Filters and softeners

Glass of clear water on a light wooden table beside an open book and sunglasses, soft green background

Do magnetic and electronic water softeners work?

Part of our filters and softeners guide A box or a pair of magnets on the pipe, no salt and a promise of less limescale. What do UK official sources...

Do magnetic and electronic water softeners work?

Part of our filters and softeners guide A box or a pair of magnets on the pipe, no salt and a promise of less limescale. What do UK official sources...

A glass of water with a faint limescale ring beside a small round filter cartridge

Do shower filters work on hard water?

Part of our filters and softeners guide The shower screen has gone cloudy, the head is clogging, and a screw-on filter promises to fix both. What do UK sources say...

Do shower filters work on hard water?

Part of our filters and softeners guide The shower screen has gone cloudy, the head is clogging, and a screw-on filter promises to fix both. What do UK sources say...

Glass of clear water beside a steel jug on a wooden post with a soft green field behind

Does a water filter remove limescale?

Part of our filters and softeners guide The kettle still furs up and the jug has a white film inside. Is the filter doing anything about the scale, or only...

Does a water filter remove limescale?

Part of our filters and softeners guide The kettle still furs up and the jug has a white film inside. Is the filter doing anything about the scale, or only...

Close-up of a clear water drop landing in water, creating soft ripples in silver-grey tones

What does reverse osmosis remove from tap water?

The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) says reverse osmosis (RO) removes most dissolved solids, and DWI-commissioned laboratory tests found RO membranes typically removed over 90% of most PFAS. Removal varies by...

What does reverse osmosis remove from tap water?

The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) says reverse osmosis (RO) removes most dissolved solids, and DWI-commissioned laboratory tests found RO membranes typically removed over 90% of most PFAS. Removal varies by...

Glass jug of water with mint and lemon slices on a light wooden table

Do water filter jugs actually work?

For chlorine taste and some limescale, yes. The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) says activated carbon suits taste and odour, and resin jugs change only "temporary" hardness. Which? tested 10 jugs...

Do water filter jugs actually work?

For chlorine taste and some limescale, yes. The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) says activated carbon suits taste and odour, and resin jugs change only "temporary" hardness. Which? tested 10 jugs...

Clear water pouring into a glass with ice cubes on a pale white and blue background

How often should a water softener be serviced?

Follow your maker's manual and warranty. The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) gives no interval but advises considering a service agreement. Water Regs UK's leaflet for homes, citing British Standard BS...

How often should a water softener be serviced?

Follow your maker's manual and warranty. The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) gives no interval but advises considering a service agreement. Water Regs UK's leaflet for homes, citing British Standard BS...