Things to know before choosing a shower filter
This post is about things you need to know about your water, to help you decide what whether you need a shower filter and if so, what you might want it to do.
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1) pH
Some shower filters raise pH, some may lower it. This is not a precision adjustment. But you need to know this before choosing a filter, and here's why:
- The water coming out of your tap has its own pH, and that can vary a lot from place to place. That also affects how the filter will perform.
- Different pH water can affect how hair products feel in your hair, and how your hair responds to them.
- Lower pH (in products) can reduce frizz in hair.
- Hard water minerals are more likely to build up on hair the higher your water's pH. (1) If you have hard water, a filter that raises the pH may not be helpful.
- Conditioner might also have greater bonding to hair with a pH that is above neutral (neutral is 7). Not that we want to try to manipulate pH to change this. But if you do have a filter that raises the water's pH and it made your conditioner work better on conditioner-loving hair, that might be part of the story.
First, learn your water’s pH level. If you live in an urban area, check with the water distribution or city water treatment facility. In the US, water quality information is required to be made available to consumers. If they have a website, check the water quality report online. The pH is often (but not always) listed in the report. If it isn’t, you may be able to search for “advanced water quality” data. Or contact them and ask nicely!
If you have a well, you can test the pH yourself. There are instructions below.
How to test pH of filtered shower water? Capture some cool or slightly warm water in a cup. Set it on a level surface, and dip the test strip or meter in the still water. The follow the instructions of the manufacturer.
Compare the filtered shower water's pH to your tap water from the sink. If they're not the same - your shower filter is altering the pH.
2) Chlorine. Does your water smell like bleach? Does it smell like a swimming pool? Only once in a while, or often?
You are smelling the chlorine disinfectant in the water. These can be dehydrating and damaging to hair. You might consider using a shower filter for your hair if:
- You need to prevent hair-breakage.
- You heat-style your hair regularly. (Blow dryer on high/hot, flat iron, curling iron).
- Your hair is highlighted or you dye your hair.
- You have very long hair (the ends have been through a lot!).
- Your hair has a lot of sun damage. Psst - please wear a hat.
How to learn shower pH: 🚿
1) No well, no filter on your shower-head and no whole-house water treatment system? Then the pH that your water treatment facility provides is also your tap water pH.
2) If you do have a well, or you use a shower filter or a whole-house water treatment system, do a pH test using pH strips or a pH meter.
I'm happy with these pH strips. Though they don't go above pH 9 (and my water does!), they're quite sensitive to pH, hardness, and chlorine. Test strips made for aquariums or swimming pools are good option. ➤➤➤
Test pH like a champ: Collect some cool to barely warm water from your shower in a glass or bowl and set it on a level surface. Dip the test strip or pH meter in the water for the recommended amount of time and read the result as the package directions indicate.
Now you're ready for Part 3! Which will be about choosing a filter to meet your needs.
1) Evans AO, Marsh JM, Wickett RR. The uptake of water hardness metals by human hair. J Cosmet Sci. 2011 Jul-Aug;62(4):383-91. PMID: 21982353.
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