Why Your Shower Smells More Like Chlorine in Winter
You step into a hot shower on a cold morning, and there it is: that familiar pool smell. Maybe it seems stronger than it did in summer. You're not imagining it. But it usually isn't because there's more chlorine in your water.
Here's what's really going on, and some simple ways to notice it less.
Is There More Chlorine in Your Water in Winter?
Usually, no. Cities add chlorine to tap water to keep it clean on its way to your home. Chlorine breaks down faster in warm water, so cities often have to work harder to keep levels steady in summer. In cold weather, it tends to break down more slowly.
So if your shower smells more like chlorine in winter, the reason is usually in your bathroom, not your water supply.
What's Really Going On
Your showers are hotter
When it's cold outside, most of us turn the temperature up. The hotter the water, the more easily chlorine escapes into the steam. More chlorine in the air means a stronger smell, even when the amount in your water hasn't changed.
Your bathroom gets less fresh air
In winter, windows stay shut and doors stay closed to keep the heat in. Steam has nowhere to go, so it hangs around. And so does the smell.
Your skin is drier
Indoor heating dries out the air, and that can leave your skin feeling dry too. When your skin already feels tight, you may simply notice how your shower water feels more than usual.
Your city may be working on the pipes
Cities sometimes flush their water pipes to clear out grit and sediment. Some also change the type of disinfectant they use for a few weeks to keep their pipes clean. Both can make your water smell more like chlorine for a short time.
This can happen at any time of year, not only in winter. Your water company usually shares the dates ahead of time.
Is the Smell Anything to Worry About?
No. Chlorine is added to keep tap water safe, and city water has to meet strict standards. The smell is a sign your water has been treated.
But safe to drink doesn't always mean kind to your skin. Chlorine is one of the most common irritants in everyday tap water. If you have sensitive skin, or your skin feels dry in winter, it's worth thinking about how much reaches you in the shower.
Simple Ways to Notice It Less
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Turn the heat down a little. Warm water releases less chlorine into the steam than hot water. It's kinder to your skin too.
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Keep showers short. About 5 to 10 minutes is plenty for most people.
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Let the steam out. Turn on the bathroom fan, or open the door a crack once you're done.
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Moisturize while you're still damp. This helps your skin hold on to some of the water.
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Add a shower filter. It reduces chlorine before the water reaches you.
How a Shower Filter Helps
A shower filter reduces chlorine in your shower water, so less of it reaches your skin and hair. Aquabliss filters work in both hot and cold water, so they keep working when you turn the temperature up in winter.
They fit between your shower arm (the pipe that comes out of the wall) and your shower head. They take under 2 minutes to put in, with no tools, and fit any standard ½ inch shower arm.
Which Filter Is Right for You?
Aquabliss Daily Revitalize Shower Filter (SF100): for everyday use
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Reduces chlorine and odors
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Contains Vitamin C filtration media
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Designed for sensitive skin, and kinder to skin and hair with regular use
Aquabliss Daily Essential Shower Filter (SF220): the simple choice
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Reduces chlorine and odors with three layers of filtration
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Works in both hot and cold water
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May help reduce irritation linked to water quality
Aquabliss Daily Revitalize+ Shower Filter (SF400): for extra filtration
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Reduces chlorine, with 40% more filter material than the SF100
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Double the Vitamin C of the SF100
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Kinder to skin, hair and nails with regular use
Aquabliss Daily Essential+ Heavy Duty Shower Filter (SF500): our most filter material
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Reduces chlorine and odors, with 44% more filter material than standard shower filters
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Uses coconut shell activated carbon, a higher-grade source than standard options
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Designed for sensitive skin
Keep Your Filter Fresh
The cartridge is the part inside your filter that does the work. Each one lasts 3 to 6 months, depending on your water.
If you start to notice the chlorine smell coming back, check when you last changed your cartridge. It may be time for a new one.
SF220 Daily Essential Shower Filter
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there more chlorine in tap water in winter?
Usually not. Chlorine breaks down more slowly in cold water, and cities aim to keep levels steady all year. A stronger smell in winter is more often down to hotter showers and less fresh air in the bathroom.
Why does hot water smell more of chlorine than cold water?
Heat helps chlorine escape from the water into the steam. That's why a hot shower can smell stronger than a glass of cold water from the same tap.
Can a shower filter help with the chlorine smell?
Yes. Aquabliss filters reduce chlorine in your shower water. The SF100, SF220 and SF500 also reduce odors.
Do shower filters work in hot water?
Aquabliss filters are designed to reduce chlorine in both hot and cold water, so they keep working in a warm winter shower.
How do I know when to change my cartridge?
Every 3 to 6 months, depending on your water. If the chlorine smell starts to come back, that's a good sign to check.
