a substitute for whole-house filtration if your water quality issues are more serious (heavy metals, high hardness throughout the home), but as a standalone fix for shower water specifically, they’re one of the most cost-effective upgrades available.
Check out some of our most popular shower head filters, or contact your local Culligan Denver to learn more.
Works Consulted:
https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-shower-water-filters.html
https://www.allure.com/gallery/showerhead-filters-for-hard-water
https://www.watersoftenercritic.com/water-softener-shower-head/
https://wellnessmama.com/119128/shower-filter/
