One can safely say that the purpose of a water softener is to soften water but not a lot of people are aware of what it means and why it can be beneficial to their health and home. You will find hard water and soft water in your home. But soft water is more preferable as it has a very moderate level of magnesium and calcium level. When water is called hard, it means it has a high amount of magnesium and calcium component.
A lot of times hard water will become soft when boiled but it will also depend on the hardness of the water. Instead, it is ideal to use a water softener to soften the water. It is a highly useful appliance that reduces the level of magnesium and calcium in the water through a substance known as resin. It is covered with charged sodium ions and whenever water flows through it, the resin will exchange the ions with the magnesium and calcium ions to soften the water.
Having a water softener at home can make a lot of difference to your health and many people use it without being aware of its benefits. Let’s take a deeper look at them.
- It will reduce the damage to kitchen utensils
Your kitchen utensils are highly susceptible to hard water because they are in maximum contact with water. When you use hard water on items like kettles, cooking pots, teapots, and pans, they could develop etching and dullness. It can also damage the interior of the pots and kettles when you boil hard water in them. You may have seen a build-up of white spots on the utensils, it could leave an odd taste due to the magnesium and calcium elements left behind from the water. Using a softener will leave the utensils looking new and fresh for a long time.
- Keeps skin smooth
There is a difference between bathing with soft water and hard water. When you bathe with soft water and hard water in combination using shampoo or soap, it could develop soap scum on the body and will make your skin feel sticky. Even if you rinse, it will not go away. The film will remain and clog the pores which can cause bacteria to grow and ultimately lead to skin irritation, rash development, and itchy skin. When you use hard water on the skin, it can also cause acne. You must always wash your face with soft water if you have acne troubles.
- Increases sodium intake
Sodium is a vital mineral that you should consume regularly and water softeners can contribute to sodium intake. If you drink beverages that have been processed through a water softener, it will help increase the intake. However, this increase is not a large one and if you are looking to increase sodium consumption, do it through foods.
- Reduces faucet and pipe damage
We often see pipes and faucets that are clogged when hard water flows through them. In many cases, they could be clogged up so badly that minor repairs need to be done to get them working. If the pipe and faucet are damaged or clogged, you will see a lower water pressure. Even valves and shower heads are affected by hard water. They could become clogged up and can drip hard water into the bathtubs and sinks, damaging them too. Using a water softener will reduce the buildup in faucets and pipes so you do not have to clean them often.
- Reduce the monthly energy costs
People often think that water softeners cost a lot throughout the year and avoid buying them. But this is a huge misconception. The cost of using a water softener in a year is the same as the cost of using an alarm clock. Again, if you are thinking about how long do water softeners last, remain rest assured that you will not have to replace it for a long time to come. Additionally, it will reduce the monthly energy costs. Since there is no hard water buildup in the pipes and appliances, the water heaters will not have to work more on it. You can find value for money and ensure several long-term benefits.
Softeners also allow water appliances to last longer. There are times when mineral buildup can cause the appliances to work harder and call for a replacement sooner than you planned to. But if you have a water softener, you will not have to worry about the damage to the other water appliances. Besides the health benefits, the appliance has several benefits in terms of cost-saving and energy-saving. It helps to compare the different models and consider your needs when buying a water softener for your home.
