We take a bath to keep ourselves clean and of course, healthy, but how about if the water that comes out of our shower head is not safe to use? Harmful substances like chlorine, lead, pesticides, bacteria, and heavy metals may be present in our water supply which may affect our drinking water and water for showering. Many houses use filters to have safe drinking water, but don’t you know that contaminated water may also lead to negative effects on your health, skin, hair, and overall hygiene if used for showering? Yes, clean water is crucial not only for drinking but also for bathing, and to ensure that your shower water is contaminant-free, you should also filter it. Are you going to use shower filters or whole house filtration systems? While both have the same objective of improving the quality of water you use, they serve different purposes and offer distinct benefits.
Shower Filter
Installed directly onto your showerhead, a shower filter is a compact device that cleans the water you use in bathing. The filtered water is expected to have removed specific impurities that may cause serious problems to your skin, hair, and overall bathing experience. Get one from Fettle Effect shower filters and see how it works.
Benefits of Shower Filter
Chlorine, heavy metals, and other irritants can dry out your skin and hair, but shower filters can help reduce the negative effects of these materials. You can use this shower filter by installing it on your own without the help of professionals because it’s so easy and simple to install. It is ideal for targeted water filtration so it ultimately becomes cost-effective. Moreover, for people who move frequently, it is highly recommended because it can be easily installed and removed.
Limitations of Shower Filter
Since this is a shower filter, its function is limited only to this particular fixture in the house, so other parts of the house that use water are left untreated. Usually, its limited filtration capacity is designed for specific contaminants only like chlorine or sediments.
Whole House Filtration System
Contrary to a shower filter, a whole house filtration system is installed at the main water line. All water that enters your home through the main line is filtered – every tap, shower, and appliance receives the cleaned water.
Benefits of Whole House Filtration System
Here, not only the bathing water is filtered but also the drinking water. This type of comprehensive filtration system addresses a wide range of contaminants – sediment, chlorine, heavy metals, and even bacteria. It also prolongs the life of appliances that use water like dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters. How? Well, hard water can actually cause mineral buildup in the appliance, by using this filtration, it reduces scaling and buildup eventually extending the appliance’s lifespan. Furthermore, with this filtration system, there are customizable options available. You can tailor it to address your specific water quality concerns such as hard water or chemical contamination.
Limitations of Whole House Filtration System
This type of filtration system is more expensive to purchase than shower filters. Additional payment is necessary for its installation which requires professional expertise. To ensure optimal performance, periodic maintenance is necessary especially for filter replacements or system servicing.
Key Considerations When Choosing Between the Two
Your Water Quality Needs. If your primary concern is limited to improving your skin and hair conditions or reducing chlorine in your shower only, then a shower filter will suffice. However, if you’re worried about widespread water quality issues like hard water, sediment, or contaminants, the better choice is the whole house filtration system.
Budget. If you have a limited budget, purchase a shower filter because it is more affordable upfront and it is easier to maintain. But if you are after the long-term, comprehensive benefits, then whole house filtration is worth the cost.
Homeownership Status. If you are a renter, opt for the shower filter since it is portable and non-invasive. Meanwhile, if you are a homeowner looking for a permanent solution to your water problem, you should consider a whole house filtration system.
Health Concerns. If you or members of your family have sensitive skin, allergies, or respiratory issues, both types of filtering can help, but of course, a whole house filtration system offers more extensive protection.
Why You Need to Filter Your Water from Shower?
The water you are using for bathing may cause dryness, allergic reactions, and irritation to your skin, worse if eczema or dermatitis occurs. These may be due to the contaminants present in the water you are using. If this happens, you have to filter the water you are utilizing.
What water components may cause hair to weaken, making it brittle, dry, and prone to breakage? It’s the chlorine and hard water minerals like calcium and magnesium. Chlorine can also speed up color fading and damage the hair shaft. So if you are experiencing them on your hair, the water in your shower may be the culprit.
You also have to be aware that a hot shower can turn chemicals like chlorine into vapor, which you might inhale. This could irritate your lungs or aggravate respiratory issues like asthma. So, why not consider filtering the water?
Harmful microorganisms like E. coli, Legionella, or parasites that may be present in the water you are using can increase the risk of infections especially in open wounds or cuts. Other contaminants may also irritate the eyes causing redness, itchiness, or discomfort. If you suspect that your water is causing these, then water filtering would be the answer to address these issues.
In addition to these harmful effects, contaminated water often smells bad and may leave a residual smell on your body. More serious health problems may be experienced if you have prolonged exposure to heavy metals like lead or mercury present in the water you are using in your shower.
When these situations are bothering you, it is time to have your water tested to identify specific contaminants affecting your water supply. Then consult professionals to work with you and address the issues effectively, either by using a shower filter or whole house filtration system.