How to Choose a Water Filter for Your Home

What are you really drinking?

If you have followed me (on Instagram) for a while, you will know I never shut up about the importance of water filtration. And that isn't because I have nothing else to shout from the rooftops, it's because it's one of the most important things to do if you want a truly healthy home.

We all know the importance of water. We drink it, bathe in it, wash our clothes, rinse our veggies...and most of us assume it's clean just because it comes out of the tap.

But unfortunately, that’s not always the case.

Even treated tap water can contain traces of chemicals, heavy metals, and microplastics. And for those of us wanting to create a healthier home, that’s something worth paying attention to.

So, how do you know what kind of water filter you need?

Let’s break it down simply.

First, understand what you're filtering out

Water quality varies depending on where you live, so it’s worth checking your local water report (most councils publish these online). Common things you may want to remove include:

• Chlorine and chloramine are used to disinfect water, but can be irritating to the skin and lungs

• Heavy metals, such as lead or copper, from old pipes

• Fluoride is added for dental health, but some people prefer to avoid it

• Pesticides and herbicides, often found in agricultural areas

• Microplastics and PFAS, emerging concerns in water globally

Once you know what’s in your water, you can choose a filter that targets those contaminants.

Types of filters (and what they actually do)

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to water filters, but here are the most common options:

1. Jug filters

These are affordable and easy to use, but generally offer only basic filtration (usually just taste and odour).

Best for: renters or short-term use.

Limitations: won’t remove fluoride or many heavy metals

2. Benchtop gravity filters

These sit on your bench and don’t need plumbing. High-quality versions (like Waters Co or Zazen) can remove fluoride, heavy metals, chlorine, and more.

Best for: households wanting a deeper clean without plumbing work

Watch for: replacement cartridge costs and whether plastics are BPA-free

3. Undersink filters

Installed under your sink and plumbed directly into your tap (or a separate tap). They often offer multi-stage filtration and are a great long-term solution.

Best for: homeowners or renovators

Watch for: the type of filter cartridges and choose those that remove a wide range of contaminants

4. Whole-house filters

These are fitted to your main water line and filter all water coming into your home, baths, showers, laundry, even the garden hose (unless you install a bypass, which is also common

Best for: families wanting low-tox living throughout the home.

Good to know: some of these don't remove fluoride or VOC's it depends on the filtration medium selected

Special note on fluoride

If avoiding fluoride is important to you, reverse osmosis (RO) or specialty fluoride filters are usually your best bet. Just keep in mind RO also removes minerals—so opt for a system that remineralises the water, or add those minerals back in.

What about water filter certifications?

Look for third-party certifications like:

• NSF/ANSI – ensures filters remove what they claim to

• WaterMark (Australia) – applies to plumbing products, including some under-sink systems

• GREENGUARD or similar – for filter components, if you're concerned about VOC off-gassing from plastics

  
  

My personal tips:

• Consider your lifestyle (Are you renting? Do you have kids? Renovating?)

• What are you looking to remove? Not all systems do all contaminants

• Check the cost and timing for replacing filters.

• Make sure you’re replacing cartridges regularly, as they can breed bacteria if left too long

• If you’re filtering for drinking and showering, consider combining systems for full coverage

Final thoughts

Filtering your water is one of the simplest and most impactful ways to create a healthier home. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it should be tailored to your space, your needs, and your values.

Need help choosing the right filter? I offer Healthy Home Consultations where we can chat about your current setup and find a system that suits you and your family.