8 Water Softener Myths And The Real Truth

Water softeners have many benefits, which makes them a very popular choice in a lot of households, especially for bathing and cleaning.

Many American homes already have a water softener system. These systems are especially important in areas that suffer from extremely hard water.

However, people believe in a lot of water softener myths. 

In this article, we are going to go through the 8 most common water softener myths and whether you should believe them or not. 

Myth 1: Water Softeners Will Put Salt Into Your Water

Some people believe that salt goes directly into your tap water because water softener systems use salt. However, the water you drink after installing a water softener system isn’t actually salt water. 

Water softener salt is used in the system, but you shouldn’t taste any salt from your taps. The system uses salt so that the sodium ions from the salt will remove the hardness ions, like calcium and magnesium, from the hard water.

Thus, the resin beads in the tank use the salt, but no salt is really added to your water. 

Myth 2: The Amount Of Sodium Added To Your Water Is Unhealthy

The amount of salt and sodium that your water softening system adds to your water will vary depending on how hard your water supply is.

Generally, the amount of sodium added is very small and won’t have any real impact on your health. 

With that being said, not everyone enjoys the flavor of soft water. However, hard water can cause issues around your home.

Hard water causes mineral build-up, which negatively affects your appliances and plumbing. Therefore, if you don’t like the taste of softened water, there is something you can do. 

You can separate a cold water tap from the water softening system. Use this hard water tap for cooking and drinking.

The remaining taps will give you clean soft water, which is ideal for laundry, bathing, and cleaning. Or you could install a reverse osmosis system for soft water with a great taste straight from your tap. 

Myth 3: Water Softeners Will Purify Your Water

A water softener reduces how hard your water is. It does this by removing unwanted and hard minerals and ions.

Water softening systems don’t filter out every mineral or contaminant in your water, they only target hard ions such as calcium and magnesium. 

A reverse osmosis system purifies your home’s water and may be a better option if you are worried about the extra sodium or sulfur. While softeners will remove some impurities, they don’t remove everything. 

Myth 4: Water Softeners Will Remove Healthy Minerals

As mentioned, water softeners remove specific minerals. However, some people think that the softeners remove all minerals.

Magnesium and calcium can have positive health benefits, and these are removed by the water softener. 

However, the magnesium and calcium found in hard water don’t have the same benefits as the same minerals you get from food because the concentration is too low to provide significant benefits.

Drinking hard water won’t give you as many benefits as eating a balanced and healthy diet. 

Myth 5: Soft Water Will Leave A Film On Your Skin

When you first bathe with softened water, you may notice that your skin feels different. Some people have claimed that their skin feels slimy or slick.

This is not a film that is left behind due to the water, and it isn’t any unwashed soap. 

When you bathe in hard water, it leaves a film of soap residue on your skin. You may think that this means you are clean, however, it means the opposite.

When you wash with soft water, the slick feeling on your skin is your body’s natural oils.

This is how your body is supposed to feel, as you are rinsed clean. There shouldn’t be any soap residue on your skin if you are clean. 

Myth 6: Using A Water Softener Will Waste Energy And Water

During the regeneration cycle, some water softener systems will waste salt and water. However, this depends on the system that you use. Newer models are much more energy efficient. 

These newer models will help you save energy and money on your energy bill. They learn your household’s water requirements and only use the required amount of salt and water.

In addition, there are also ways that your home filtration system can help protect the environment. 

Soft water is much better for cleaning, so you need less detergent or chemical cleaning products. By using fewer chemicals in your water, you reduce your water pollution.

If you have a reverse osmosis system, you can reduce the number of plastic bottles you buy for water. 

Myth 7: Water Softening Systems Are Really Expensive

Installing a water softening system is a big investment, but will ultimately save you money. 

Water softeners will cost you in electricity use, and you will have to buy salt for the brine tank. You will also have to get the system serviced annually. Yet even with these expenses, your system will save you money in other areas. 

One of the biggest savings your water softener provides is from your water heater because water heaters run much more efficiently when using soft water.

Hard water causes your water heater to work harder and at higher temperatures. Therefore, your water softener will lower your utility bills and extend the life of other appliances as they require less maintenance and repair. 

A water softener also keeps your appliances working for longer because limescale build-up is reduced. Also, you will use less detergent to wash your clothes and the color will fade less. 

Myth 8: Water Softeners Aren’t Necessary For City Water

You will often find a water softener system used in homes that use a private well and groundwater. This water needs to be softened.

Every city has a different quality of water, but over 80% of all homes in America have hard water. Thus, even if you live in a city, you may need a water softener system. 

Conclusion 

Water softeners are popular appliances in American homes, yet there are many myths surrounding them.

If you aren’t happy with the effects your hard water has on cleaning, bathing, or drinking, then a water softener may be the solution. 

In this article, we have dispelled the 8 most common myths surrounding water softeners and discovered the truth. Now you can make a more informed decision about your own water softener needs.