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Chlorine. Chloramine. What’s the difference? Which one do you have? Which shower filter actually removes it?
We’re Zooshen — we make shower filters. What we’ll tell you is the honest version: they’re different chemicals, and different media work on each.
The Quick Answer
| Question | Honest Answer |
|---|---|
| What’s the difference? | Chlorine = free chlorine. Chloramine = chlorine + ammonia. |
| Which do you have? | Depends on your city. Some use chlorine, some use chloramine. |
| Which media removes chlorine? | KDF-55 + carbon. |
| Which media removes chloramine? | Vitamin C (ascorbic acid). |
| How to tell which you have? | Call your water utility. They’ll tell you. |
Chlorine vs Chloramine: What’s the Difference?
Chlorine (Free Chlorine):
- Used by most cities
- Cheaper to use
- Evaporates faster
- Easier to filter
Chloramine (Combined Chlorine):
- Used by larger cities (NYC, LA, Chicago, etc.)
- More stable (stays in the water longer)
- Harder to filter
- KDF-55 doesn’t work on it
That’s the key difference. If you have chloramine, you need vitamin C media.
The Science: Which Media Works on What
KDF-55 + Carbon:
- Removes free chlorine (via redox reaction)
- Removes heavy metals (lead, mercury, etc.)
- Removes VOCs (via activated carbon)
- Does NOT remove chloramine
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid):
- Removes both chlorine and chloramine (via chemical neutralization)
- Gentle on skin and hair
- Good for color-treated hair
- Doesn’t last as long as KDF
Best Options for Chlorine & Chloramine
Side-by-Side Comparison (All 5 Brands)
| Feature | Zooshen | AquaBliss | Sprite | Jolie | Filterbaby |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.99 | $34.99 | $54.99 | $99.99 | $69.99 |
| Media | KDF-55 + Carbon | Multi-stage | KDF + Sulfite | Vitamin C + Charcoal | Vitamin C + Carbon |
| Removes Chlorine | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Removes Chloramine | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| NSF Certified | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
Want deeper comparisons? Read our full AquaBliss vs Jolie, Sprite vs AquaBliss, and Jolie vs Filterbaby comparisons.
How to Tell Which You Have
- Call your water utility — they’ll tell you what disinfectant they use
- Check their website — most cities publish water quality reports
- Smell test — chlorine smells like a swimming pool. Chloramine smells less.
- Ask on a local forum — your neighbors probably know
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have chlorine or chloramine?
Call your water utility. They’ll tell you. Most smaller cities use chlorine. Larger cities often use chloramine.
What if I’m not sure?
Get vitamin C media. It removes both.
Does KDF-55 work on chloramine?
No. KDF-55 removes free chlorine, but not chloramine.
Does vitamin C remove free chlorine too?
Yes. Vitamin C removes both chlorine and chloramine.
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The Bottom Line
If you have free chlorine, KDF-55 + carbon works great. If you have chloramine, you need vitamin C media. When in doubt, get vitamin C — it removes both.
Want to learn more?
– Not sure which media you need? Read our how to choose a shower filter guide.
– What is KDF-55? Check out what is KDF-55 media.
– What is vitamin C? Read what is vitamin C shower filter.
– What is chlorine? Read what is chlorine in shower water.
– Comparing brands? Read Jolie vs Filterbaby.
About the Author
Zooshen Water Quality Team — Zooshen is a shower filter brand focused on KDF-55 media, NSF/ANSI 177 certification, and tool-free installation. We make shower filters that actually work, and we’re honest about what they do and don’t do.
We’re a brand, not an independent review site. We sell shower filters. But we also believe in telling you the truth — even when it means recommending something else.
Last updated: September 22, 2026.