The Best Bath Water Filters to Reduce Toxins

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Wellness Mama » Blog » Natural Home » The Best Bath Water Filters to Reduce Toxins

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:

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.

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Relaxing Magnesium Bath Salts

These soothing magnesium bath salts add a relaxing dose of healthy minerals to bathwater
Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Yield: 1 bath
Author: Katie Wells

Materials

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:

Do you use a bath water filter? Do you add anything to your kid’s bath water? Leave a comment and let me know!

Sources
  1. Chandrasekaran, N. C., et al. (2016). Permeation of topically applied Magnesium ions through human skin is facilitated by hair follicles. Magnesium research, 29(2), 35–42.
  2. Wang, Z. K., et al. (2022). Natural-clay-reinforced hydrogel adsorbent: Rapid adsorption of heavy-metal ions and dyes from textile wastewater. Water environment research: a research publication of the Water Environment Federation, 94(4), e10698.
  3. Kanikowska, A., et al. (2018). Influence of chlorinated water on the development of allergic diseases – An overview. Annals of agricultural and environmental medicine: AAEM25(4), 651–655.
  4. Weil, A. (2009, November 6). Dangers of Chlorine?
  5. Kresser, C. (2019, June 19). Is Your Daily Shower Making You Sick?

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Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

208 responses to “The Best Bath Water Filters to Reduce Toxins”

  1. Sawyer Avatar

    Do you feel its safe to add the vitamin C to a newborns bath? Im due to have my first baby soon and just trying to figure out how to clean the water before bathing him.

  2. Michaela Harris Avatar
    Michaela Harris

    Hello-I found this article very interesting as my husband and I recently left our rental due to high (above federal regulation) levels of TTHM, haloacetic acids, & phosphorus reported in our water. My husband was having asthma attacks after showering, and I had been sick for over 2 mos. without any understanding as to what was causing it before we made the water connection. I am still sick – very fatigued & achey. I’m wondering if you would have any recommendations on ways to detoxify from what we were exposed to? We have obviously removed ourselves entirely from the source. We are taking milk thistle & probiotics. I’m desperate to get better and for my body to heal from the damage. Let me know of any suggestions. thanks so much.

  3. Destiny Avatar

    So does using the vitamin C powder work good enough on it’s own to neutralize the chlorine or do you recommend using both the powder and the ball? Thanks

      1. Krystal Wight Armstrong Avatar
        Krystal Wight Armstrong

        That’s interesting! Did you happen to get your labs run?^

  4. Katie Avatar

    Myself and Kids take quite a few baths. Could we use C-Comples Power: Includes Vit C (from Calcium Ascorbate), Calcium (from calcium Ascorbate), citrus bioflavonoids, rose hips power and acerola power as a way to neutralize the chlorine? Thank You for your help!!

  5. Marsha Avatar

    I dont have a single water filter in my house. I have a 4 year old and a 2 week old and i always use our tap water to cook and bathe them. I didnt even know all this was bad. What kind of filter do you recomend for our house? …feeling a little overwhelmed with everything we have to do to keep our kids safe.. ???? thank you so much for your advice

  6. jenny Avatar

    What specific vitamin C shower head brand do you use? do you attach it to another filter as well?

  7. Olga Avatar

    I am using ascorbic acid to neutralize fuoride and chlorine in bathwater. I would also like to use the bentonite clay but their instructions warn that the clay may eventually clog your plumbing. Do you have a fix for this? Thanks

  8. Gaylene Avatar
    Gaylene

    Hi Katie… LOVE your site! I have a question about the magnesium bath recipe above. I’ve used it the last few months on my 4 year old son because he has had severe eczema. It has helped his skin tremendously. My question is my almost 5 month old baby girl has eczema. I know diet has a lot to do with it (after experimenting with my son) and I am no longer able to nurse (long story) but I make her formula. She did start developing the eczema when I was nursing. Do you think the magnesium bath recipe above would be ok to put her in? I’ve been adding the Vitamin C but was hoping to try the magnesium.

    I know you are VERY busy and if you have a moment to respond that would be wonderful.

    Gaylene

  9. Heather Avatar
    Heather

    What do you think of mineral water. We started drinking sparkling water (no sugars, flavorings or sodium) to help kick the soda habit. Now I’m wondering about doing the mineral water version to help get more magnesium and because I enjoy the bubbly drinks. Any thoughts on this as a source for magnesium and other minerals?

  10. Heather Avatar
    Heather

    So add vitamin C, then add the clay and then add the salts? I want to make sure I am understanding the order so that I get the best results and cleanest bath water for kiddos. 🙂

  11. Jemma Goddard Avatar
    Jemma Goddard

    Hi Wellness Mama, we use a full house filter. It was about $600 and worth every cent (both our daughters have eczema) It flares up every now and again and isn’t totally gone but it was so much better the minute we installed the filter. Highly recommend a full house filter system! We change the filters every 6 months.

    1. Carol Avatar

      What brand? Can’t believe you got a whole house filter for only $600.!!! Most run in the $1,000.’s!
      I’d like to get what you have! Thanks!

  12. Lisa Avatar

    Hi Katie, which specific brand of vitamin C shower filter do you use? I’ve been looking at a couple different brands but have no idea which to buy. I trust your recommendation. Thanks!

  13. Faith Avatar

    We have well water with a water softener. What can we do to help the quality of our bath and drinking water?

  14. Jawairia Avatar
    Jawairia

    Any recommendation for a good and affordable drinking water filter. Your website is amazing and so are your recipes. The chocolate chip cookie is my fav. Thanks a lot.

  15. Alana Avatar

    Hi! My babes is currently 10 months and about 20#. Would you recommend halving or quartering the mineral recipe for her bath?

  16. Vitani Avatar

    Would any of these be safe to use with toddler or infant age group children?
    Thanks!

  17. Molly Huang Avatar
    Molly Huang

    Do you add Mg and Bentonite clay to the bath water at the same time? Mg is a metal on the periodic table so I am wondering if the Mg would deactivate the Bentonite clay. Thanks!

  18. Jess Avatar

    Hi, can you please tell me which specific type of shower filter do you use? Thanks~

    1. Heather Avatar

      Jess not sure if you ever got a response from Katie the one I like is the Omica Shower Filter. They sell them on Amazon. Just be sure to read the installation instructions and first use instructions. The first time you use it the water comes out purplish because the filter uses charcoal to filter the water. Just let the water run for a few minutes and it will lighten up fairly quickly. Then after that it will be clear. I like the fact that it lasts for 6 to 8 months.

      A friend of mine also likes the Aquasana AS-4100NSH. It is also on Amazon.

      Either can be used with most existing shower heads.

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