We all know that tap water is not completely safe. Cities try to make it safe by adding chemicals that remove harmful materials and microbes. Unfortunately, these chemicals themselves can cause issues.
Sure, an issue caused by chlorine wouldn’t be as bad as the virus it just killed, but the issues are still there,and many suffer from them.
One solution to this problem that’s been gaining traction lately is shower filters. These are, as the name suggests, filters that remove chlorine and other harmful substances from your shower water.
But, before you go out and buy one for yourself, these are the things that you need to understand.
Benefits of a shower filter
Removing chlorine from your shower water is, honestly, the best thing about these filters. Chlorine is terrible for our skin and hair.
Additionally, it can take the form of a gas and enter your bloodstream during hot showers. This can lead to various problems such as skin irritation, eye irritation, and even breathing problems.
Another advantage of shower filters is that it filters metals and other such materials. Minerals in tap water can be as harmful as they can be good for you.
However, combining soap with them leads to wild chemical reactions. The resulting soap curd can stick to your skin and cause dullness.
KDF Water filters
Kinetic degradation fluxion is a process of chemical filtration. The OG shower filters used to solely rely on KDF for their filtration. However, recent developments show that KDF works better when combined with some other substances.
Modern hybrid KDF shower filters consist of different types. These include; KDF 55, KDF 85, KDF-F, and KDF-C.
Let’s take a look at these types individually.
KDF 55
This is certified by the NSF to NSF/ANSI standard 42. KDF 55 removes chlorine, odor, and taste along with other chemicals present in water.
This is used in different filters. However, it is used commonly due to its cost-effectiveness.
KDF 85
This type is made specifically to manage the iron and hydrogen sulfide levels. As KDF is an affordable technology, people use KDF 85 for well water filtration. KDF 85 is extremely effective at making that well water usable without much overhead cost.
KDF-F and KDF- C
These are extended types of KDF 55 and KDF 85. These are used for specialized purposes in certain situations.
For instance, KDF-F works better at removing bacteria when used with carbon blocks.
Shower filters for hard water
Hard water is a major issue for countless people around the globe. Softening water at large scales is extremely expensive, so many cities just use hard water as is. Showering with this kind of water is not good for your skin or your hair.
Hard water on its own is terrible for cleaning, and it even ruins the effectiveness of soap and shampoo. Luckily, a combination of a house-sized water softener and appropriate shower filters can completely eliminate this issue.
Just make sure that you buy the filters that work for the specific kind of hard water you get at your home.