A water softener filters hard water to eliminate positively charged mineral ions. The result is a range of daily and long-term benefits.
As the water moves through your home, it picks up calcium carbonate and magnesium particles that carry a positive charge. These particles cling to the resin beads inside the water softener tank through ion exchange.
Better Taste and Smell
Those living in areas with hard water often notice that their water has a distinctly salty taste. That is because the calcium and magnesium in the water are replaced by sodium during the softening process. Some people worry that this means consuming too much sodium, which is usually not a problem. However, those who follow low-sodium diets may want to separate their drinking water from the softening system so they don’t drink too much of the mineral-rich solution.
Using your New Braunfels water softener will only add a small amount of sodium to the tap water that comes out of the taps in your home. Most people don’t notice it, so it is not a problem. Seeing that the water tastes salty could be a sign that the resin in your softener is wearing out. In this case, it must be recharged with a brine solution.
The resin in your softener has a negative electric charge, which attracts the positive charges of the calcium and magnesium in your hard water. It swaps them for the positively charged sodium ions used to recharge the resin in your water softener.
Then, when you use your shower, dishwasher, washing machine, and other household appliances that run with water, the sodium ions will replace the minerals in the water, and the complex water problems that come with them will also disappear.
In addition to the fact that your clothes will look better and last longer when you wash them in soft water, many people find that their hair and skin are more delicate and healthier after using a water softener. It is because hard water minerals stay on skin and hair, causing dryness and brittleness. On the other hand, the softened water washes away all of the excess minerals clinging to them.
Another advantage to having a water softener is how it improves your tea and coffee. The lack of calcium and other minerals in your water will make your tea and coffee taste much better. It will also help reduce the grit in your cup and your plate.
Better Health
Water softeners help protect your health by reducing the contaminants found in hard water. Hard water can leave traces of calcium and magnesium behind on surfaces and in the pipes. These toxins can create mold and mildew, potentially leading to infections if left unattended. A water softener reduces this risk and makes your home much healthier.
Another way a water softener can benefit your health is by helping to prevent skin and hair problems. Hard water can leave traces of magnesium and calcium on your skin and scalp, which can cause itching and dryness. When you use a water softener, your body can eliminate these minerals without leaving any trace on your skin or scalp. It can lead to less itchy and flaky skin and smoother, more vibrant hair.
One concern some people have about using a water softener is that it adds sodium to their drinking water; the softening process exchanges the dissolved calcium and magnesium with sodium (salt). A water softener typically adds about 7.5 milligrams of sodium per quart of treated water, which can be problematic for those on a reduced sodium diet.
If you have a water softener in your home, your family will be able to enjoy the benefits of clean, healthy, great-tasting water without the adverse side effects that come with hard water. Having fresh, clean-tasting water will make drinking more of the recommended daily fluids easier.
Using a water softener can also save you considerable money in the long run. Hard water can clog and damage your house’s plumbing system, causing expensive repair bills. A water softener can prevent this problem and help your appliances, like your water heater, last longer.
It can also save you time and money spent scrubbing away hard water buildup like soap scum and curd in your bathtubs, sinks, and showers. Water softeners can fully dissolve and penetrate soap, preventing insoluble soap scum and curd from building up.
Cleaner Appliances
Water softeners eliminate calcium and magnesium minerals from water, thereby preventing the formation of hard water deposits. These deposits cause various issues, from dry, itchy skin to dull or streaked dishes and clothing. In addition, they can also reduce the lifespan of your appliances.
Over time, hard mineral deposits can damage pipes and fixtures and even corrode appliances. Installing a water softener at home can prevent appliance damage and save money on repairs and replacements.
A water softener can also reduce the detergent, fabric softener, and soap used in washing machines, dishwashers, and showers. That is because these products are better able to work with soft water. A water softener can prevent rust and scale buildup in pipes and water heaters, extending their lifespan.
Many people are concerned about the amount of sodium added to their water by a salt-based water softener. However, the average water softener adds about 50 milligrams of sodium per liter, less than one percent of your recommended daily allowance.
Several salt-free water softeners are also available if you are looking for a greener alternative. These systems use polyphosphates to condition the water so that minerals cannot stick to surfaces and create deposits. These systems are typically more cost-effective than a traditional salt-based system and can be installed in homes with minimal plumbing changes.
Most water softeners also have innovative features that make managing your system easy.
If you’re tired of dealing with the problems caused by hard water, a water softener can improve your lifestyle.
Save Money
When you have a water softener, you can get fresh and clean water right from your tap without paying the high price of buying bottled water. It also helps you save on other high-cost items like dishwasher soaps and detergents, cleaning products, clothing, energy bills, and appliance repairs or replacements.
A water softener removes calcium and magnesium minerals that cause hard water, making your home’s drinking and bathing water softer and less costly. These minerals can clog pipes and reduce the efficiency of appliances that use your water, including heaters, hot tubs, washing machines, kitchen faucets, and shower heads. The buildup can also make your hair and skin dry and itchy.
Using a water softener prevents these problems. Soap dissolves better in soft water, so you don’t have that ring of soap scum around your sink or bathtub. And you can use up to 50% less soap, saving money on this common household item.
Softened water is more accessible on your clothes and linens as well. Those unsightly water spots are removed by removing the hard minerals from your household water, and your laundry will look brighter and last longer. Soap curd doesn’t cake up as quickly in softened water, so your towels and clothing will stay fluffy, smooth, and softer.
Water softening systems are not expensive, and the initial investment is quickly offset by the savings you’ll find in your everyday life. Water softeners are more efficient than traditional water heaters, helping you save money on energy bills and avoid expensive water heating repair and replacement costs.
With these four key benefits, it’s no wonder that more and more households are choosing to install a water softener in their homes.
