The Best Water Softeners of 2020
A water softener removes hard water minerals like magnesium and calcium from the water. If you're looking for a water softener, this guide is the place to start.
Any search for the best water softeners of 2020 needs to start with information. A water softener that’s perfect for one home or family may not be sufficient for another. Before making a decision, you need to know whether or not you have hard water, how hard it is, how much water you use, and the difference between different types of water softeners.
This article will walk you through each step to help you determine the best water softeners of 2020 that will fulfill your exact needs.
What is Hard Water?
An estimated 85 percent of all homes in the United States have “hard” tap water that is high in mineral content. Hard water is created when water percolates through aquifers in the ground and leaches minerals from limestone, chalk or gypsum deposits. The most common minerals in hard water are magnesium carbonates, bicarbonates, and calcium. Though some evidence suggests that drinking water with high mineral content can actually be beneficial to your health, hard water can damage appliances, clog pipes, and even ruin clothing.
Problems Caused by Hard Water
Though you may not realize it, hard water could be taking a chunk out of your paycheck every month. It's estimated that hard water expenses average $800 or more every year for the typical family. These impacts are felt in a variety of areas, including:
- In the Kitchen and Bathroom
The metal ions in hard water limit the effectiveness of soap. Soap will not lather as much as it should when used with hard water and is much harder to rinse away. This can leave residue and rings on floors and countertops, bathtubs and showers, glasses, and dishes. Hard water buildup can also damage ceramic tile without periodic heavy cleaning.
- In Pipes
Limescale, another name for the deposits left by hard water, occurs over time in pipes that transport hard water, resulting in pipe damage, leaks, funky odors, and plumbing that requires frequent maintenance. Hard water also results in slower water flow over time. In just 18 months, showerheads using hard water can lose 75 percent of their flow rate.
- In Appliances
In industrial and commercial settings, water hardness is monitored carefully to protect costly breakdowns to critical equipment.
But it can also cause problems with domestic appliances and equipment. One of the biggest problems caused by hard water is strain and damage to expensive household appliances like water heaters. A water heater using hard water may lose half of its efficiency over a 15-year span. A heater using softened water is likely to retain its original efficiency rating over the same timespan.
The same loss of efficiency can be expected for expensive appliances like dishwashers as well as everyday tools like espresso machines, coffee makers, and irons.
- Clothing
The ions in hard water that render soap less effective have the same effect on laundry detergent. The mineral deposits left behind can cause soiling to build up on clothes, meaning it’s harder and harder to get them clean the more you wear them. Laundry washed in hard water also loses its brightness and becomes stiff and brittle. Clothing washed in hard water wears out 15 percent faster than clothing washed in soft water, according to a study done at Purdue University.
Many people that wash with hard water end up using more detergent than should be necessary and hotter water, which causes additional expenses.
- Skin and Hair
Another area where hard water can have an impact is your skin and your hair. Because hard water cannot properly dissolve soaps and shampoos, cleaning products stay on the skin and hair and draw out the body’s natural oils. The result is skin that is dry, itchy, flaky and irritated and hair that is brittle and flat. Hard water can also cause acne by clogging the pores with dry skin cells.
In areas with dry climates, hard water can cause dermatitis, a catch-all term for skin redness and irritation that can develop into a painful rash and even lead to infection. Hard water can also worsen symptoms of chronic skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis and render treatments for these conditions ineffective.
Do You Have Hard Water?
Though roughly 85 percent of all homes in the United States have hard water, the level of hardness varies from place to place. Your water can be hard but not so hard that your appliances and pipes are in any danger. More than anything else, the level of water hardness depends on where you live.
Where does hard water come from? From the distant past, in fact. Millions of years ago, most of the United States was submerged by a shallow sea. When the water receded, it left huge deposits of limestone that has been slowly dissolving into the groundwater ever since. The greatest concentrations of hard water occur in the Midwest and the West.
States that have moderately hard water include Missouri, Tennessee, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and North Dakota. States with very hard water include Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Nevada, Montana, and Idaho.
The cities with the hardest water in the United States are Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Phoenix, San Antonio, and Tampa.
The only way to be certain whether or not you have hard water is by testing. One of the most popular options is the JNW Direct Water Total Hardness Test Strips. With 150-strips included in each pack, you will be able to test your water now to see if you need a water softener, test your current water softener to see if it’s doing a good job and test your reverse osmosis systems and water filters to see if they need to be replaced.
If your water’s hardness is greater than 7 grains per gallon or 120 mg/L, then you might need a water softener to ensure your appliances run well and to improve the taste, smell, or look of your water.
Salt-Based vs. Salt-Free
In your search for the best water softeners of 2020, you are likely to come across salt-based systems and salt-free water softener systems. Here's how these two technologies differ.
- Salt-Based Water Softeners
Salt-based systems are true water softeners. They literally remove the minerals that make water hard, like calcium and magnesium, through a process called ion exchange whereby hard water is run through a polymer resin bed that exchanges hard water particles for sodium particles.
Though it’s understandable to be concerned about the presence of salt in softened water, keep in mind that the amount is very small. Ion exchange water softeners become more and more advanced every year. The amount of sodium left in the water by most salt-based softener systems for moderately hard water is just 86 parts per million or five grains per gallon. That’s just 37 milligrams of sodium per quart, which is less than 2 percent of the suggested daily sodium intake.
In areas where the water is very hard, the softened water may carry a significant amount of sodium. Some communities restrict or prohibit the use of salt-based water softeners, so be sure to check the codes in your community before you invest in a water softener.
- Salt-Free Water Softeners
Salt-free systems are not technically water softeners, though they do help protect pipes and appliances and may even result in brighter clothes and softer skin and hair. Salt-free systems work by altering the chemical structure of hard water minerals rather than removing them. These systems are sometimes called water conditioners or descalers.
Salt-free water softeners are the preferred type by many consumers because they are less expensive than salt-based systems, require no chemicals, electricity, or wastewater disposal, and require very little maintenance. Most salt-free water softeners use a potassium-chloride salt substitute instead of sodium. Others use reverse osmosis and magnetism.
One issue some consumers have with salt-free systems is that they may be less effective in places where water sits, like a water heater. They also do not produce the “slippery” clean feeling of softened water, which may be preferable.
- Dual Tank Water Softeners
Both salt-based and salt-free water softeners require regeneration cycles during which no water can be softened or conditioned. The frequency of the regeneration cycle depends on how much water you use, how hard your water is, and the system you are using. Regeneration cycles use roughly 50 gallons of water and occur at least once a week but frequently more.
If you purchase a dual tank water softener, you can use the system while it is in its regeneration cycle. A dual tank system costs more, but if you live in a large household, use lots of water, or have someone with an irregular schedule that would find night-time regeneration cycles inconvenient, it may be worth it.
Three Kinds of Water Softener Systems
Salt-based and salt-free refer to the kind of technology being used to soften or condition your hard water. There are also different kinds of water softener systems to choose from: whole-house filtration, whole-house water softening, and a mixed approach.
- Whole-House Filter/Softener Hybrid
Whole-house filter/softener hybrids are by far the most comprehensive and expensive option. Whole-house filtration not only softens water, but it also filters it to remove rust, algae, and harmful contaminants. The only kind of whole-house filter that can soften hard water is a reverse osmosis filter. Reverse osmosis filters are very expensive upfront as well as in the long run due to the periodic maintenance they require.
- Whole-House Water Softening
A step down in price from a whole-house water filtration system is a whole-house water softening system, which is by far the most popular choice for water softening. All of the best water softeners of 2020 on this page are whole-house systems.
Whole-house water softening systems come in salt-based varieties and salt-free varieties. Which you choose depends on whether you want to actually soften the water or whether you want to condition the water to reduce the likelihood of limescale buildup. See the difference between salt-based and salt-free above.
- Mixed Approach
If you want to soften the water in your entire house and only want to filter the water you drink, a mixed approach is your best bet. Use a whole-house water softening system and install an under-sink reverse osmosis or charcoal water filter in your kitchen. This way you remove harmful hard minerals in all of your water and only filter decontaminants from the water you drink and cook with.
What’s the Right Water Softener for You?
Once you’ve decided whether you want to filter and soften all the water in your house or just soften it, you need to figure out the size of the water softener you need and your budget.
- Size
Your water softener will be installed at the point where the water service line enters your home. The size of the softener depends on how much water you use on a daily basis. As you look through the list of the best water softeners of 2020 below, you’ll notice that softener capacity is expressed in grains.
Your first step in determining how many grains you need is figuring out how hard your water is. We direct you again to the JNW Direct Water Total Hardness Test Strips, which we discussed in the Do You Have Hard Water? section above.
Your second step is determining your water usage. The best way to do this is by looking at two or three of your water bills, adding up the total, and finding an average. If you don’t have these handy, you can use this formula:
Number of People in the House (+1 for appliances) x Hardness Level x 80 Gallons x Days between Regeneration Cycles (usually 7).
Using this formula, a family of five with three appliances (water heater, dishwasher, washing machine) with a water hardness of 10 would need a water softener with a 44,800-grain capacity.
- Budget
The higher the grain capacity of the water softener, the more expensive it’s going to be. The cost for a residential water softener can be anywhere between $500 and $2500. To determine the total cost of your system, you need to look beyond the listed price.
Plan on adding $10 a month (though it’s usually a little less) for softening salt or potassium as well as the cost of backwashes during the regeneration cycle, which is usually around 1,000 gallons.
If the price is your primary concern and your water isn’t too hard, consider going with a salt-free water softener, also called a descaler or water conditioner. These systems are cheaper from the outset and require less maintenance and water to operate. If your water is extremely hard, it may be more cost-effective to purchase a more expensive salt-based water softener.
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The Best Water Softeners of 2020
1. Fleck 9100SXT 96,000 Grain Dual Tank Water Softener - Salt-Based
For the vast majority of consumers, a carefully chosen single tank water softener will provide a sufficient supply of soft water. But some households, as well as some businesses, may need a dual tank system.
With its two tanks that share the load and never stop softening water, the Fleck 9100SXT is an ideal choice for homes with very hard water or very high water usage. Each tank, not both tanks combined, has a 96,000-grain capacity and can remove up to 96,000 grains of hard minerals between regeneration cycles.
The Fleck 9100SXT treats a maximum flow rate of 20 gallons per minute. Its digital control means it’s easy to make adjustments so you can maximize softening capacity or minimize salt usage.
Unlike other hard water systems, which use presets to time their regeneration period, this dual tank system regenerates with soft water only when necessary. The result is a 15 percent cost reduction in water and salt.
Star Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars
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2. Fleck 9100 SXT 48,000 Grain Dual Tank Water Softener - Salt-Based
Fleck 9100 SXT 48,000 Grain Dual Tank Water Softener is a good choice if your family uses a lot of water and your water is moderately hard.
Like the Fleck 96,000 grain dual tank water softener above, this water softener has two tanks that work continuously with no downtime. Each tank has the capacity to filter 48,000 grains of hard water minerals between regeneration cycles.
This system also only regenerates with soft water when necessary. It does not use presets to time the regeneration period. That means a roughly 15 percent reduction in salt and water costs over other comparable water softeners.
Star Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
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3. Whirlpool WHESFC 31,000 Grain Whole-House Filter/Softener Hybrid - Salt-Based
The Whirlpool WHESFC is a Whole-House Filter/Softener Hybrid that softens hard water minerals and filters harmful contaminants with a two-in-one, single-tank system. It’s 31,000-grain capacity makes it an ideal choice for families of one to five people.
Its hardness removal abilities are considered above average. It can remove 120 grains per gallon. It has an iron removal rating of 3 parts per million, which means it will reduce rust-colored stains in bathtubs, showers, and toilets.
WHESFC is eco-friendly thanks to its efficient salt use. It uses demand-initiated regeneration technology that constantly monitors your water usage and only produces softened water when you need it. This reduces salt costs and reduces environmental impact. With WHESFC, there is no need to replace a filter because the system self-cleans every 14 days. A low salt light illuminates and alerts you whenever you need to add more salt to the system.
Some installation and maintenance required. Installation requires plumbing connectors, access to a 110V outlet, tubing, and access to a drain. Cleaning with a bottle of WHE-WSC water softener cleanser is required once every four months for most families.
Star Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars
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4. Aquasana Whole-House Filter/Softener Hybrid - Salt-Free
The Aquasana Whole-House Filter/Softener Hybrid is a filtration system and hard water conditioner that prevents limescale, removes 97 percent of chlorine, and filters harmful contaminants like lead, VOCs, mercury, pesticides, and water-soluble metals.
The system is cost-effective, producing clean water for just $0. 01 a gallon, and durable. It will last for 1 million gallons or 10 years. Like other salt-free systems, the Aquasana requires is easy to install and requires little maintenance. The dual tank descaler hooks up seamlessly with the whole-house water filter system. No draining or back flushing is required. Pre and post-filters can be replaced every 3 months to ensure peak filtration and water flow rate.
Aquasana’s Scale Control Media (SCM) softening technology conditions hard water naturally, altering the structure of hard minerals into a crystal that prevents scale buildup. This system is eco-friendly. No salt is used in any part of the Aquasana system, which means the conditioned water it produces is safe for all to drink and safe for the community water supply. There’s no wastewater to dispose of. As an added bonus, this system is extremely easy to maintain.
Star Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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5. Filtersmart Whole-House Water Filter/Softener Hybrid - Salt-Free
Like the Aquasana system above, the Filtersmart Whole-House Water Filter/Softener Hybrid includes both a filtration and a hard water conditioning system. Both are salt-free. Unlike the Aquasana, the Filtersmart system comes with a powerful lifetime guarantee.
The system’s whole-house carbon filter system removes chlorine, chloramine, VOCs, SOCs, THMs, pesticides, herbicides, and industrial solvents. Of particular note in this hybrid Filtersmart system is the all-natural coconut shell carbon from Jacobi that’s used in its filter. The filter is guaranteed to remove chlorine to undetectable levels for 5 years or 1,000,000 gallons.
The salt-free softener does not add sodium to the water or remove hard minerals like calcium or magnesium. Instead, it conditions hard minerals with anti-scale media that modifies the chemical structure of magnesium and calcium so they don’t clog pipes or damage hair and skin.
The Filtersmart system is eco-friendly and easy to use. It wastes no water or electricity. The salt-free softener requires very little maintenance. With only one sediment pre-filter to change every 8 to 10 months, it basically takes care of itself.
Star Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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6. Fleck 5600SXT 64,000 Grain Water Softener - Salt-Based
This complete, whole-house water softening unit from Fleck is salt-based with a huge capacity of 64,000 grains. It’s 2.0 cubic ft of high capacity resin means it can hold up to 250 pounds of salt and comfortably soften water for families of 4-6 people with multiple appliances.
For such a large system, the Fleck 5600 SXT is convenient to install and maintain. Installation takes between one and two hours. Only basic plumbing skills are required. The softener comes with a 1-inch noryl threaded plastic bypass that is compatible with standard plumbing and flex lines. The softener ships pre-loaded with resin. Once the installation is complete you are ready to go. If you lose power, don’t worry. The Fleck 5600SXT has a built-in capacitor that keeps memory up to 48 hours so programming won’t be lost.
The Fleck 5600 SXT Metered Softener Valve helps you save on salt and water costs by regenerating only when you need it. The system automatically tracks your usage and can increase the pace of system regeneration if needed to catch up.
Both the control valve and the Pentair tanks are of the highest quality and made in the United States. The valve comes with a 5-year warranty and the tanks come with a 10-year warranty. The system includes a safety float to prevent overfilling and an overflow drain to avoid spills.
Star Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars
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7. Filtersmart Whole-House Water Softener System - Salt-Free
This Filtersmart whole-house, salt-free softener system has a huge capacity. It has been rated as effective for homes with up to 6 baths.
Unlike traditional salt-based water softeners, this Filtersmart system is salt-free and requires no additives. Salt-based water softeners must be refilled with salt periodically and back-flushed with fresh water, which can be corrosive to pipes and water heaters and damaging to the environment. The only maintenance that’s required on this system is a change of the sediment pre-filter every 8 to 10 months. No electricity or wastewater flushing is required.
The Filtersmart whole-house, salt-free softener system is cost-effective and efficient. Regardless of your water’s level of hardness, it only needs a 5-second contact time to condition your water. Like other salt-free systems, the Filtersmart is not a true water softener. It conditions hard water minerals like calcium and magnesium rather than removing them. It suspends hard water particles so they go down the drain rather than collecting on the sides of your pipes. That means your water will still have its natural mineral content but it won’t damage your home’s plumbing, reduce the longevity of your appliances, or damage your hair or skin.
The Filtersmart whole-house softener system also includes a pre-filter that removes fine particulates, rust, silt, and debris as well as a filter to remove chlorine and improve your water’s smell and taste. It uses an all-natural coconut shell carbon from Jacobi that is guaranteed to remove chlorine to undetectable levels for 5 years or 1,000,000 gallons.
Star Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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8. Fleck 5600SXT 48,000 Grain Water Softener - Salt-Based
This whole-house, salt-based water softener from Fleck has a capacity of 48,000 grains, good for a home of 1 to 6 people. Like the larger 64,000-grain softener, this system is convenient to install and maintain.
If you have basic plumbing skills, installation should take between one and two hours. The 1-inch noryl threaded plastic bypass that comes with the softener means it’s easy to connect up to standard and flex plumbing lines. It arrives pre-loaded with resin, saving you further time on installation. If you lose power, don’t worry. The Fleck 5600SXT has a built-in capacitor that keeps memory up to 48 hours so programming won’t be lost.
The Fleck 5600 SXT Metered Softener Valve helps you save on salt and water costs by regenerating only when you need it. The system automatically tracks your usage and can increase the pace of system regeneration if needed to catch up.
Both the control valve and the Pentair tanks are of the highest quality and made in the United States. The valve, which comes with a 5-year warranty, has been tested to run continuously up to 27 years! The tanks come with a 10-year warranty. The system includes a safety float to prevent overfilling and an overflow drain to avoid spills.
Star Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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9. Whirlpool WHES40E Whole-House 40,000 Grain Water Softener - Salt-Based
The WHES40E salt-based water softener from Whirlpool is an excellent option for homes of 1 to 5 people. It has an excellent iron removal rating of up to 10 parts per million, which means it will reduce rust-colored stains in bathtubs, showers, and toilets. The WHES40E is a good choice for well or city water.
It is NSF certified to soften hard water and protect appliances from damage, reduce the likelihood of pipe leaks and damage, and eliminate hard water damage to hair and skin. This system automatically calculates how much water and salt is required to regenerate and only uses what’s necessary, which reduces salt and water costs.
With a low-salt light, there’s no need to guess when it’s time to add more salt. Some maintenance is required, including adding a bottle of WHE-WSC water softener cleanser to the system every four months.
Unlike other models that regenerate on a set schedule, the WHES40E only regenerates when it’s in use thanks to Whirlpool’s Demand Initiated Regeneration technology. If you go on vacation, the system won’t waste water by regenerating when nobody is home. If your water usage increases, it will increase the regeneration cycle so you never run out of soft water.
Star Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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10. Whirlpool WHES30E Whole-House 30,000 Grain Water Softener - Salt-Based
Smaller than the WHES40E model introduced above, the Whirlpool WHES30E is an excellent choice for households of 1 to 4 people. It is also great at removing iron from water, which makes it a good choice for either well or city water. It rated as effective at up to 8 parts per million of iron.
It is NSF certified to soften hard water and protect appliances from damage, reduce the likelihood of pipe leaks and damage, and eliminate hard water damage to hair and skin.
Thanks to Whirlpool’s Demand Initiated Regeneration technology, which constantly monitors water usage, you don’t have to worry about wasting water while you’re away on vacation. It efficiently uses salt by regenerating soft water only when you need it. This innovative technology will help you reduce your water use and help the environment. Our softeners also feature a low salt light that alerts you whenever your salt level is low.
With a low-salt light, there’s no need to guess when it’s time to add more salt. Some maintenance is required, including adding a bottle of WHE-WSC water softener cleanser to the system every four months.
Star Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
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11. 3M Aqua-Pure Whole-House Scale Inhibition Inline Water System
The AP430SS, a “scale inhibition system” from 3M, is not a true water softener or water conditioner, but it is a cost-effective option if your primary concern is protecting your boiler or water heater.
At a fraction of the cost of other water softeners, the 3M AP430SS Aqua-Pure Whole House Scale Inhibition Inline Water System helps to prevent scale buildup and corrosion in hot water heaters, pipes, faucets, showerheads, and other appliances that use hot water. It uses polyphosphates that bind hard water minerals like calcium and magnesium rather than salts and ion exchange. Polyphosphates also help prevent corrosion by forming a protective layer over metal surfaces.
The AP430SS operates at a temperature of 40 to 100F and 25 to 125 PSI. It can help extend the life of many different kinds of appliances and fixtures, from showerheads and faucets to dishwashing machines to water heaters.
Thanks to its single vessel/cartridge design, the AP430SS is easy to install, use, and maintain for both professionals and consumers. The disposable filter cartridge only needs to be changed every 6 months. If you begin to notice a reduction in water flow rate, change the cartridge. It can be installed on the cold water supply line of the water heater or at any point where the water line enters the home.
The following tools and parts are required but not included: a pipe cutter, one ¾” stop and waste valve, one ¾” compression gate valve, two ¾” male x ¾” street adapters and PTFE tape. It can be adapted to fit various pipe sizes by using an adapter on either end.
Star Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
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12. AquaBliss High Output Revitalizing Shower Filter
Like the 3M AP430SS Aqua-Pure Whole-House Scale Inhibition Inline Water System discussed above, the AquaBliss High Output Revitalizing Shower Filter is not a true water softener or conditioner. Yet it solves many of the same problems discussed in the Problems Caused by Hard Water section above, specifically with regard to hair and skin.
Unlike other water softeners on this list, the AquaBliss Revitalizing Shower Filter attaches directly to the shower like any other showerhead. Its replaceable multi-stage filter reduces chlorine, dirt, particulates and the hard minerals that lead to scale and skin and hair damage.
Shampoo lathers better and soap rinses better, leaving skin and hair feeling fresh and revitalized. That’s thanks to the filter’s proven blend of calcium sulfite and activated carbon. The AquaBliss Revitalizing Shower Filter has been shown to work with all kinds of water — hard water, heavily chlorinated city water, and well water.
No tools are required. Installation takes just two minutes. Simply unscrew your shower head, screw in the AquaBliss universal shower filter, and reattach your shower head.
Star Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
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A Few Tips on Installation
Now that you’ve found the right water softener for your unique level of water hardness and water usage, you need to install it. This isn’t always easy. Learning how to install a water softener can be a challenge. If you can’t make sense of the manufacturer’s instructions, get a professional to do the job. Because all whole-house water softeners have more or less the same installation requirements, we’ll walk through the basics below. Just remember to follow the manufacturer’s exact instructions!
- First, shut off the main water supply and locate the inlet pipe. This pipe should be in your basement or in your garage.
- Find your water meter and cut the pipes between your water meter and your house. This is where you will attach your pipe connection.
- The pipe connection should have three valves. One stops the water from entering the softener. Another prevents the water from exiting the softener. The last is a bypass valve.
- Connect your water softener using these three valves. To ensure the connections are secure you may need to solder the pieces into place.
- Take the 3/8 plastic tubing and connect the brine tank to the media tank. The tubing should be included with your water softener.
- Next, use a hose clamp to connect the drain line to the drain elbow.
- Last, connect the discharge pipe to the wastewater drain.
Removing Hard Water Stains
Now that you’ve selected the perfect system from our list of the best water softeners of 2020, you’re all done, right? Wrong. There’s a problem: you still have all those unattractive stains in your kitchen and bathroom from years of iron and mineral buildup. Your new water softener can prevent new stains from developing, but it can’t get rid of the stains that are already there.
Scrubbing with soap and a sponge won’t work. As you learned, hard minerals like magnesium and calcium interfere with the chemistry of soap and make it ineffective. Luckily there are several cost-effective ways to get rid of these stains.
The easiest way to get rid of hard water stains is with a water-vinegar mixture. Use equal parts water and vinegar and combine the solution in a plastic spray bottle. Spray the surface you want to clean, and wait one minute while the vinegar works its magic. Wipe the area clean with a clean cloth.
If the water-vinegar solution doesn’t work, try increasing the ratio of vinegar to water and leaving the solution in contact with the stains for two to five minutes. If that doesn’t work, you’re likely dealing with a hard water stain that’s been there forever. The longer a hard water stain sits in place, the harder it is to remove. For these kinds of stains, soak a clean cloth in the same water-vinegar solution and cover the stain with it. Leave the cloth in place for an hour or more. After an hour has passed, use the cloth to scrub away the hard water stain.
What about if the stain is in the toilet bowl? Good question. Pour a 1/2 gallon of vinegar into the bowl, topping off with water if necessary so that the vinegar-water solution is in contact with the stains. Let it sit for an hour and scrub the stains away with a toilet bowl cleaner.
Are Water Softeners Bad for the Environment?
Recent surveys found that most people, whether they’re remodeling, buying new homes, or building new homes, are concerned about energy efficiency. Most people, according to the survey, are also willing to pay more to live in an energy-efficient home.
This growing concern over energy consumption and environmental impact explain why appliances today are marked with ratings from the government’s ENERGY STAR® program. Unfortunately, these ratings do not apply to water softeners.
So are water softeners safe for the environment? The biggest complaint about salt-based water softener systems is that they waste water and put salt into the groundwater. Here’s what you need to know.
The first thing to understand is that what’s in the brine tank is not what’s being discharged from the system after regeneration. The water that gets flushed from the system during the regeneration period contains the hard water minerals, like calcium and magnesium, that have been pulled from the water — not the saltwater from the brine tank. According to the EPA, water softener discharge is not harmful to septic systems and may even benefit the soil thanks to its rich mineral content.
Conclusion
We hope this list of the best water softeners of 2020 gives you everything you need to know to make the right decision.
Remember that your first step, before looking at any of the best water softeners of 2020, is to figure out how hard your water is and how much water you use. Once you have these two figures, you can start looking for a water softener. The only other thing you’ll need to consider after that is if you’re willing to deal with infrequent downtime that comes with a single tank water softener. If you want soft water on demand at any hour of the day, you’re likely willing to pay the premium for a dual tank system. If you can live with some hard water coming out of your tap at 2 in the morning while the system is regenerating, it may make sense to save yourself the $500 to $1000 by purchasing a single tank system.