Can Shower Filters Filter PFAS or VOCs from Tap Water? Yes—Here’s what you need to know

You’re careful about choosing organic produce, drinking filtered water, and researching the ingredients in your skincare. You’ve built a life around wellness. But have you ever thought about the water you shower in every day?

Your everyday shower is supposed to be a retreat—a time to wash away stress, revitalize your body, and invite the day ahead, or unwind for the night.

At Vitaclean, we think that this ritual should be as pure as your intentions. Our goal is to turn your shower into a clean, rejuvenating sanctuary. That is why we are addressing the question that has been plaguing the minds of every health-focused showerer: Can I protect myself from invisible dangers, such as PFAS and VOCs, that are in my tap water with a shower filter? The answer is slightly more complex - and hopeful - than you might think. Let's take a look.

Ready to elevate your daily ritual? Harness the power of a purified shower with Vitaclean’s Triple Filter System.

 

What Are PFAS and VOCs? Uncovering the Invisible Enemy

Before we can fight them, we need to know what they are. PFAS and VOCs are two contaminant categories that we are increasingly seeing in municipal water supplies, and they  remain mostly invisible to the naked eye.

A. What Are PFAS? (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)

You may have seen PFAS referred to as “forever chemicals”. This is because they are notoriously difficult to break down, both in the environment and inside our bodies.

These synthetic chemicals have been integrated into our lives for many years, in non-stick pots/pans (Teflon), stain-resistant clothing (commonly known as water-resistant), and firefighting foam. Unfortunately, their persistence means they accumulate in bodies, and exposure has been linked to serious health issues. Long-term exposure to certain PFAS may lead to the following, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• increased risk for some cancers (e.g., kidney and testicular),

• hormonal interference and thyroid dysfunction

• decreased immune response

• increased cholesterol levels

Due to the ubiquity of the use of these chemicals, they are now found in the blood of the most of people worldwide, making exposure reduction an urgent wellness priority.

B. What Are VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)?

Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals that readily vaporize/gas at room temperature. When they are in your water, the heat and steam from your shower can allow these compounds to enter the air you breathe.

The EPA lists these examples of common VOCs found in water supplies, such as industrial chemicals like benzene, and chloroform (a by-product of chlorine disinfection), from solvents and by-products from plastics.

They come into our water through industrial discharge as well as agricultural runoff, and even the disinfection process itself. If these compounds are inhaled, they can have acute and chronic health effects, from headaches and nausea to severe respiratory and neurological problems.

 

The "Secret" Problem: Why Inhalation in the Shower Is Important

You may think drinking contaminated water is the biggest risk, but your daily shower represents an important yet often neglected route of exposure. When you take a hot, steamy shower, two key aspects occur:

• Your skin absorbs whatever it is touching at an increased rate when your pores are open.

• VOCs volatilize, turning your shower stall into a kind of gas chamber while you inhale these chemicals directly into your lungs.

A study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) indicated that inhalation and skin absorption of certain chemicals during a shower could pose a larger risk than drinking the same water. Because inhaled, volatilized chemicals bypass the digestive system and enter the bloodstream directly, the dose is more potent.

Most water pitchers are meant for cleaning up the taste of drinking water, but do nothing for the vaporized toxins and contaminants we inhale from our showers. This is why a high-quality shower filter is not a luxury item for a clean lifestyle but a necessity.

 

Do Shower Filters Actually Remove PFAS or VOCs?

This is the million-dollar question. The effectiveness of a shower filter is entirely dependent on its mechanism of action.

The Short Answer

Most run-of-the-mill shower filters available in the marketplace do not effectively remove PFAS. PFAS, or "forever chemicals", are some of the most difficult chemicals to filter as they have very durable carbon-fluorine bonds and most often require advanced whole-home systems—i.e., reverse osmosis systems that are either impractical due to water pressure to be functional through a showerhead or often far too expensive.

Fortunately, there is a different story to be told about VOCs. With respect to VOCs, it is possible for high-performance shower filters, especially those that utilize multiple layers of filtration media, to successfully reduce certain VOCs and, most importantly, chlorine, which is responsible for harmful disinfection byproducts in hot water.

Overview of Filtration Technologies

• Activated Carbon: A common filter media, activated carbon is great at adsorbing (rather than absorbing) many VOCs and chlorine. It is like a magnet to these organic compounds.

• KDF (Kinetic Degradation Fluxion): KDF is a high-purity copper-zinc alloy that is highly effective for the reduction of chlorine and heavy metals and provides a barrier to the development of bacteria and algae. KDF works best in hot water, making it ideal for the shower.

• Vitamin C: This is where wellness and science intersect. Vitamin C is a total powerhouse at neutralizing chlorine and its toxic by-product, chloramine, and does so on contact. Most notably, Vitamin C can prevent the development of specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like chloroform by eliminating chlorine and chloramine.

• Ion Exchange/Reverse Osmosis: Ion exchange and Reverse Osmosis are highly effective for PFAS removal; however, these systems are seldom used in shower filters as they significantly reduce water pressure. Additionally, RO systems waste a considerable amount of water for a single fixture.

As the Water Quality Association (WQA) states, treating many types of contaminants, such as PFAS, requires unique treatment mechanisms. For VOCs and chlorine in shower-specific filtration, a multi-stage approach is necessary.

 

Where Vitaclean Fits In: A Commitment to a Cleaner Shower

At Vitaclean, we believe in transparency and efficacy. We acknowledge that no shower filter on the market can claim that it filters out all PFAS contaminants. We've engineered our products to address the threats we can mitigate in the shower.

The Vitaclean Triple-Filtration System is designed to create the purest and most beneficial shower experience possible. Here's how it works:

• Microfiber Cloth: Our first filter that traps rust, sediment, and larger materials.

• Ceramic Balls: Work to absorb more particulates and help balance the pH of the water.

• Vitamin C Filter: This is the main event. Our gel-based vitamin C filter totally neutralizes chlorine and chloramines, which dramatically lowers your exposure to the harmful vapors (VOCs like chloroform) and the drying effects of chlorine and chloramines in the shower.

By concentrating on a multi-layered system, we allow you to safely reduce your body's overall toxic load every time you shower. And we didn’t just filter your water - we infuse it with skin-loving Vitamin C and therapeutic essential oils to elevate the shower experience with aromatherapy and soothe your mind to deliver a truly clean experience inside and out.

Interested in a shower system that goes the extra mile? Try Vitaclean's Vitamin C Shower Heads.

 

More than a filtration system: Healthier skin & hair from limiting toxins.

Eliminating chlorine and reducing chemical exposure in your shower isn't just about long-term health, but the visible results you can see and feel after just a few showers.

Unfiltered water, filled with chlorine and other chemicals, strips the skin and hair of their natural oils which leads to:

• Skin: Dryness, itchiness, inflammation, and flare-ups of existing conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

• Hair: Frizz, brittleness, breakage, and dull, faded color for dyed hair.

By neutralizing harsh chemicals in your shower water, a Vitaclean shower protects the skin’s moisture barrier and keeps your hair cuticles smooth and healthy. The result? Softer skin, shinier hair, and calmer complexions, all simply by changing the chemistry of the water you use daily. Your shower water forms the true foundation of any effective beauty routine, turning an everyday task into a powerful ritual for radiant skin and vibrant hair.

Are you ready to shine from the shower up? Check out Vitaclean's Handheld or Wall-Mount Filters.

 

Can You Truly Eliminate PFAS from the Shower? A Realistic Perspective

Let's be honest: there is no single at-home shower filter that can promise 100% PFAS removal. Mistaking the aim of 100% perfection for an achievable goal is not a useful approach; harm reduction is a worthwhile effort.

Think about it this way: you can’t control the air quality outside your home—there are too many factors beyond your reach. But you can improve the air you breathe indoors by using an air purifier that filters out dust, allergens, pollutants, and odors, creating a cleaner, healthier environment for you and your family.

Similarly, while you can’t single-handedly purify the entire municipal water supply, you do have complete control over the water that touches your skin every day in the shower. This simple step transforms your daily routine into an effective way to protect your skin, hair, and overall well-being by managing the quality of your shower water, just like an air purifier does for indoor air.

Managing PFAS exposure is important. Showering with filtered water decreases the total toxic burden on your body, allowing your system to better detox and live! This one change, plus other knowledgeable choices, matters.

Your PFAS Exposure Checklist:

• Drink water filtered with a PFAS-removing and certified water filtration system (i.e., reverse osmosis).

• Use cookware and home product cleaning supplies free of PFAS.

• Use a good shower filter (like Vitaclean) to reduce exposure to chlorine and VOCs.

How to Choose the Best Shower Filter for You

We believe that if you make an informed choice, you can make an empowered one, too. Any filter is better than none; however, to genuinely invest in your health, be on the lookout for a system that includes:

• Multi-Layer Filtration: A single medium is rarely sufficient. Find a system that integrates multiple technologies to address a broader range of impurities.

• Demonstrated Dechlorination: Chlorine is a massive issue. Make sure your filter has a super-effective dechlorinator. We suggest looking for a filter that uses Vitamin C or KDF, as both neutralize chlorine with conviction.

• Wellness Additives: While many filters do a great job removing unwanted substances, find filters that also add beneficial substances back into the shower water, too - like skin-nourishing vitamins or pH-balancing minerals.

Here is how Vitaclean compares against generic single-stage filters:

 Don’t settle for less when it comes to your health.  Invest in your health with a quick shower upgrade from Vitaclean.

 

Real-Life Impact: What the Community Is Saying

The proof is in the pudding... said another way, we are really proud to have built a community of people who care about wellness and can share their personal experience with Vitaclean.

"I was skeptical, but my skin has never felt softer. The constant itchiness I had on my back is gone, and my hair is less frizzy. Can you believe it was my water this whole time!" - Jessica

"The peace of mind is priceless. Knowing I’m not breathing in a cloud of chlorine each morning changed my entire mindset. The lavender scent has become my favorite part of my self-care routine." - David

"Being a hairstylist, I recommend this to my clients with color-treated hair - it really cuts down on fading and damage! Totally worth the money." - Chloe

Join thousands today who are experiencing cleaner, happier showers with Vitaclean.

 

Final Thoughts: A Small Change that Can Make a Big Wellness Difference

In our world full of uncontrollable environmental stressors, it is empowering to feel in charge of the things you can. You don’t have to wait to feel symptoms or wait for regulations to keep up. You can take action on your home and body's health today.

Your shower water shouldn’t hold you back, it should power you up. Flush out hidden chemicals and start every day with pure, clean water that feeds your skin and hair the healthy boost they deserve. Because health is true wealth, and it all begins in the shower.

Make your daily shower your wellness ritual.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Do Vitaclean filters remove PFAS? 

A: No standard shower filter, including Vitaclean, can effectively remove PFAS. PFAS (forever chemicals) require advanced whole-house systems. Our filters are scientifically designed to eliminate 99% of chlorine and reduce other pollutants, resulting in a noticeably decreased chemical exposure each time you shower.

Q: What are the toxins removed by a Vitamin C filter? 

A: Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant which neutralizes chlorine and chloramines – two familiar and destructive chemicals found in tap water – instantaneously. It also diminishes the formation of toxic disinfection by-products like chloroform (a VOC).

Q: How often do I change my Vitaclean filter? 

A: To achieve optimal results, we recommend changing your Vitamin C filter every 30 to 90 uses, or every 1-3 months in a typical household. That way, you can guarantee the experience of getting the best quality of purified, vitamin-infused water. Purchase replacement filters here.

Q: What is the main difference between the wall-mounted and handheld versions? 

A: Both offer the same Triple-Filtration system. The wall-mounted shower has a luxury feel, resembling a rain-shower experience. The handheld shower has the advantage of flexibility for rinsing, cleaning the shower, and is ideal for bathing children and pets! Ultimately, it is a matter of personal preference.