Here we go with the fun part!
If you've decided you want a shower filter, or if you have one but you're not sure it's quite right, we'll hit some of the important things to look for.
We've covered what shower filters can and cannot do, and why you might want one in Part 1 and Part 2.
CAN: Remove chlorine. ✅Alter pH (with various consequences). ✅
CANNOT: Soften water ❌
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We have to talk about filter media - the materials inside the filter that do the work. Don't buy a shower filter without knowing what's inside. Even if it has great reviews - everybody's water is different.
- KDF (kinetic degradation fluxion): Made from copper-zinc granules. Sounds extremely cool.
- KDF-55 Reduces chlorine, as well as soluble lead, nickel, mercury and chromium.
- KDF-85 Reduces iron and hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg smell)
- Calcium sulfite: Reduces chlorine
- Carbon fiber / activated carbon: May reduce chlorine odor
- Alkaline balls: Increase pH to make water feel "softer" and more slippery.
- Magnetic balls, energy balls, far infrared balls: Seriously? Why pay for something when you don't know what it is or does? Especially if you're going to be standing naked in water that flowed over it. They're kind of fun, and may not do any harm. They might also not do any good.
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid): Reduces chlorine. May lower pH, depending on filter.
Reduce chlorine, shouldn't alter pH
Sprite Slimline Shower Filter: KDF and Calcium sulfite 🚿
Sprite High Output Shower Filter: KDF and Calcium sulfite 🚿
Brondell Viva Spring Compact Shower Filter: KDF 🚿
Aqua Bliss High Output Universal Shower Filter: KDF, Calcium sulfite, Activated carbon 🚿
Culligan In-Line Shower Filter: KDF 🚿
Culligan Rain Disc Shower head: KDF (cover of shower head is removed by removing 2-3 screws to change the filter, rather than unscrewing the entire unit like most filters). 🚿🚿
Hammer Head High Pressure Shower Filter KDF, Calcium sulfite 🚿🚿
Kitsch Shower Filter: KDF, Calcium sulfite 🚿🚿
Aquasana Shower Filter: KDF and Activated carbon 🚿🚿🚿
Jolie High Pressure Filtered Shower Head: KDF, Calcium sulfite 🚿🚿🚿
Sante Ultimate Dual KDF Shower Filter: KDF (55 and 85), catalytic carbon (may reduce chloramine, another disinfectant, I'm a little skeptical how well, given the flow rate). 🚿🚿🚿
Brondell Viva Spring Vitamin C in-line shower filter: Vitamin C, may lower pH. Needs replacement monthly (or as needed). 💧
Aqua Earth Shower Head Filter: KDF, Activated carbon, Calcium sulfite, Vitamin C...ceramic balls, alkaline balls, magnetic balls, negative ion balls, etc. CHECK THE pH if you use a filter like this - compare to your tap water. 🚿
Cobbe Hand Held Shower Filter: KDF, Calcium sulfite, Alkaline balls, Anion balls. May raise pH. 🚿
Cobbe High Pressure 6-Setting Shower Filter: KDF, Calcium sulfite, Alkaline balls, Anion balls. May raise pH. 🚿
Are there any shower filters that will LOWER pH? I just had our well water tested at a certified lab. The water is near perfect! No heavy metals, no sediment, very little calcium or magnesium, no nitrates, no bacteria. The water is soft to mildly hard at 24ppm. But the pH is 8.4 and it strips the toner right out of my bleached hair and makes it dry and rough until about 2 days post wash. It also makes my skin dry and itchy. I was looking at the AquaBliss SF400 which claims to "balance pH level" with Vitamin C.
ReplyDeleteHi Flowerchild17 - VivaSpring sells Vitamin C shower filters that will lower your water's pH. I've used the unscented one and it brought my pH 9-9.7 water down to about 6.5. They've recently redesigned their products, so you'll want to check their website to see what's up to date. I haven't used the new model yet. It can take your skin a while to get used to the change - even if it's beneficial in the long run. That's more specific than the Aqua Bliss model, which also contains media that can raise pH.
DeleteDid the lab report your "Alkalinity" or "Bicarbonate hardness?" That is also minerals which will act like hard water and can leave hair feeling dry and rough.
Hi WS, thank you for your reply. I do have the alkalinity. It is 480.0 mg/L. That is amazing that your filter reduced your ph so much! I just tested the AquaBliss and unfortunately it didn't lower it one bit. I will be returning it and try out the VivaSpring. I did end up buying some Nexxus Color Assure shampoo and conditioner which has dimethicone, plus pre-pood on dry hair with the Sauce Beauty Guacamole Whip hair mask on dry hair and some camellia oil on top under a plastic cap for 5 minutes before washing with the new Nexxus. My hair is definitely much softer and more hydrated looking but not perfect. That high ph makes my skin rough and bumpy too. I really look forward to trying the VivaSpring and hopefully seeing even more smoothing of my hair and skin. Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteWow. I'm impressed at how high that was. Not surprised though, based on how you described your hair and skin. That is a lot like "extremely hard water" except that we don't call that class of minerals "hard." And you cannot remove them with a water softener. Most hard water shampoos won't help you much either. Doing more to encourage softness is what it's all about - as you discovered. Good luck, I hope the Viva Spring is satisfactory, if you try it out!
DeleteThe water treatment specialist just left. He said the ph is right where it should be. He tested it at a solid 8, not 8.5 that the previous lab test showed. He said it was the hardness affecting my hair and skin and recommended a softener with a sediment filter. Unfortunately, it looks like Brondell no longer makes the Viva Spring vitamin c filter, just some compact filter that makes no mention of vitamin c or ph. The technician that came out today said that everyone they put the softener/treatment system in for has seen great results with their hair and skin. I guess we can try it. $2800, I hope it's worth it! I am not "science-y" at all, so open to suggestions. :)
DeleteThis company makes (unscented) vitamin C shower filters. Looks like they expect them to last 60-90 days. https://aromasenseusa.com/products/wall-mounted-vitamin-c-cartridge-neutral
DeleteThis will only adjust the pH and reduce chlorine. It can affect how products feel - how slippery, how well conditioner works.
With 24 ppm hardness, you have soft water. A water softener (the kind you add salt to) is not going to do much.
What kind of treatment system did they suggest? Reverse osmosis *will* reduce the alkalinity minerals, which should be good for your skin and hair. As long as they don't then put a "remineralizer" on the system to restore the minerals. The key there is - you have to replace the filters and membranes on the right schedule. So factor that into the operating price! I do know people who have installed reverse osmosis and found it helpful with high-alkalinity water. So if that's what they suggested, it might do the trick. (Discuss any re-mineral-izing). Keep me posted. Fingers crossed.