When it comes to the quality of tap water at home, the general consensus is that if it’s seemingly safe enough to drink, it’s fine. While nobody ever died from using hard water, the benefits of soft water are significant.
Still skeptical? We’re not surprised. With that said, we remain convinced that every household around the world would benefit from making the switch from hard water to soft. Here are the reasons why:
Hard Water vs. Soft Water
It’s easy to dismiss what you don’t understand. Most folks can’t explain the difference between hard and soft water, and that’s no surprise. The differences can be difficult to discern. The bottom line is that hard water contains excessive amounts of certain minerals. While these minerals are harmless, if not beneficial, when consumed in reasonable doses, they make tap water taste weird and contribute to corrosion when relied upon day after day, week after week, year after year. In the long run, soft water – water where these harsh minerals are removed – is ideal for households.
Are you still reluctant to make the switch? Fair enough. Here are five specific reasons your home needs a water softening system:
You’ll get cleaner dishes
Ever wonder why your “clean” dishes are still coated in a cloudy, milky substance after the rinse cycle? Chances are it’s owed to the mineral deposits left behind in hard water systems. If you want sparkling clean dishes, you need a soft water system installed in your home. Certain regions are more hard water heavy than others. For instance, a water softener in Phoenix is more common than one in St. Louis because of the differences in the water supply. But that’s the nature of modern living. If you need soft water to have clean dishes – simply because of the region you call home – then that’s the way it is; living in denial is a short-term solution to a long-term problem.
Appliances will last longer
Another added benefit of soft water is the extended performance of water-reliant home appliances. Dishwashers, toilets, washing machines, and other household appliances requiring water to function will become prematurely damaged over time when used with hard water. That’s because hard water contains minerals that lead to corrosive and deteriorative damage to water pipes and other plumbing components – starting with the machines they’re connected to. By switching over to soft water, your household appliances will last several years longer than they otherwise would if operating with hard water.
Clothes won’t fade as fast
The hard minerals found in hard water – hence the name – are also partly responsible for the premature fading of clothes run through the wash cycle. Homes with soft water are going to save money on clothes over the course of years, all thanks to the minimal wear and tear occurring over time.
Cleaning will be easier
From the dishes that never seem to get clean to the clothes that seem to prematurely age with every wash cycle, hard water drives us to do the cleaning and washing ourselves. This adds up to countless hours spent doing the things we expect our household appliances to do on their own. Rather than continue to waste time and energy filling the gaps left by inferior appliance performance, consider installing a water softener system. It makes cleaning easier, along with making tap water taste better!
You’ll save money
All these points add up to one thing: soft water systems lead to savings over time. The installation might cost a pretty penny upfront, but the extended lifetime of appliances and clothes combined with the reduced pressure to pick up the slack will all add up to significant savings. Added to the reduced likelihood of your family relying on pricy bottled water thanks to great-tasting tap water, the savings can easily enter the four-digit range and higher.
Most of us don’t think twice about the quality of water in our homes. But for those who rely on hard water for their daily household needs, the benefits of soft water can be profound. Generally speaking, switching to soft water will always lead to better results. With this in mind, what are you waiting for?
Julie Steinbeck is a freelance writer from Florida. She enjoys covering topics related to business, home, and travel.