How Can I Tell My Shower Water Has Chlorine?

When we think of chlorine, swimming pools often come to mind. But just as the chemical keeps pool water clean, it’s often used elsewhere for the same purpose—potentially, right in your home.

So, is there chlorine in the tap water flowing through your pipes? If your water comes from a municipality, chances are the utilities add the disinfectant to eliminate germs that could cause illness. While it’s safe for most people at minimal levels, it’s still important to understand its potential impacts on your overall wellness, and even the plumbing and appliances in your home¹.

How Do I Know I Have Excess Chlorine?

Municipalities should test water regularly to ensure chlorine levels don’t exceed four milligrams per liter, the threshold considered safe for consumption. But is there chlorine in shower water that could affect your wellness, too? Although elevated levels could be detected in any home plumbing fixture, the issue might be most noticeable in your shower for the following reasons².

Chemical Odor

Tap water should be odorless, but overly chlorinated water will have a distinct chemical smell. You might notice a scent of bleach or pool water, which can be especially strong during a hot shower³.

Dry or Irritated Skin

Chlorine has a drying effect because it removes natural oils from your skin’s surface. In addition to flaky or itchy skin, heavily chlorinated water could leave residue behind, which may clog pores and lead to breakouts. Moreover, it may also contribute to skin dryness and sensitivity over time.

Brittle Hair and Nails

Like your skin, chlorine can also strip natural oils from your hair, leaving it dull, dry, and brittle. You might also notice a change in its color or tone, especially if you have light-colored or dyed hair. The chemical can also dry out your nails, making them more prone to breaking⁴.

Discolored Fixtures

Brown or reddish spots in your tub, sinks, and other plumbing fixtures could indicate higher-than-usual levels of chlorine. Since chlorine has an oxidizing effect, it turns the iron in tap water to rust, leaving telltale discoloration behind².

While these challenges can be frustrating, they can also stem from other sources, including hard water. To be certain that chlorine is the culprit, you can test for the chemical right at home.

What to Know About Testing for Chlorine

If you’re experiencing any of the signs of excess chlorine in your water, pick up a water quality test kit from your local hardware store. DIY test kits typically include chemicals you can combine with a tap water sample to reveal what’s present in your water based on a provided color chart.

There are also chlorine testing tablets and strips that allow you to test for chlorine specifically³.

For the most accurate results, consider a professional test. You can ask for a report from your municipality or reach out to a water filtration expert to have a test performed at your home.

Reducing Chlorine in the Bathroom

Does your shower water have chlorine at elevated levels? If so, you can start addressing the root issue to prevent the chemical’s irritating effects on your hair, skin, and nails, while also preserving the appearance of your bathroom fixtures.

These simple bathroom swaps are perfect for cutting the chlorine without the hassle.

Showerhead Filter

If you’re dealing with excess chlorine, shower filters are the perfect solution for preserving smooth hair, skin, and nails. The Canopy Filtered Showerhead uses a tri-media filter* that includes granular activated carbon to trap contaminants like chlorine, allowing you to enjoy healthy, hydrated skin with every shower**.

* - Tested to ANSI/NSF 177 Standard

** - Based on an external Consumer Perception Study of 47 participants, after 30 days. Results may vary.

In addition to our standard model, we also have a convenient Handheld Filtered Showerhead, an ultra-flexible option that’s especially helpful for babies and toddlers. Our Mini Filtered Showerhead puts the powerful filtration and easy installation you love in our original showerheads in a compact model made for small bathrooms.

Every Canopy showerhead model comes in a range of finishes to match your existing plumbing fixtures for a quick and easy upgrade that offers major results.

Tub Filter

Whether you enjoy a relaxing soak yourself or you’re navigating bath time with little ones, having cleaner tap water is important in the tub, too. This is especially true for babies’ sensitive skin.

Our easy-to-install Bath Tub Filter combines activated carbon with calcium sulfite and copper-zinc to trap chlorine and other impurities for skin-friendly water*. For soothing, baby-friendly aromatherapy, our Baby Bath Tub Filter comes with a bottle of our Calm fragrance from the Little Dreams collection**. Both models offer a temperature indicator for your peace of mind.

* - Tested to ANSI/NSF 177 Standard

** - Canopy applies commonly accepted clean standards for our aroma products which means they are made without parabens, phthalates, sulfates, mineral oils, or synthetic dyes. Canopy aroma products may contain both natural and synthetic substances, and are vegan, cruelty-free, and formulated with pure essential oils.

Faucet Filter

From hand- and face-washing to shaving, happier skin starts with reduced chlorine levels at the faucet. Like our shower and tub filters, the Canopy Faucet Filter uses micro mesh and activated carbon filtration to trap contaminants large and small.

Canopy makes it easy to enjoy cleaner, more refreshing baths and showers, plus hair and skin that look and feel healthier. Explore our full range of water filtration bundles to save on your perfect bathroom setup. Remember to sign up for a filter replacement subscription for even more savings.

Sources:

1. (14 February 2024). About Water Disinfection with Chlorine and Chloramine. CDC. Retrieved April 29, 2026, from https://www.cdc.gov/drinking-water/about/about-water-disinfection-with-chlorine-and-chloramine.html
2. Eastman, M. (6 April 2026). Don’t Ignore These Symptoms of Too Much Chlorine in Your Water. Angi. Retrieved April 29, 2026, from https://www.angi.com/articles/chorine-your-water-supply-causes-problems.htm
3. (July 2022). Chlorination in City Water: Important Information You Should Know. Homewater. Retrieved April 29, 2026, from https://www.homewater.com/blog/chlorination-in-city-water-important-information
4. Effects of Chlorine and Hard Water on Skin: Top Skin Problems and Solutions. Clean Water Store. Retrieved April 29, 2026, from https://www.cleanwaterstore.com/blog/effects-chlorine-hard-water-skin/
5. (17 June 2024). Does Pool Water Affect Your Skin and Hair? Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved April 29, 2026, from https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2024/06/17/does-pool-water-affect-your-skin-and-hair