CLEANER WATER: WHAT'S OUT THERE IN THE WAY OF FILTERS

m o r e (chemical-free H2O)

So the debate about which water is better, healthier, and cheaper has already been decided: it's tap water over bottled hands down (read more about the bothers of bottled here). Just two little facts: we use 15 million barrels of oil a year to manufacture plastic bottles and bottled water makers aren't required to disclose information on where their water came from or how clean it is.

Tap water is more regulated, cleaner, tastes better, and is much, much cheaper. As for on the go or out and about, a safe reusable water bottle takes care of that.

Okay, but there are still some of us who want to make sure our tap water is pure. Chlorine has done much to save lives and disinfect drinking water, but I like the idea of getting rid of it once that water's been cleaned. I also like that water filters get rid of other microbes, VOCs, pharmaceuticals, and anything else gunking it up. 

I use an Aquasana Countertop Filter that I heard about from a sustainable living store I used to blog for. Not only does it get out the baddies, it leaves in trace minerals so the water truly tastes great. And the company claims that the cost factor works out to 10 cents a gallon, a far cry from getting those big plastic bottles delivered every month. I signed up for its warranty program so my replacement filters get sent automatically and any time anything breaks (forever!), I get the parts for free with just a small s&h fee. It's pure, it's reasonably-priced, and it's plastic-free.

See how Aquasana compares to other filter systems if you're thinking about starting or switching to filtered glassfuls.

Then there's the shower. Again, maybe it's not totally necessary, but I don't love the idea of bathing in chlorine everyday. So, I use a shower filter that is compatible with my low flow shower head. I have to say that a few days after switching to filtered water, my hair and skin were softer and smoother. Plus, I felt better knowing I wasn't breathing in chlorine fumes. 

Here are two I like:

Rainshow'r shower filter (and there's a bath ball, particularly for babies' bathtime). Rainshow'r products are made in CA.

New Wave Enviro's shower filter version is sold at many Whole Foods (and likewise has a bath model). New Wave products are made in the U.S as well.

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