If you find yourself suddenly sensitive to a new product you’ve just started using, it might not be your haircare. Or your bodycare. Or your laundry detergent. It might just be the impact of hard water.
It’s easy to switch up what you take into the shower… but can you filter hard water? The answer is: yes! Whether you opt for undersink filtration or a shower water filter, this simple solution comes complete with mineral-based filtration systems that remove unwanted metals, chlorine and impurities that can cause irritation, dry out skin and make hair feel limp and lackluster.
Perhaps you’re prone to sensitivities. Maybe you’re looking for H2O that’s kinder to young children and babies who may require a more gentle approach than a hard water supply. Whatever your challenge, Brio filters may be just the solution you need.
Here, we explore the best filters for hard water that will be kinder to your hair as you rinse out suds, more gentle on conditions like psoriasis, improve the quality of your laundry, look after your appliances and make your water taste better.
What is hard water?
Hard water is a common issue that many households face. In fact, around 85% of US homes have hard water. It contains high levels of minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium ions. These minerals can be naturally occurring and are typically picked up as water passes through porous rocks like limestone and soil.
What issues can hard water cause?
Unfortunately, hard water and the minerals it contains can cause all sort of problems at home, such as:
Scale build-up in appliances
When hard water is used in an appliance, minerals can accumulate on the heating elements and inner components.
In washing machines, for example, this mineral buildup can lead to decreased heating efficiency. As a result, the appliance may consume more energy and take longer to heat the water, increasing energy costs.
The presence of minerals in hard water can interfere with the effectiveness of detergents and soaps. This means that when you wash your clothes with hard water, detergents are less able to create a good lather and remove dirt and stains effectively.
As a result, your clothes may not come out as clean as they would with soft water. Hard water can lead to the formation of soap scum on your clothes. This soap scum can make fabrics feel stiff and rough, even after washing. It can also cause discoloration of fabrics over time.
Hair and skin
Hard water can negatively impact hair and skin, including pre-existing conditions such as eczema, dandruff and dermatitis.
You may need much more shampoo and bodywash to obtain a spreadable foam, and heaps of conditioner to make hair manageable.
Hard-watered hair and skin can be dryer, coarser and duller. It’s particularly brutal on textured hair.
Clogged plumbing and fixtures
The mineral content in hard water can lead to the accumulation of scale deposits on the internal components of plumbing and appliances, such as pipes and hoses. These deposits can restrict water flow, reducing efficiency and causing blockages.
The scale deposits can shorten the lifespan of your appliances. They can cause mechanical issues, increase wear and tear on moving parts and necessitate more frequent maintenance and repairs.
Can you filter hard water?
Yes, you can filter hard water. There are various methods available to reduce the mineral content in hard water, making it more suitable for household use.
Here’s how to filter hard water in your home.
1. Fridge filters
If your refrigerator has a water dispenser and ice maker, consider using a Brio refrigerator water filter. These filters can help improve the taste and quality of water for drinking and ice production.
2. Shower water filters
The best hard water filter for shower uses multiple layers of filtration for softer water that’s kind to skin. Brio 17-stage high output shower head filter for hard water reduces that nasty scale build-up, too.
3. Undersink system
Enjoy an endless supply of pure water on demand from a compact and convenient filtration system. It removes hard water minerals as well as impurities, but preserves essential, healthy minerals. Browse our undersink filtration options.
4. Washing machine filters
Some washing machine filters are designed to trap minerals and other impurities in the water, preventing them from depositing on your clothes and affecting laundry quality.
Which is better: water softener or water filter?
The choice between a water softener and a water filter depends on your specific needs and the quality of the water in your area.
Water softeners: reduce scale build-up but not impurities
- Water softeners are designed to remove the calcium and magnesium ions responsible for water hardness.
- They use a process called ion exchange, where the hard water passes through a tank of resin beads that trap the minerals.
- Water softeners are highly effective at preventing scale build-up in plumbing and appliances, but they don’t remove other impurities.
Water filters: soften water AND remove impurities
- Water filters come in various types, each designed to target specific contaminants, including those responsible for hard water.
- Some water filters like activated carbon filters, although they don’t remove calcium and magnesium, can reduce chlorine, some heavy metals and some odors/ tastes.
- Other filters, like reverse osmosis systems, are highly effective at removing a wide range of impurities, including minerals and their tastes and odors, making them a more comprehensive solution.
Why reverse osmosis is best for dealing with hard water
When it comes to addressing hard water comprehensively, especially for drinking, cooking, washing clothes, showering and maintaining appliances and household pipe systems, reverse osmosis (RO) is seriously effective. Here’s why undersink RO systems are the best solution.
1. Mineral removal
RO systems use a semipermeable membrane to remove not only hard water minerals but also a wide range of impurities, such as bacteria, viruses and heavy metals.
2. Taste and purity
The result is extremely pure and great-tasting water, free from the taste and odor of minerals found in hard water.
3. Cost-effective and eco-friendly
RO systems provide an ongoing supply of high-quality water at a lower cost compared with buying bottled water, which is harmful to the environment.
4. Convenience
Undersink RO systems are also convenient, taking up less space than whole-house systems, while delivering premium water quality for drinking and cooking.
5. Peace of mind
Brio replacement water filters mean you never have to worry about being without a constant supply of pure, soft water, free from hard minerals and impurities. Get up to 20% off filters with a Brio subscription and receive orders automatically delivered on your schedule. There’s no obligation – you can modify or cancel any time.
What’s the best shower filter for hard water?
Hard water can deposit minerals that build up on strands, making hair feel heavy, dull and more difficult to manage. It can also cause color to fade more quickly and strip natural oils from both hair and skin that may lead to dryness and itchiness. Fitting a shower water filter helps hugely.
The Brio 17-stage high output shower filter adds natural minerals and vitamin C to water that nourish hair and skin, leaving them looking soft and supple, and feeling fabulous.
If you have hard water, a shower water filter delivers purified, odorless water that guards against scale build-up. It enables pure mineral-enriched cleansing that hydrates with no pressure loss. Discover further benefits that softer, alkaline water can bring.
A hard water filter really can improve your quality of life. Plus, it’s cost-effective and eco-friendly. Enhancing your water quality will:
Discover more about Brio undersink water filtration and change your life (and home!) for the better today.
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