We all know how important hydration is, but what if the quality of the water you’re drinking every day could be quietly affecting our health?
One of the easiest and most powerful low-tox swaps? Drinking filtered water. This one simple change can significantly support your body and is an important step in creating a low-tox lifestyle. At Natural Home and Body, we’re passionate about reducing the toxic load in everyday routines, and one of the most powerful (yet often overlooked) changes you can make is to filter your water.
Let’s explore why this small shift can have a big impact on your health and wellbeing.
What’s Really in Tap Water?
While Australian tap water is treated to meet health and safety regulations, it doesn’t mean it’s completely free from contaminants. In fact, many everyday chemicals and compounds still make their way into our water systems, and ultimately into our bodies. Here are a few common ones:
- Chlorine: Used to disinfect water, chlorine is effective at killing bacteria, but it can also irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs. It may also negatively affect the delicate balance of your gut microbiome.
- Fluoride: Added to most Australian water supplies to support dental health. However, growing concerns exist about the effects of excess fluoride, particularly for children and those with thyroid issues.
- Heavy Metals: Old plumbing infrastructure can leach metals like lead, copper, or aluminium into your water. Even at low levels, these can accumulate in the body over time and contribute to long-term health issues.
- Microplastics: Tiny plastic particles have now been detected in both bottled and tap water worldwide. While research is ongoing, their presence is raising red flags for human health and hormone disruption. We are overexposed to microplastics in today's society, so the simple swap to filtered water, can help reduce excess build up within the body.
- Pesticides and Pharmaceuticals: Runoff from agriculture and improper disposal of medication means trace levels of these substances can also end up in our drinking water.
Even though many of these contaminants appear in very small amounts, they can build up in the body over time, quietly contributing to your overall toxic burden. If you’re working toward a low-tox lifestyle, filtering your water is one of the simplest and most effective steps you can take.
Why Filtered Water Matters More Than You Think
Your body is made up of around 60% water, and every single system in your body depends on it. From digestion and circulation to energy levels and mental clarity, staying hydrated is essential. But what you hydrate with matters just as much. Switching to filtered water is a simple step that makes a big difference. Here’s why:
- Cleaner hydration: Filtering your water removes common contaminants like chlorine, heavy metals, and microplastics. This means you’re not just drinking water, you’re drinking clean water that supports your body’s natural processes.
- Fewer synthetic chemicals in your body: Your liver, kidneys, and skin work hard every day to filter out toxins. Why make them work harder? Filtered water helps reduce your exposure to environmental chemicals and lightens the load on your detox systems.
- Better taste: No one loves the chemical taste of chlorine in their glass. Filtered water tastes fresher, smoother, and more natural, which makes it easier to stay hydrated throughout the day. Once you stop drinking tap water, you'll soon notice the difference in taste that you've been used to all this time when you try tap water again.
- Peace of mind for the whole family: Whether it’s for your morning coffee, your kids’ water bottles, or cooking dinner, filtered water gives you confidence that you’re doing something good for your health, day after day.
Filtering Your Water Supports Mineral Balance
Here’s something most people don’t realise, fluoride and chlorine can interfere with your body’s ability to absorb magnesium. Magnesium is essential for over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, supporting everything from sleep and stress relief to muscle function and heart health. That’s one of the reasons our Magnesium Collection is so popular, it helps restore what modern living depletes. So when you switch to filtered water, you’re not only removing harmful substances, you’re supporting your body’s ability to absorb the good stuff too.
Choosing the Right Water Filter
You don’t need to spend thousands to start filtering the water in your home. There are plenty of affordable and effective filter options depending on your needs and lifestyle:
- Jug filters: Great for small households or first steps (this is how I started, and what I currently use)
- Bench-top: Long-lasting and eco-friendly, generally made from glass
- Under-sink systems: For long-term convenience
- Whole-home filters: Ideal for families or sensitive skin
Even a basic filter is better than none, it’s about progress not perfection. When we decided to start filtering our water at home, we choose to filter our water using Earths Water. Earths Water is a trusted Australian brand dedicated to providing clean, great-tasting water for their community. Their natural alkaline water system uses a proprietary COREtech™ filter technology (exclusive to Earths Water) to remove up to 98% of contaminants, while also increasing pH levels, minerals and antioxidants within the water.
We love that their products are family friendly, BPA-free, and thoughtfully made to support both our health and the planet. Choosing Earth’s Water has been one of the easiest and most impactful low-tox swaps for our family, and it’s one we recommend to anyone wanting to prioritise wellness from the inside out.
Filtering Water For Consumption Doesn't Stop There
While many of us focus on filtering our drinking water, it’s just as important to consider the quality of the water we bathe in. Our skin is our largest organ and absorbs substances it comes into contact with, including chlorine, heavy metals, and other chemicals commonly found in tap water. Chlorine, in particular, can strip the skin and hair of natural oils, leading to dryness, irritation, and even exacerbating conditions like eczema. Earths Water shower filters turn normal tap water into clean and mineralised water which greatly increases your skin and hair hydration.
Final Thoughts
Filtered water is one of the most accessible and effective ways to reduce your daily exposure to toxins. It’s a simple change that supports your body, your energy, your skin, and your peace of mind. At Natural Home and Body, we believe that low-tox living doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It starts with small, conscious choices, like the water you drink, the products you use, and the rituals you build around your wellbeing.
Want More Natural Living Tips?
Join our Facebook Group, The Low Tox Living Collective to learn more about creating a low-tox home. Each week, we share helpful tips, education, and wellness reminders in a warm and supportive space.