Shower & Bath Filters

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Want to learn about the importance of filtering shower and bath water? Read the short guide at the bottom of this page. If you have any questions, contact our friendly sales team.

Shower Water Filters and Bath Water Filters

Shower filters and bath filters are a great way to reduce the chemical content of your water and improve pH balance.

They are extremely effective at removing chlorine from water and lowering the levels of chloroform gas, which is created when chlorinated water is heated.

Reducing exposure to chlorine will help reduce:

  • Eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis flare-ups
  • Dry irritated and itchy skin
  • Damaged and brittle hair
  • Flaky-itching scalp
  • Redness and burning of the eyes

In short, you’ll look better, feel better and avoid exposure to some very nasty chemicals.

How Do Shower Filters Work?

Most high-quality shower filters use a proprietary blend of copper and zinc called KDF55.

As oxygenated water flows through the KDF media, an electrochemical process called reduction/oxidation (redox) occurs.

This process causes certain contaminants to either gain or lose electrons, which changes them into harmless substances.

Chlorine, for example, will lose electrons to the copper in the KDF and change into chlorides — a harmless electrolyte. This is how KDF removes the bad taste/odour of chlorine from water.

KDF55 can also reduce:

  • Scale build-up
  • Heavy metals and,
  • Chloramines from your shower and bath water.

It can also balance the pH level of your water slightly by removing some dissolved calcium carbonate and replacing it with aragonite.

How Are Shower Water Filters Installed?

Both shower and bath filters are designed to attach to standard 1/2″ threads which are found in virtually all Australian bathrooms.

To install the shower filter, you’ll just need to unscrew your existing shower arm. You’ll see a 1/2″ male thread on the wall. The filter is screwed onto that thread. The shower arm is then screwed onto the other side of the filter. It’s couldn’t be much easier.

The only thing to keep in mind is that you should avoid over-tightening the unit. When you screw up the shower arm, place one hand on the shower cartridge so it doesn’t tighten any more. We send out instructions explaining the process in detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Shower Filters Hard To Install?

No, they are easy to install.

Shower filters like come with standard 1/2″ inlets and outlets commonly found in Australian bathrooms.

For example, to install the Sprite High Output Shower filter, all you need to do is:

  1. Unscrew your existing shower arm to expose the 1/2″ male outlet on the wall
  2. Screw on your filter housing
  3. Screw the shower arm onto the other side of the filter housing

There are rubber seals on the female side of the shower filter which form a seal.

In some rare cases, you might discover that your male wall outlet is quite short and cannot form a good seal with the filter. If that occurs, simply apply some thread tape to the male thread before installing the filter.

Other types of filters, like the Handheld Shower Filter, are even easier to install. You’ll just need to unscrew your handheld filter line, screw on the filter, then screw the line back on.

Are Replacement Shower Filters Expensive?

No, they are quite affordable. 

The replacement cartridge for the Sprite High Output filter is about $50.00.

Given that a each cartridge usually lasts about 12 months, it’s a small price to pay for clean, healthy, shower water.

Do Shower Filters Really Work?

Absolutely.

When shower filters first came out, they were often poorly made products that contained activated carbon. While activated carbon is fantastic at removing chemical contaminants, it needs a lot of contact time to work.

Carbon isn’t effective at the fast flow rates that showers produce and carbon can break down when exposed to very hot water.

Modern shower filters, like the Sprite High Output Shower filter, contain KDF. KDF is a proprietary blend of copper and zinc, which can remove contaminants from hot water at very fast flow rates.

Modern shower filters dramatically reduce the amount of chlorine in your shower water, leading to all of the benefits mentioned above.

Can Shower Filters Remove Fluoride?

No, they cannot.

The types of media which are capable of removing fluoride require a lot of contact time to work. Because water is moving through a shower filter at a very fast flow rate, it won’t be in touch with the media for a sufficient time to work.

Be very sceptical of manufacturers that claim their shower filters remove fluoride — they won’t.

Fortunately, fluoride cannot penetrate through your skin.  So, as long as you don’t drink your shower water, you will be safe from fluoride.

How Long Do Shower Filters Last?

This will depend on 3 factors:

  1. How much water you are using
  2. The quality of the water
  3. The type of filter

In most cases, a high output shower filter will last about 12 months. However, if you have heavy sediment levels in your water, you may find that you need to backflush it several times to get that much lifespan from it. Back flushing will prevent the media from becoming overly compacted.

The smaller filters which go inside of handheld showers typically last about 3 months, as they contain less media.

The cost of replacing your filters as needed will probably work out to be about 20 cents per day. A tiny cost given the advantages to be gained from showering in clean water.

What Types Of Skin Conditions Will Shower Filters Help?

Removing chlorine from the water, can help to reduce severity and frequency of psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea. It will also help with general dryness.

Many people with chronic skin conditions have seen incredible results from installing a shower fiilter.

Do Shower Filters Reduce Hardness?

Yes, if the filter contains KDF.

Many parts of Australia have ‘hard water’ which means there is a high level of dissolved minerals in the water. When you have hard water, it is much harder to form a lather with soap, which makes showering a less pleasant experience.

Shower filters containing KDF can slightly soften water. The KDF will precipitate some of the dissolved calcium minerals from the water, turning it into aragonite. This makes creating a lather easier.

It’s important to note that KDF only offers partial improvement. That might be enough if you are in an area with soft to moderately hard water. However, if you are in a location with very hard water (like some parts of SA or WA) you may need a little more help.

If you live in one of those areas, check out our SofterWater™ ShowerSoft Inline Shower Water Conditioner. It is designed to change the form of dissolved minerals to reduce scale build-up and make the water behave like it is softer.

Benefits Of Bath and Shower Water Filters

Here are just a few of the benefits of installing a bath or shower water filter. If you need more information just give us a ring or contact us via email.

We also have a helpful blog post which explains how shower filters work and showcases a few products.

1. Reduce Your Exposure To Chlorine

Chlorine is added to town water to kill bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and other contaminants. Unfortunately, it gives the water a strong chemical taste and smell, which makes showering less enjoyable. Chlorine also has a severe drying effect on hair and skin.

2. Avoid Eczema and Rosacea Flareups

If you have a skin condition like Eczema or Rosacea, the drying effect of chlorine can worsen it severely.

3. Reduce Chloroform Exposure

Chloroform gas is a potentially dangerous substance which can be generated when chlorinated or chloriminated water is heated. A shower or bath water filter can help to reduce this toxic substance.

4. Less Risk of Bacterial Growth In Shower

Copper is a natural anti-bacterial substance. Having it as a part of your shower or bath water lines can reduce the risk of bacterial growth occurring.

5. Limit Exposure To Other Chemicals

KDF can reduce a wide range of other chemicals associated with chlorine. This can reduce your chemical exposure significantly.

6. Avoid Heavy Metal Exposure

KDF can also reduce lead content in water. Most lead is electroplated onto the copper particles in the KDF

7. Enjoy Cleaner Water

Showering in clean water is a much enjoyable experience. You can avoid any skin irritation from chemicals and feel cleaner once you finish showering.

8. Less Scale Build-Up

KDF causes calcium ions to precipitate out of water, which reduces scale build-up.

9. You Will Look and Feel Better!

After showing in treated water for several weeks, you’ll notice that your skin and hair look healthier, as you are no longer suffering from the drying effect of chlorinated water,

10. Softer Water

Shower and bath water filters will soften the water slightly, which makes it easier to form a lather with your soap, making showering a better experience.

Need Help? Contact Us Today

Use the links above to view the bath and shower water filters we stock. If you need any assistance, please contact us at sales@clarencewaterfilters.com.au or give us a call on 02 6646 8565.