Hard water causes innumerable problems. It leads to scale build-ups in plumbing systems and appliances, causes dry hair and skin, speeds up fading in clothes, and leads to spiking water bills due to excessive usage, among many other problems. You don't want these issues in your home. Fortunately, you can avoid them using one of the most effective solutions: water softeners. This article introduces you to water softeners and why you need them.
What Are Water Softeners?
Water softeners are filtration systems you install in your home to reduce minerals like magnesium and calcium that cause hardness in the water. These systems execute that particular function using a process known as ion exchange. In a nutshell, ion exchange involves removing contaminants and minerals from water by exchanging objectionable ions like magnesium and calcium with sodium or potassium ions.
Why Should You Use a Water Softener?
Hard water impacts your body and properties in many undesirable ways. By using a water softener, you enjoy the following benefits.
1. Soft skin and lustrous hair
Hard water contains minerals that cause soap residue to build up on your skin. The residue clogs your pores and causes acne. Plus, since hard water strips your skin of its natural moisture, it leaves you feeling dry. Water softeners remove these minerals and consequently help your skin hold moisture and feel softer. Plus, hard water makes your hair frizzy, brittle, and dry. You can avoid this problem by washing with soft water, which balances the pH level of your hair and leaves it looking healthy and lustrous.
2. Drinking water with a better taste
Some people despise the chalky, chemical taste associated with hard water. This taste comes from high mineral concentrations. When you use a water softener to remove these minerals, the earthy taste of chalk disappears. The neutral flavor of soft water is why many people enjoy it despite having different preferences and tastes for other beverages.
3. Avoid scale build-ups in pipes and appliances
Minerals tend to accumulate and build up in your pipes and appliances over time as hard water passes through them. Eventually, these build-ups lead to clogged pipes, which demand costly maintenance. If your home's water source provides hard water, it's advisable to use a water softener before minerals wreak havoc in your plumbing system. Besides, soft water optimizes the efficiency of appliances like dishwashers since it doesn't support scale build-up.
4. Cleaner, softer clothes
The minerals in hard water cause stains and fading in clothes. That is a big problem that significantly affects white garments by making them appear dingy. A water softener is indispensable in maintaining your clothes' fresh and bright look and feel. That is because soft water cleans clothes more effectively, leaves no mineral deposits, and helps you prevent bleeding colors.