Water is an indispensable thing in our existence, playing various roles such as in firefighting, medical applications, cooling systems, sanitation purposes, recreation activities, manufacturing industries, and in other activities that use water.  However, the most common uses of water are in cleaning our bodies and our houses, cooking our food, and the most essential use … as water for drinking.  For people to fully benefit from using water, they have to be sure that it is clean.  But mind you, it is not only the drinking water that must be safe from impurities but also the water we use for bathing.  How do we make sure that the water from the shower we are using is really clean?  Do you use a shower filter at home?

What are Shower Filters?

When the water coming out of your shower is contaminated, the best way to counter it is to use a shower filter.  It is a compact device that is directly installed onto your showerhead to remove specific impurities that may harm your skin, hair, and overall bathing experience.  They contain various filtering media, such as activated carbon, KDF (Kinetic Degradation Fluxion), or vitamin C to neutralize and remove the harmful chemicals eventually benefitting your health in several ways.  Shower filters available in the market today are inline filters – installed directly onto the shower pipe before the showerhead, showerhead filters – incorporated into the showerhead itself, and handheld filters – attached to handheld shower wands.

Advantages of Using Shower Filters

The shower filter can improve water quality to prevent skin problems.  There are chemicals and other contaminants like chlorine and heavy metals that can strip natural oils from your skin.  They can make your skin dry, get irritated, get allergic, or even develop eczema or dermatitis.  

For those with dyed or chemically treated hair, they may observe quicker color fading and damage hair shaft.  This is due to the chlorine in water, also hard water minerals like calcium and magnesium can weaken hair, make it brittle and dry, and become prone to breakage.  You can actually manage these contaminants with the use of a shower filter.

Moreover, contaminants can also be inhaled as hot showers can actually turn these chemicals into vapor, which you might inhale and irritate your lungs or exacerbate respiratory problems.  Bacteria and pathogens like E. coli, Legionella, or parasites may also be present in the water you are using.  Bathing in such water may infect open wounds or cuts.  Additionally, impurities in water can also irritate your eyes during a shower, causing redness, itchiness, or discomfort.  But all these can be avoided if you use a shower filter.

Even the unpleasant smell of water like rotten eggs caused by sulfur or a chemical odor can leave a residual smell on your body.  What is worse is that your prolonged exposure to heavy metals like lead or mercury that might be present in water can have long-term effects on health, including neurological and developmental issues.  The Fettle Effect shower filter can help you address these issues early on.

Aside from these benefits, don’t you know that shower filters can actually play a crucial role in promoting environmental sustainability?  

Since the future of our environment lies in our hands now, even the seemingly small choices we make can contribute significantly to the health of our planet.  One such choice is the use of these eco-friendly shower filters.  

Shower Filter’s Role in Promoting Environmental Sustainability

Reducing Chemical Pollution.  Shower filters can reduce great amounts of chemical pollutants that enter the environment, how?  Since they are designed to remove harmful chemicals such as chlorine, chloramines, and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from tap water, they prevent these chemicals from being released into the air during hot showers or washed down the drain that eventually passes through our waterways.  

Protecting Aquatic Life.  Chemicals like chlorine are toxic to fish and other marine life.  That is why, tap water must be filtered to help protect the ecosystem from harmful effects of chemical exposure, maintaining biodiversity and healthy aquatic life.

Conserving Water.  Shower filters are also designed to optimize water flow, thus water consumption is reduced but does not compromise the quality of your shower experience.  As a result, we save on our utility bills and also conserve this precious resource.  As water scarcity is becoming an issue, every drop saved makes a big difference already.  

Reducing Plastic Waste.  Some of these water filters have replaceable cartridges that last several months.  In this way, where the frequency of replacement is minimized, the amount of plastic waste generated is also reduced.  Meanwhile, there are also eco-friendly brands that use recyclable materials for their filters which further decreases the environmental footprint.

Promoting Sustainable Living.  Using shower filters contributes to a more sustainable lifestyle.  Thinking about the water we use and the impact it has on our environment develops our mindfulness.  As more people use shower filters, a culture of sustainability and environmental responsibility is achieved.  This inspires others to make eco-friendly choices in various activities in their everyday lives. 

Final Thoughts

Aside from being affordable and portable options to clean our water, these filters are generally easy to install and maintain.  Many models are designed to fit standard showerheads and require minimal effort to replace filter media every few months.  That is why, using a shower filter is really a manageable option not only to ensure that our shower water is contaminant-free for our health’s sake but also to do our share of protecting our environment from these harmful chemicals.  The water that comes out of your shower is not only water for your bath but also water that may affect the air we breathe and the environment we live in.  Having a shower filter at home can lead to a more enjoyable showering experience while also promoting a healthier lifestyle and contributing to environmental sustainability.  While often overlooked, this small device is actually a powerful tool in our quest for a healthier planet now and the future generations.