If you’re like most people, you probably think of water filters as something you need if your water is especially hard or if you have problems with scale buildup.
Water softeners are a popular way to soften water, but they can be expensive and require regular maintenance. If you’re looking for an affordable alternative, a shower head filter may be the right solution for you.
Showerhead filters can help soften water without all of the extra expenses or upkeep of a traditional water softener.
So if you’re interested in softening your water without breaking the bank, a shower head filter may be the perfect option for you.
Showerhead filters are designed with various filtration elements to filter out different things, like chlorine and minerals.
While shower head filters may not be able to remove specific contaminants like fluoride or arsenic, they can help make your water softer. Softer water is easier to use when you’re trying to bathe, which makes shower head filters an all-around great choice for softening your water.
Shower head filters can also be used in conjunction with traditional water softeners. They can help increase the lifespan of your current system by removing some contaminants that could cause potential problems inyour system.
Showerhead filters are designed to be easily installed, so you won’t have to worry about hiring a professional contractor or doing any major plumbing work
Showerhead filters are also relatively inexpensive, so you can get soft water without putting too big of a dent in your wallet.
Another advantage of shower head filters is that they can easily attach to most standard shower heads. So if you’re looking to soften your water and attach a filter at the same time, this is a good choice for you.
Shower head filters will also only need occasional replacement of both the cartridges and seal-tight plugs to keep them operating effectively.
How to make shower water softer
Showering is a necessary part of our day-to-day lives, but the water we use to shower with can be harsh on our skin. If you’re looking for a way to make your shower water softer, the tips below may be able to help.
1) Add an in-line filter
In-line filters are designed to help remove the buildup of minerals and other contaminants, making your shower water softer without using chemicals or salt-based systems that can be harsh on your skin.
In-line filters are easily attached to the showerhead itself, so you won’t have to worry about special installation or drilling into your wall.
If you have a shower head filter already, try using it for a month to see if your water softens. If not, consider getting a filter that is higher quality or has more filtration elements.
2) Different Spray Patterns
Sometimes the small things make a big difference. For example, if your shower head filter has different spray patterns, you may want to try using one of the other patterns to see if it makes a difference.
Sometimes switching up your shower head or adding different settings can help make your water feel and appear softer without you having to do any major changes.
3) Use Less Product
Another simple way to soften your water is by using less shampoo, soap, body wash, etc. The more product you use, the harsher your water may feel on your skin and hair.
By using less of these products or switching to more natural products, you can ensure that your shower isn’t as harsh on your skin.
4) Get A New Shower Head
Sometimes the easiest solution is also the most affordable one. If you’ve tried all of our tips and none of them have worked for you, it may be time to get a new shower head.
When it comes to softening your water, the shower head is one of the most important elements. If you have an older shower head, it may not be able to effectively soften your water as a newer model can.
If you don’t mind spending a few bucks and want the best possible results when softening your water, think about investing in a new shower head that is certified for low flow or has other filtration elements designed specifically for softening your water.
Do filters soften water?
It’s no secret that hard water can be a nuisance. Not only does it leave behind unsightly streaks on dishes and bathroom fixtures, but it can also cause scale buildup over time.
Water filters are a popular way to improve the quality of water in your home. But do they actually soften the water? Let’s take a closer look at how water filters work and whether or not they can help soften your water.
Typically, water filters are made up of three parts:
- a filter cartridge,
- housing unit that makes the connection between the water tube and faucet, and
- an aerator to diffuse the flow of water.
The purpose of these filtration systems is to reduce or eliminate any impurities in your water including lead, chlorine, bacteria growth, and other chemicals.
In most cases, a water filter will soften your water due to the fact that hard water gets its name from high levels of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. Filtering out these minerals may result in softer water by default.
Additionally, some filters use carbon filtration to help reduce the amount of chlorine found in the water and to improve the overall taste and odor of water. Like with hard water, chlorine can also be a culprit when it comes to causing dry skin and frizzy hair.
Some people confuse the term “water softening” for filtration or purification systems that actually soften water. The difference between “softening” and “filtering” is that the former describes an actual process whereas the latter describes a system for removing contaminants in your water to make it cleaner and safer to drink.
Filters do not directly make the water softer in the sense of changing its chemical compounds as salt-based systems can. They remove chemicals and impurities from your home’s tap water which makes it healthier, but it will not make the water itself feel or appear softer.
How can I make my shower water softer?
Although many people use salt-based systems to soften their water, there are a few alternative methods you can try before opting for a new system. Here are our top three recommendations:
1) Get a Water Softener System
As we mentioned earlier, salt-based softening systems actually remove minerals from your water that cause hard water. The end result is softened water that is less harsh on your skin and hair
These systems come in two different categories, point of entry (POE) and point of use (POU). POE models connect directly to your home’s plumbing system while POU models require some plumbing modifications.
POE models are the most common types of water softeners due to their affordability and ease of installation. However, it is important to note that POE systems only soften the water entering your home (i.e., tap water).
They don’t benefit from showering in any way since the softened water will mix with whatever hardness levels are already in your plumbing system.
POU systems usually require professional installation since they involve replacing or modifying certain components in your plumbing system like valves and faucets.
Similar to POE systems, POU units alter the quality of hard water by removing minerals before it enters your home’s plumbing system where it mixes with other hard waters from other fixtures.
2) Install a Whole-House Water Softener System
As we mentioned earlier, using a whole-house water softener is another option for people who want to make their shower water softer.
Whole-house systems are similar to POE systems in that they both alter the quality of hard waters entering your home’s plumbing system before it mixes with other waters from your sinks and showers.
These systems usually come with larger tanks and more mineral removing components that can handle the increased flow of water compared to POE units. They also have adjustable features so you can control how much salt or additive is used in the process depending on your family’s needs.
3) Try a Shower Head Filter
A shower head filter may be all you need to make your shower feel smoother. Just like with other systems, filters can be installed to remove certain minerals from your water that cause hard water.
There are two types of shower head filters:
- sediment filters and
- carbon filters.
The former is used to remove dirt and debris found in the water while the latter removes chemicals like chlorine to improve the overall smell and taste of your home’s tap water.
Carbon filters, especially those that use activated carbon cores, can actually help reduce mineral levels in your home’s tap water which may result in softer shower water compared to untreated waters.
Final Thoughts
It is important to know the difference between terms like “softening” and “filtering.” Both of them alter the quality of your water by removing certain components but softening systems alter hardness levels while filtering systems remove contaminants that can affect how safe or healthy your home’s tap water is.
Both types of water treatment options require proper installation which you should leave to professionals. That way, you can be sure that everything will work as intended without causing any damage to your plumbing system.
Since shower filters are only designed for shower usage, they do not benefit other parts of your home’s plumbing system.
On the other hand, whole-house softeners are versatile enough to improve household hard waters including those used in showers, toilets, sinks, and other appliances around your home.
