Shower tap filter to reduce Chalk : need help

Daily Life, Swiss News and General Topics
1
My husband and I are looking for a water filter for the shower to filter the chalk content. Not the one that filters the house's whole water system, but just something you can screw onto your shower tap or shower head.

On Google, I see plenty of options for Chlorine filters, but very few against chalk... and none that we can get in Switzerland. Does anyone here own such a thing, or know where I can get it?

We also went to the local Fust store, and they have no idea that such a thing even exists.

2
It's difficult to imagine that it would, to be honest. I can't imagine a water filter coping with the sort of flow rate you'd want in a shower.

And perhaps equally important, from the point of view of anyone thinking about marketing such a device, why would anyone want to fit such a thing on a shower, but not the rest of the water supply?

3
We found this on Ebay. But not sure how well it works, and were hoping to find something which looks less ugly here in Switzerland.

The 'screw on' option is of course cheaper than setting up a system for the whole house (which is not an option for us anyway, as we are apartment renters). Also we are okay with the drinking quality of the water here. It's just that my hubby has been having serious problems with flakes on his head which we think is from the chalk. He doesn't have this problem when we travel out of the country, and we've tried dandruff shampoos and gone to the doctor (who advised him to just wash his hair less, which didn't help either)..

4
I know you don't want a whole house system as you are a renter, but I found this in our local co-op hobby shop, I was skeptical as I seen a number of systems that look the same but don't really work, but this apparently works on a different principle to the others and haven't found negative reviews about it yet.

We haven't had it installed very long so unfortunately I can't give you any feedback as to whether it makes a difference or not, but it does have the advantage of being a non-invasive install.

5
There are no filters that screw in the tap, just one that through physics and magnets that break down the particle size and suspends the minerals in the water in such a manner that they don't deposit themselves so firmly on shower fittings and tiles. They don't reduce the mineral content at all.

Most anti-dandruff commercial shampoos are harsh, dry and irritate the scalp even more. Try Schluesselblumen shampoo for the hair and Calendula Dusch for the body daily. You can get them from a Drogerie that has natural products. Reduce the intake of foods with high butter fat, such as ice cream, butter and soft cheeses.

6
The German's seem to have the best products for consumer fitting and use.

Typically the Swiss companies are overkill on wanting to set up a multi 100/1000 chufs industrial-type system to eliminate all water impurities for the whole house for the next 100yrs.

See here:

http://www.duschfiltershop.de/

and here:

http://www.human-wellness.com/Duschf...Chlor-und-Kalk

7
I had something similar in a rented house in London - can't say how effective it was, as I had no before/after scenario for comparative purposes.

However it is intended to be fitted to the main water-in pipe, just after the main stopcock, for the whole houses' water supply.

8
Because chalk in drinking water is actually good for you (ever heard of mineral water?)

Wonderful what marketing tries to convince people, isn't it.

9
From that website:

" Kalkbeseitigung

Eine führende Firma (Innovative Water Technologies - Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA), die sich mit Wasserreinigungstechnologien befasst, verwendet KDF-Technologie, um ein Wasser-Filtersystem herzustellen, das Kalk signifikant daran hindert, sich auf Gerätschaften und Maschinen, die Wasser ausgesetzt sind, abzulagern.

Blah, blah, what I just said above.

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Thanks all, for your comments and helpful opinions. Much appreciated!

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...sorry Miss Winti, I didn't mention it before, but it is exactly the same with me as with your husband, and I have lived here for many years. Behind it all is something like Seborrheic dermatitis which is irritated by the particular minerals in the water here. The commercial, mass produced shampoos with all their chemicals make it doubly worse. I have found the same to be true of the dermatologist prescribed pharmaceutical products, temporary relief but no cure.

As I mentioned before, paying attention to butter fat intake and using only Schluesselblumen shampoo for the scalp and Calendula shower soap have eliminated the problem for me completely.... well, except when I have an ice cream binge which I pay for a few days later.

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J_T, thanks for mentioning that. We only thought of tackling the problem of the chalk directly as my husband doesn't have scalp issues when we travel abroad, as I've mentioned (and of course we don't control our eating habits there either). Perhaps your solution works, although I can't imagine him changing his eating habits, as that would be like exchanging one kind of torture for another. He loves good food and loves to cook.

I used to be very into gentle organic shampoos and conditioners myself, which my husband would sometimes use, but it did not seem to help his condition either. I still watch what I use, but have made some compromises now... But can you share the shampoo brand that you use? I was thinking of getting one of those tea tree oil shampoos if we couldn't get the filter, but they too can be drying as well. And my husband hates the smell of tea tree oil

13
Yes you guys are not crazy. Until I moved here I had no problems. Now I have serious dandruff and very flaky skin. I comically call myself 'the lizard' to my husband, but it's not funny and I think embarrassing. I NEVER had this problem before I moved here and same as your husband, when we travel it goes away. Something about the extreme calcium level in the water here. I blogged about this before but got trashed about how good the water is here for you. I mean, it can't be that good when it eats thru my pets ceramic water bowls. We drink only bottled water now, but NO amount of moisturizing, vitamins, hydration drinks have been able to solve my problem. I think what you are looking for, and we have in the states, is a water softener shower head

You don't have to do your whole water system as it is your skin. I might try Amazon.....

14
Just did some research: Something like this -- a US site but Culligan is a good brand.

Culligan WSH-C125 Wall-Mount 10,000 Gallon Capacity Filtered Showerhead, Chrome Finish

Technical Details

Patented filter that reduces 99% of chlorine reducing sulfur odors and scale

Anti clog rubber spray nozzles and 10,000 gallon filter capacity

Easy to install with no tool required

5 spray settings with massage

NSF Certified with a 5 year warranty

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

With the powerful filtration system of the Culligan Level 2 Wall-Mount Showerhead, you can reduce the chemicals in your water for a cleaner shower and softer skin. Featuring an anti-clog rubber spray nozzle and sleek chrome finish, this showerhead offers the choice of five spray settings. The Culligan Wall-Mount Showerhead provides filtration against sulfur, chlorine, and scale for up to 10,000 gallons of water, and it meets NSF standards for water safety.

Level 2 Wall-Mount Showerhead

At a Glance:

Removes up to 99 percent of chlorine from water

Features five spray settings

Makes hair and skin softer and cleaner

Installs without tools

Five-year limited warranty

This showerhead features five spray settings and removes 99 percent of chlorine from water. View larger.

Reduces Chlorine and Scale Buildup for a Softer Shower

The Culligan Level 2 Wall-Mount Showerhead offers a refreshing shower experience by reducing harsh chlorine levels and damaging scale buildup. The filtration system removes up to 99 percent of chlorine, as well as the impurities within water that can damage hair follicles and result in dry, itchy scalp. Additionally, by reducing the amount of scale (a hard, filmy residue created by minerals in water), the showerhead is able to give you more of the hydrating nourishment your skin and scalp need.

15
Has anyone found any good solutions in the years since this thread?

I desperately need something to reduce the calc for my shower- my skin and hair are in bad shape!

Please post if you have found something that works/some solution!

If it works I'll make you a cake and deliver it to your door

16
We installed something like this in our former house

http://www.swisskalk.ch/ch/cms/front...FVLItAodMX0ArA

I could really feel the difference in the water.

Are you renting?

Do you need it only for the shower?

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I'd like it for the whole water supply, but yes we are renting an apartment so that wouldn't work I suppose. The shower is the main place I want it in this situation.

Thanks for the link though! I'll make a note of it if we ever get our own place here

18
What timing! We were again just pondering on this issue after returning from an awesome vacation in Phuket where the water is much softer. My husband is considering going to the derm, but actually i'm not so keen on the medications or possibly steroid creams that they would probably suggest.

We have been using the filter from the dushfiltershop and i would say that it has only slightly helped the problem but not to the extent that i would repurchase again. I still see chalk marks from the shower... Reading the old posts in this thread, I think we will finally give the Schluesselblumen shampoo and Calendula soap a try as suggested by J_T.

Good luck!

19
Oh wow! I was just looking to order one from Duschfiltershop.. which one do you have? 8 Phasen Luxus Duschfilter ?

I also found this, but I think it might be just one that helps the calc particles from adhering to the shower and not a calc reducer- I don't speak German and translate wasn't much help... anyone clear on what this product is for exactly?:

http://www.amazon.de/BWT-Quick-Clean...3T8ND59VP51GQS

I also don't want to go the medication/chemical route.. hope we can find a solution!

20
Yes i have the 8 phasen one for our bath, and the schlanker dushfilter for the shower.