Regular tap water can be a source of many chemicals from chlorine to fluoride and many others. We have a water filter for our drinking water, so why not have a bath water filter too?
Thoughts on Bath Water Filters
I’ve gotten lots of water filters over the years. While I still use the drinking water filter, I’ve added a whole house filter too. This helps further reduce contaminants throughout the home.
For showering and bathing, we also use shower filters on our shower heads. When my kids were younger and taking baths though, I wanted a good option for bath water. They’re not easy to find! I told my dad (an engineer) that he needs to work on one of these.
In the meantime, I wanted to find ways to reduce the chemicals my children were exposed to during bath time. My son had allergies and skin troubles since he was a baby, so it was especially important for him. Thanks to some food and lifestyle changes we’ve been able to mostly get rid of those.
Step one was switching to more natural bath products. Even homemade bath bubbles helped. Still, I knew I wanted to do something more.
Toxins in Bath Water?
While the EPA regulates water quality in the US, there’s still plenty to be desired. High levels of heavy metals, like lead from old pipes, can cause problems. Then there are the PFAS (forever chemicals), pesticides, and other contaminants.
What’s added to public drinking water isn’t any better. Fluoride is a known neurotoxin. And chlorine is a poisonous gas. While the idea is that diluted amounts aren’t harmful, that may not be the case.
Most municipal water supplies use chlorine to help reduce pathogens in the water. Some combine chlorine with ammonia or add fluoride. These chemicals are known to increase the risk of asthma, allergies, breathing problems, cancer, and more. They’re toxic when ingested or absorbed through the skin.
Children: A Special Concern
Unfortunately, this puts children most at risk. Some children bathe for 45 minutes or more several nights a week. They also have a larger surface-area-to-body-weight ratio and may absorb chemicals more quickly. They can also be more severely affected by them.
Children’s tissues, organs, and biological systems are still developing. They go through several stages of rapid growth and development from infancy to adolescence. These factors make it so children are likely to have more issues with toxins. Especially at certain age ranges.
Types of Shower & Bath Filtration
We don’t want our kids soaking in a toxic soup, but what can we do about it? And on the occasion I take a relaxing soak, I don’t want to bathe in toxins either!
There are several different options, depending on your preference and budget. For people with rust and really hard water, a water softener is a great first step. Culligan is one popular option. This is more common with well water. Tap water in cities is more likely to have added fluoride and chlorine to it.
Whole House Filter
One of the best ways to get out toxins is with a whole-house water filter system. This water filtration system helps clean water before it even gets to the tub. Here’s the one we have. For added protection, you can pair this with a faucet water filter or shower filter.
Bath Ball Filter
These are a popular option that are budget-friendly. The bath ball hangs on the bathtub faucet and filters the water as it flows through. The filtration media in it can catch sediment and neutralize chlorine. Some popular brands are Crystal Quest and Sprite. Replacement filter cartridges vary in price and quality. Crystal Quest bath filters claim to remove a much wider variety of contaminants.
One common complaint is bath ball filters don’t do well with hard water. Another issue is they don’t work well with the flow rate of certain tubs. The fast water flow can spill over the sides, leaving some water unfiltered.
I like using this bath ball de-chlorinator instead. You just swish it around in the water for 5-8 minutes before getting in. This water purifier is good for over 200 baths and uses vitamin C as the filter media.
Shower Filter
We also have a shower filter the kids and I use. If you have a good shower filter you can also use that to fill up your tub. It takes longer though and the water may not be as warm by the time you get to it.
Here’s what else I do to reduce chemicals in our bath water.
Vitamin C to Reduce Bath Toxins
Carbon block filters remove chlorine, but they can be tough to use for shower and bath water. I have a countertop filter that uses carbon for drinking water. You can also find them in under sink water filter options.
A simpler option is to use Vitamin C. Vitamin C is great for the immune system, but it can also play a role in reducing bath water chemicals and chlorine. It also helps with chloramine (chlorine and ammonia). These chemicals are often used in treating water and can be more dangerous than chlorine alone.
Two forms of Vitamin C will work to neutralize chlorine more effectively:
- Ascorbic Acid form of Vitamin C
- Sodium Ascorbate form of Vitamin C
Personally, I prefer to use sodium ascorbate since it has less of an effect on the pH. But either form will work. I use a teaspoon of either of the above per tub of water. It’s best to put the powder in for 2-5 minutes before getting in the bath to allow it time to work.
If you aren’t a fan of adding powder to the bath each time, there’s another option. The bath ball de-chlorinator mentioned earlier does the same thing.
Adsorbent Clay
Healing clays (like Bentonite clay) bind to heavy metals in the body and help remove them. They’re used as an adsorbent even across industrial and agricultural industries. This same process happens on the skin, and many people use it in detox baths.
One of my favorites is Bentonite Clay (from a previous post):
“Bentonite Clay is a unique clay due to its ability to produce an “electrical charge” when hydrated. Upon contact with fluid, its electrical components change, giving it the ability to absorb toxins. Bentonite is known for its ability to absorb and remove toxins, heavy metals, impurities, and chemicals.”
I use Bentonite Clay to detox my hair and as a “shampoo” of sorts. I also regularly add bentonite clay to my kids’ baths after removing the chlorine.
Note: Don’t use metal when dealing with Bentonite, as it makes it less effective. I mix 2 tablespoons of Bentonite clay with water in a glass jar with a plastic lid and shake well. I then pour this into the bath after the chlorine has been removed. The two types of clay I personally use and have good results with are:
Salts & Minerals
While these don’t reduce toxins in bath water, they help add nutrients back in. I’ve written before (a lot) about magnesium (tired of hearing about it yet?). Due to depleted soil levels of magnesium and synthetic fertilizers, many of us don’t get enough magnesium. One of the easiest ways to help kids avoid this problem is to add these minerals to their bath water.
One 2016 study examined how well magnesium is absorbed through the skin. The researchers found magnesium levels increased in the skin starting at the 15-minute mark.
I regularly add a cup of Epsom salts or magnesium flakes and a few tablespoons of Himalayan salt to my kid’s baths. When I have the time, I take a relaxing bath in this mixture also. Ideally, you’ll want to soak for at least 15 minutes for the best results.
When I don’t have time for a bath, magnesium oil also helps. I notice the benefits of transdermal magnesium (baths or magnesium oil) much more quickly than when I take internal forms of magnesium.
Relaxing Magnesium Bath Salts
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup magnesium flakes (or Epsom salts)
- ½ cup Himalayan salt (or sea salt)
- ½ tsp vanilla extract (optional, for scent)
- 10-15 drops essential oils (optional, I like lavender and mint)
Instructions
- Mix the salt and magnesium together in the jar.
- Sprinkle the vanilla and essential oil on top (if using). These are optional, but add a nice scent and some added health benefits.
- Add the entire mixture to a warm bath and soak for at least 20 minutes (30 is even better).
Notes
- I try to make time for a relaxing bath at least once a week.
- When my kids were little I added it to their bath each night, (plus some homemade bubble bath).
For intensive therapy (illness, eczema, etc.) you can take a magnesium bath every day. But check with your doctor first if you have any medical conditions.
So to recap, here are the steps I do to reduce toxins in our bathwater:
- Use a whole house filter
- Use sodium ascorbate powder or a de-chlorinator ball (when we had municipal water)
- Add bentonite clay to the bath
- Add magnesium with magnesium flakes and Epsom salts
Do you use a bath water filter? Do you add anything to your kid’s bath water? Leave a comment and let me know!
Thanks so much for this post. We recently moved to a new area and the water here is so heavily treated that the chlorine smell coming from my sink tap makes my eyes burn when I brush my teeth! And I have three little ones who take baths several times a week! So, I have a question… Could raw apple cider vinegar be used as a replacement for the vitamin C? I mean if it is the “acid” in the vitamin C that was neutralizing the chlorine/chloramine would vinegar work as well? I hope you get a chance to answer, I’d really like to know what you thought!
I am wondering the same. In fact, it was while doing a search on if ACV neutralizes chlorine that I found this post and this comment.
What an amazingly informative post. Thank you for this, I’ve been thinking a lot these past few months about the water i use for bathing since i moved to London where the water is very chlorinated ..you can sort of smell it when you run the tap. i have definitely noticed it isn’t good for my hair so who knows what it is doing to the skin and the rest of my body. These are seriously amazing suggestions that i’m definitely going to be doing from now on.
really great post. Thanks! xxx
we add Epsom salts and lavender oil to the kids bath. we also put the magnesium butter on their feet before bed.
What is magnesium butter?
At what age should I start adding Epsom salt to child’s bath? My little guy is 3.5 months.
My baby boy is also 3.5 months. Is this too soon to start doing this? I am also interested in if it is unhealthy to swim in the chlorinated pool water during the summer! 🙂 And a question kind of off topic – are there natural alternatives to bleach for the purpose of cleaning the tub, washing machine etc? I am just starting out to switch to non-chemical cleaners and the advice would be much appreciated. Thank you so much for your work!
I use microfiber and baking soda to clean. I do this to the bath water as soon as they are getting baths and not just in the shower with me.
I have an 8 months old baby… also i have a friend who has a 7 years old girl. She never gave her sodas or colas.. because of the chemicals. One day the girl was invited to a birthday party where for the first time she ate chips, procesed cookies and colas… she got mad, she ate it all… the other mamas noticed this and told her what was up. So she told she have never fed her girl with thah, only carrots for schools snacks, and so wellness foods…
After all this I think… is it worth to protect that much to your children when, some day they will discover all garbage food anyway.. and dirty water, and so. Isn’t bad to try to hide the sun with a finger?
Hi Marcela,
I understand what you are saying… should we shelter our children from harmful foods so much when one day they will discover them independently? I wholeheartedly say – YES! I don’t have children, but I have a friend who feeds her son very consciously and healthfully. The son, who is 7, has obviously been exposed to processed, unnatural foods from birthday parties, outings, etc., and he himself CHOOSES not to eat that food because he says “it makes his tummy hurt!”
I think most parents understand their children will be confronted with many confusing options someday, but if they start them on the right path, and as they mature, explain to them their reasoning, they are giving them a solid foundation, not to mention a healthy, robust one! Its what parents are for!
Thanks Katie! I’ll try it on that spot
I have brought my boys up without chemicals/additives etc and they all have a choice no they are older, the 19 yr old eats all sorts but knows now the foods that make him feel unwell, he is progressing on his own journey now he lives alone but I know I have done the best to give him a good foundation and a heads up on all the rubbish that makes your body ill. The 16 yr old only eats what we eat and refuses at parties etc to have anything that isn’t good for his health, the 15 yr old eats organic meat ( we dont eat meat) again this is his choice but he wouldn’t eat any meat that han’t been well looked after and isn’t organic even a family BBQs etc.
I think personally that it is better to give them the knowledge.
I am sorry, but I am confused. What do you mean you add the bentonite clay AFTER the chlorine is removed? Do you add all of these things to one bath? Could you explain it a little more, please?
I would also like to know if all the items can be added to the same bath, ie the vitamin c, clay, epsom salt and essential oils
I believe she means she adds the clay in after the vitamin C has removed the chlorine.
Love your website….what if the child swallows the water with the epsome salts, etc…or gets it in their eyes by accident?
At those levels, it will be fine 🙂
Should you use food grade epsom salt? Some of the bags I’ve been looking at say “do not ingest” and some are good as ingestable as a laxative. Is there a better one for kids?
When in doubt I think food-grade is probably safer.
Thank you! I’ve looked at the San Fran Soak Salts you link to, but can’t tell if they are? Do you know?
Another way to avoid chemicals: take fewer baths! Especially in the winter, we usually just do a bath once every few days instead of every night. Or take a “cat bath” or sponge bath instead to deals with persistently stinky areas. Americans are pretty attached to daily bathing, but it is not necessary for cleanliness or health!
I distinctly remember as young children that we always bathed on Sundays and Wednesdays. So I totally agree with this winter bathing routine. I also remember my mother quizzing us on our math facts in the bathtub…in these measly few hours per week. 🙂
Is it safe to add Epsom salts to my 17 month old’s bath? If so, should I use a smaller amount than a cup?
I add about half a cup at that age
My son is 10 months old and i am looking for something to put in his bath but not sure what is safe at this age. There is not that much water in his small bath but he sits in it for around 20 min daily as he loves his bath time.
Thanks so much.
You could fill the tub from the shower head, thus decontaminating the water with the filter. Just make the temperature a little hotter since it is likely to cool down some from the time it takes to fill.
good idea! should used filtered water from shower if bath ball filter is not available for bath.
What could be the possible harms of putting more than half a cup of Epsom salt in a baby’s bath?
Thank you so much for this! I, too, have a filter on the shower head, but just like you, my kids aren’t old enough for showers yet. I regularly the epsom salts to my kids’ baths (after reading your other post about it!) I was surprised to hear that kids’ baths are typically 45min-2hrs. My kids are in it for only about 10 minutes, tops. I don’t know if that’s enough time for the salt to absorb, but I figure it’s better than nothing, and it’s my paranoia that they’re sitting in unfiltered water that makes me want them out of there as quickly as possible. Thanks to this post, I’ll be purchasing the ball de-clorinator.
Thank You for your site, I came across it just in time since I was looking for salt table, due to your information I really know now what I was really needing.
Thank You
Have you thought about filling the tub with the shower head?
Haha, right I thought the same thing. Why make things so complicated? Just fill the tub with the shower head!
Me too. It’s 10-15 minutes with Epsom salts.
But does the Vitamin C remove fluoride? And would that irritate a child’s sensitive skin??
Ive read that a bath/shower is like ingesting a cup full of tap water. (I find ‘that much’ hard to believe being that we can’t “hydrate” our bodies from the shower… but nonetheless id like to play it safe so I’m know I’m covered. )
Hi there,
Thank you so much for this blog post. I had a little question, Is there a danger on mixing epsom salt and ascorbic acid / sodium ascorbate in baths?