Do You Really Need To Filter Your Bathwater?
Key takeaways
- Author: Braelyn Wood June 28, 2026mbg Deputy Commerce Editor By Braelyn Woodmbg Deputy Commerce Editor Braelyn Wood is the Deputy Commerce Editor at mindbodygreen.
- While I'm lucky not to have hard water in NYC—tap water with high levels of calcium and magnesium that can strip the skin—it's still treated with harsh disinfectants like chlorine.
- What's more, nearly half of U.S. tap water has PFAs or "forever chemicals"1 in it, which have been linked to increased risk of cancer, altered metabolism, and a reduced immune system.
Why this matters: practical guidance grounded in recent research or expert insight.
Author: Braelyn Wood June 28, 2026mbg Deputy Commerce Editor By Braelyn Woodmbg Deputy Commerce Editor Braelyn Wood is the Deputy Commerce Editor at mindbodygreen. She has a B.S. in journalism from Northwestern University, along with a certificate in marketing.Image by mbg creative June 28, 2026We carefully vet all products and services featured on mindbodygreen using our commerce guidelines. Our selections are never influenced by the commissions earned from our links.Not everyone is a bather, but I can't resist the appeal of a warm, soothing soak. Since the moment I could sign my own lease, a bathtub has been a requirement for my space. But last year, I halted my beloved baths after learning about the contaminants hiding in my bathwater.
While I'm lucky not to have hard water in NYC—tap water with high levels of calcium and magnesium that can strip the skin—it's still treated with harsh disinfectants like chlorine. I also live in a building from the 1940s that likely still has lead soldering in the piping, exposing me to heavy metals.
What's more, nearly half of U.S. tap water has PFAs or "forever chemicals"1 in it, which have been linked to increased risk of cancer, altered metabolism, and a reduced immune system. Needless to say, bathing was out—until Canopy announced its newest product: the Canopy Bath Tub Filter.