What Is a Water Softener? Everything You Need to Know for a Spotless Home

Why should you care about installing a water softener? The benefits go way beyond just improving your water quality—they can completely transform your day-to-day life!

• Extended Appliance Lifespan: Think about all the money you’ve invested in your water heater, dishwasher, washing machine, and other appliances. Hard water causes mineral buildup inside these appliances, clogging their components and reducing efficiency over time. With a water softener, that buildup is reduced. Your appliances will run smoothly and last longer, saving you money on repairs and replacements in the long run.
• Cleaner, Softer Skin: If you’ve ever felt like your skin is dry, itchy, or irritated after showering, blame it on hard water. It leaves a residue that’s tough to rinse off and can strip your skin of moisture. Soft water? It’s the complete opposite. It leaves your skin feeling smooth, hydrated, and pampered—you might even feel like you just stepped out of a spa!
• Better Cleaning: Whether it’s dishes, laundry, or your own body, soft water makes cleaning easier and more effective. You’ll use less soap and detergent, and the results will be undeniable—sparkling dishes, softer fabrics, and a squeaky-clean feeling after every shower. Hard water leaves soap scum and streaks behind, but with soft water, your home and body will be spotless.
• Energy Savings: You know how hard water can clog your pipes and appliances? When they’re clogged like that, they need to work harder to do their jobs, which drives your energy bills up. Soft water eliminates that problem, letting your appliances run at peak efficiency, and saving you money on utility bills. It’s a win-win!

Common Issues Caused by Hard Water

Hard water isn’t just a minor inconvenience—it’s a corrosive force working behind the scenes, wearing down your pipes, and appliances, and affecting your laundry. 

These are the signs of hard water:

1. Clogged Pipes: Over time, the minerals in hard water will accumulate inside your pipes, shrinking the space for water to flow through. This buildup can lead to low water pressure or worse—full-blown clogs that require costly plumbing repairs.
2. Appliance Damage: Hard water is like a slow killer for your appliances. Every time your dishwasher or washing machine runs, hard water minerals create a layer of scale inside the machine, making it work harder and reducing its lifespan. So, unless you’re ready to repeatedly replace expensive appliances, a water softener can be a smart investment to protect your plumbing.
3. Visible Water Streaks: Ever tried to clean your dishes only to have them come out spotted, streaky, or covered in soap scum? That’s hard water at its worst. It interferes with soap’s ability to lather, leaving behind residue and stains. Soft water gives you gleaming results every time.
4. Dry Skin and Hair: Hard water strips moisture from your skin and hair, leaving them dry, brittle, and dull. It can worsen skin conditions like eczema, acne, dermatitis, and skin irritation. Soft water, on the other hand, nourishes your skin and hair, leaving them feeling hydrated and silky.

Types of Water Softeners

Now that you’re ready to rid your home of hard water, which water softener should you choose? Let’s break down the options:

1. Salt-Based Water Softeners

These are the classic, tried-and-true systems that most people are familiar with. They use sodium chloride (salt) to regenerate the resin beads that remove hard minerals from your water. If you're looking for a system that provides the full benefits of soft water, a salt-based softener is the clear choice.

Why Choose a Salt-Based Water Softener:

Pros:

• True Soft Water: It’s not just about preventing scale—salt-based softeners completely remove the hard minerals, giving you softer water for better cleaning, smoother skin, and shinier hair.
• Appliance Protection: By preventing scale buildup, you extend the lifespan of expensive appliances like water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines.
• Energy Efficiency: Softened water helps appliances run more efficiently, reducing your energy bills and improving the performance of household systems.

Cons:

• Requires regular salt refills and maintenance to keep the system operating.
• Adds a small amount of sodium to the water, which may concern those on low-sodium diets.
• Brine discharge during regeneration may be an environmental concern in certain regions.

2. Salt-Free Water Softeners

Salt-free water softeners don’t remove hard water minerals like calcium and magnesium; instead, they transform the minerals into stable, microscopic crystals that remain suspended in the water, reducing their ability to create scale buildup. This process is known as Template Assisted Crystallization (TAC). While this method doesn’t technically soften the water, it is an eco-friendly and low-maintenance solution for scale prevention.

Pros:

• No need for salt or frequent regeneration, making it low-maintenance.
• Environmentally friendly, as it produces no brine waste and retains beneficial minerals.
• Effective in preventing scale buildup in appliances and plumbing systems.

Cons:

• Less effective in homes with extremely hard water.
• Does not remove minerals, only prevents them from forming scale, meaning you won’t get the "soft water" feel like you would from a salt-based softener.

How to Choose the Right Water Softener for Your Home

Choosing the right water softener for your home is easier than you think. Here are the key factors to consider:

1. Water Hardness: Start by testing your water to determine how hard it is. You can use a home testing kit or check your local water quality report. The harder your water, the more robust your softener will need to be.
2. Household Water Usage: How much water your household uses determines how many grains per gallon the water softener needs to remove the minerals.
3. Budget: Salt-based water softener systems tend to be more affordable upfront but require recurring salt purchases. You can find water softener salt at your local home improvement store or most major retailers.
4. Installation and Maintenance: Some systems are easy to install yourself, while others may require professional installation. Be sure to factor in the maintenance required, like refilling salt or replacing filters.
5. Product Features: What are the product features of the water softener? There are softeners that have manual regeneration, some are automatic where you can schedule regeneration ahead of time. What is the tank made of and where will it best fit in your home? How easy is it to clean the brine tank, if there is one? Just to name a few things to consider.

What Is the Downside of a Water Softener?

While water softeners offer plenty of benefits, we’ll admit, they aren’t without their downsides. Here are a few things we ask everyone to consider:

• Cost: The initial purchase and installation of a water softener can be an investment, and there are ongoing costs like salt or potassium for regeneration. However, the savings in appliance longevity and lower energy bills can offset these expenses over time.
• Water Waste: During the regeneration cycle, salt-based water softeners can waste a bit of water. If you live in an area with water restrictions, like California during drought season, this might be something to keep in mind.
• Sodium in Water: Salt-based softeners add small amounts of sodium to your water. While it’s not a huge deal for most people, if you’re on a low-sodium diet, it might be worth considering a salt-free option or installing a reverse osmosis filter for drinking water.

Water Softener vs. Water Filter: What’s the Difference?

It’s easy to confuse water softeners and water filters, but they serve two different purposes. Here’s a brief breakdown:

• Water Softeners: These systems specifically target and remove calcium and magnesium from your water, which are the culprits behind water hardness. A water softener is perfect for preventing scale buildup and improving the longevity of your appliances.
• Water Filters: Filters that remove contaminants like chlorine, bacteria, and heavy metals. While they clean your water and improve its taste and safety, they don’t address water hardness. In many cases, it makes sense to have both—a water softener to handle hardness and a water filter to ensure your water is clean and safe to drink.

Can You Combine Both Water Softener and Water Filtration Systems?

Absolutely! Many homeowners install a water softener and a water filtration system for the best of both worlds—soft, clean water that’s safe to drink and gentle on appliances. Some advanced systems combine both functions into one convenient unit. Want to build your own water filtration bundle? See how here. 

Water Softener FAQs

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about water softeners:

Do I really need a water softener?
Nearly 85% of Americans nationwide have at least moderately hard water. There are a handful of states and cities that have soft water, but it’s far and few in between. You can check your area’s water hardness with a water test kit or local water report.

Can I drink softened water?
Yes, softened water is safe to drink, though it contains small amounts of sodium. If you’re concerned, consider installing a reverse osmosis system for your drinking water.

How long does water softener regeneration take?
Depending on the system, the regeneration cycle typically takes 90 minutes to 2 hours. Many water softeners include an auto-regeneration meter so you only need to take a few minutes to schedule and program, and voila! The water softener will regenerate on your schedule. Most schedule it for late night hours so you won’t have to worry about water while you’re washing dishes or showering.

Is a Water Softener Right for You?

If you’re tired of fighting hard water and the endless list of problems it causes, a water softener could be the perfect solution for your home. It’s more than just soft water—it’s about protecting your appliances, improving your skin and hair, and saving time and money in the long run. Ready to enjoy the benefits of soft water? Explore our range of Water Softeners to find the perfect fit for your home.