Water Softener Salt Vs. Salt Free

Hard water often tastes better.

Water is often naturally high in calcium or magnesium, which makes washing clothes and dishes more difficult and leaves detergent films on clothes or deposits on dishes. Salts such as sodium or potassium can be used to negate the impact of the calcium or magnesium. Hard water treated with sodium or potassium salts is called soft water. Although soft water reduces the impact of hard water, it has its own disadvantages. Often, the choice to use softened water is based on personal preference.

Water Softening

Water with relatively high concentrations of calcium or magnesium are considered "hard." This water is called hard because it requires more soap to form lather, making it "harder" to wash with. To make the water easier to use for washing, sodium or potassium salts are used. Water softening uses a filter to exchange sodium or potassium ions for the calcium or magnesium ions. The filtered water is soft water.

Benefits of Hard Water

Hard water, unless there is too much calcium or magnesium, tastes better than soft water. It also reduces the risk of pipe corrosion. Older scientific studies have concluded that harder water may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. The United States Environmental Protection Agency, in a study entitled "Water Hardness and Cardiovascular Disease: A Review of the Epidemiological Studies, 1957-1978," reviewed dozens of studies making this claim. The report concluded that "sufficient evidence was lacking to support a causal association" between hard water and reduced cardiovascular disease. However, the report recommended further study.

Disadvantages of Hard Water

Hard water requires more soap to wash or clean. It can also leave "spotting on glasses, deposits in hot water heaters, and scaling on sinks and fixtures." Other disadvantages include scale buildup on pots and detergent film on clothes.

Benefits of Soft Water

Soft water makes washing clothes easier.

Soft water makes cleaning clothes easier. It also removes the unsightly deposits on washed glasses and sinks and fixtures.

Disadvantages of Soft Water

Soft water does not taste as good as hard water. Soft water systems require periodic maintenance to prevent clogging of the filter. Also, in areas with clayey soil, sodium discharged in the soft water into septic systems can increase the risk of septic tank failure.

References

• Montana State University Hard Water Fact Sheet
• Penn State Water Softening Fact Sheet
• US EPA: Water Hardness and Cardiovascular Disease