You just took a shower. You should feel clean, but instead, when you step out of the shower, you notice that there’s a strange feeling on your skin. As you dry, your skin is highly irritated and red, and you find yourself itchy all over. There’s a good chance you just took a shower in hard water, and if you want to prevent that feeling from happening again, you need a hard water filter.
Unfortunately, about 85% of homes in the United States experience hard water. How can you soften your water and reduce the damage of hard water in your home? In this article, we’ll talk about what hard water filters are and why they can be a helpful addition to a hard water sufferer’s home.
What is a Hard Water Filter?
Hard water is water with a high amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium. Hard water filters are filtration systems that remove or reduce the amount of scale caused by the calcium and magnesium content in water to prevent issues caused by hard water.
Disadvantages of Hard Water
Why would someone install a hard water filter in their home? That comes down to the many disadvantages of using and consuming hard water, including:
Skin and Hair Damage
When you frequently shower in hard water, it can cause dryness and disrupt your normal skin barrier. Your skin and scalp can end up feeling dry, itchy, and irritated. When it comes to your hair, hard water can leave your hair feeling dirtier than before you shower, as calcium and magnesium can leave a residue on your hair that prevents it from being properly cleaned and conditioned. This mineral build-up on your hair and scalp hurts the texture, appearance, and overall health of your hair.
Digestive Issues
Your body can find it hard to break down the minerals in hard water, leading to digestive problems. Hard water can lead to abdominal cramping, watery stools, and dehydration. But if you’re not already constipated, it can be more harmful than helpful, resulting in abdominal cramping, watery stools, and dehydration.
Kidney Stones
Up to 75% of kidney stones are generally composed of calcium salt, which is why it’s been suggested that calcium-filled hard water can contribute to the formation of kidney stones. Studies have found that drinking soft water is associated with a lower risk of the recurrence of kidney stones. Soft water contains low levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium. A combination of a water softener and Tyent’s Soft Water Buddy can ensure your body gets the minerals it needs without the health risks of hard water.
Other Health Risks
Although more research is needed on the overall health effects of hard water, some studies have found that drinking hard water is tied to lower fertility rates, as well as complications in the nervous system.
Best Hard Water Filters
Hard water can be damaging to your body, skin, hair, and home. If you’re looking for hard water solutions, here’s a look at some of the best hard water filters available.
1. Tyent WIT :: Cell Safe Anti-Scale Hard Water Filter
The Tyent WIT :: Cell Safe Anti-Scale Hard Water Filter is an inline filter that works with Tyent’s ionizers to combat the effects of hard water and eliminate scale build-up. Tyent is trusted by doctors, athletes, celebrities, and more to provide clean, healthy, and safe drinking water. Tyent creates water that’s more powerful, delivering you more health benefits than you can get with other water solutions.
While other water filters claim to prevent scaling, this filter goes further to remove scaling that’s already happening, giving you the benefits of softer water and providing your ionizer with a powerful boost. This water filter is a great addition to your Tyent ionizer. Tyent ionizers create alkaline water that’s been shown to improve digestive health, bone health, and much more. They also produce the highest levels of molecular hydrogen on the market, which reduces inflammation, boosts your immune system, and provides many more health benefits.
Specifications:
- Composite pre-filter for eliminating scale build-up
- 100% polyphosphate
- Quarter-inch adapter
- Works with Tyent ionizers
- Does not require a canister or housing
- Easy to conceal
Pros:
- Trusted by famous doctors, pro athletes, and celebrities
- Tyent has dozens of premium certifications, including ISO 9001 and ISO 14001
- Trustworthy and transparent—Tyent shares third-party lab results publicly
- Tyent is the only hydrogen water and ionizer company to offer a 100% full lifetime warranty with zero stipulations that covers both parts and labor
- Tyent offers a generous 75-day trial period with a less than 1% return rate
- Accredited with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for excellent customer service and support, A+ rating
- Works with Tyent ionizers for an even more powerful soft water solution
- Blends in perfectly in your luxury kitchen
- Eliminates scale build-up and prevents regrowth
Cons:
- Can take 5-7 days to arrive
- Business hours are Monday through Friday, 9 am to 6 pm EST
Get started with Tyent’s hard water filter.
2. Aqua-Pure AP904 Whole House Scale Reduction System
Aqua-Pure AP904 Whole House Scale Reduction System uses a scale inhibition media to remove hardness. It is strongly recommended to use a sediment pre-filter before using this scale reduction system. This system does not include the pre-filter, but it does include an Aqua-Pure AP917HD-S replacement filter and head and mounting bracket.
Pros:
- Up to 100,000 gallons of capacity
- 304 stainless steel head
- NSF certified
- 5-micron rating
- 125 psi of maximum pressure
- 100 degree Fahrenheit maximum temperature
- 20 gallons-per-minute (GPM) flow rate
Cons:
- May need to invest in multiple filters to get the most benefits
- Reviewers note they don’t believe these filters are of good value
- Some reviewers note these systems have poor water pressure
- Does not include a warranty
3. FilterSmart Whole House Water Filtration System FS1000-1 Million Gallon
FilterSmart Whole House Water Filter System FS1000-1 Million Gallon uses catalytic carbon, a sediment filter, and KDF media filtration to remove water contaminants. The system includes pre-filter housing, the sediment filter, a carbon filter tank, by-pass valves, 1-inch connectors, a filter wrench, a hose bib, and a mount.
Pros:
For the FS-F-12 system for one to three bathrooms:
- 9×48 tank
- 12 GPM flow rate
- 1-inch connector size
- 39 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit temperature range
For the FS-F-15 system for four to six bathrooms:
- 10×54 tank
- 15 GPM flow rate
- 1-inch connector size
- 39 to 114 degrees Fahrenheit temperature range
Cons:
- Some reviewers note trouble during installation, which can result in leaking or the device getting stuck and being difficult to remove
- Reviewers say the product is not a good value
- Some reviewers report buying a filtration system, which they did not know was ineffective for hard water build-up, resulting in wasted time and money
4. Brio 3-Stage Whole House Filtration System – Anti-Scale
Brio 3-Stage Whole House Filtration System – Anti-Scale uses a sediment filter, PHO filter, and CTO filter as anti-scale measures. It’s housed in a stainless steel frame that can be set on the floor or mounted on the wall.
Pros:
- Salt-based
- 5-micron rating
- 900 gallons-per-hour (GPH) flow rate
- 12-month lifespan
- 1-inch connections
Cons:
- Reviewers say the flow rate is too slow
- Brio Water’s focus is more on water coolers, not hard water filters
- Some reviewers say Brio Water filtration systems are difficult to install and maintain
5. Purifit Black Shower and Tap Filter
Purifit Black Shower and Tap Filter attaches to your taps and shower heads and is meant to filter out hard water and chlorine. It fits most standard taps and includes a 24 mm and 28 mm adapter.
Pros:
- Includes installation video
- Includes adapters
- Need to replace cartridges every six months
- Made in India and designed to treat the hard water in India
Cons:
- Purifit does not make drinking water-safe filters
- Purifit filters do not fix cloudy water
- Some reviewers say the price of these products is not worth the value and they are not long-lasting
6. iSpring WCS45KG Whole House Water Softener with Backwash Feature – 45,000 Grain Capacity for Households and Business
iSpring WCS45KG Whole House Water Softener with Backwash Feature – 45,000 Grain Capacity for Households and Business designs a soft water treatment plan based on the water source and treated water volume. Users can also adjust the hardness level through the water softener’s interface.
Pros:
- Capacity for up to 45,000 grains of hardness
- Contains an automatic backwash and media regeneration feature
- Uses fiberglass tank
- Contains automatic control valve
- Uses 1-inch inlet/outlet connectors
- Uses salt
Cons:
- Does not contain a sediment filter
- Needs an additional iron filter for better-quality water
- Water from this system is not drinkable
- Customers report difficulty finding replacement parts when something breaks
7. ShowerStick Shower Water Softener
WaterSticks makes what they call the ShowerStick Shower Water Softener, a water softener that’s designed to remove hard water minerals and be portable. It uses negatively charged resin beads to attract positively charged minerals, like calcium and magnesium.
Pros:
- Made of 3-inch PVC pipe
- 4-inch diameter by 16-inch length
- 1.8 GPM continuous flow
- Made up of resin beads
- Hooks up to a half-inch American shower pipe
- Includes hard water testing strips
- Includes handheld showerhead, hose, and shower arm mount
- Needs salt to clean resin beads through regeneration process
Cons:
- WaterSticks does not make hard water filters that produce safe drinking water
- Some users say that installation is much more difficult than described
- This hard water solution has a high cost, and some reviewers say the price isn’t worth what you get
- Customers say users need to regenerate at least once a week
- It’s suggested to use a KDF filter along with the ShowerStick for cleaner water
More About Hard Water Filters
Interested in learning more about hard water filters? Here are some commonly asked questions about using hard water filters in your home.
Can you filter hardness out of water?
You can’t exactly filter hardness out of water. In general, hard water filters actually combat the effects of hard water, such as scale build-up. Water softeners, on the other hand, remove the calcium and magnesium minerals that cause hard water. Some water filtration systems, however, have features that function like water softeners.
What is the best filter to reduce water hardness?
Tyent’s WIT :: Cell Safe Anti-Scale Hard Water Filter is the best filter to combat the effects of water hardness. This hard water filter not only prevents scaling but can eliminate it—something that not all hard water filters are capable of.
The best part is that this hard water filter works with any ionizer, including Tyent’s ionizers, which also filter out more than 200 contaminants. Using this hard water filter with one of Tyent’s ionizers is the best way to get cleaner, softer water in your home.
Does a water purifier remove hardness?
Water purifiers generally don’t remove water hardness on their own. However, some water purifiers have filters that can combat the effects of hard water or features that work like water softeners, which can reduce the calcium and magnesium minerals in your water.
Does boiling water get rid of hardness?
Boiling water precipitates dissolved minerals out of your water, resulting in temporary softening. However, this solution is not an effective one for removing hard water from your home. It’s not a long-term fix, nor is it an efficient way to get your showering or drinking water each day.
Try the Best Hard Water Filter for Drinking Water
Hard water may have damaging health effects, and it can also harm your hair and skin. Unfortunately, many of us are living with the effects of hard water, but there is a solution. Tyent’s hard water filter stops hard water mineral build-up in its tracks.
To make your water filtration even more effective, consider adding this filter to your Tyent ionizer. On its own, your ionizer has the power to remove more than 200 pollutants, plus give you the benefits of both hydrogen and alkaline water. With this filter and your Tyent ionizer, you get more powerful water and prevent the damage caused by hard water.
Consider adding Tyent’s hard water filter to your home’s water filtration system.
