Water softeners can make a radical improvement in the lives of many homeowners. Unfortunately there are still far too many misconceptions about them – so let’s put that straight…

Myth No. 1 – Softened Water Contains Too Much Sodium

Softened water does contain an element of sodium, but according to research from the Mayo Clinic, it’s too small an amount to make any noticeable difference.

True, it depends on how hard your home’s water is in the first place, but compared to many of the foods we eat daily, the amount of sodium in softened water should be minimal.

Some people just don’t like the taste of softened water – although many do – but there’s a solution to this. You can fit a 3-way tap which gives you the choice of hard water for drinking and softened water for everything else.

Myth No. 2 – Water Softeners Remove Healthy Minerals

Again, not true. Your softener strips out the calcium and magnesium which cause hard water.

Wait! Calcium? Isn’t that important for building strong bones? Well, yes it is, but not the kind of calcium you’ll find in hard water. This is an inorganic form of calcium which isn’t absorbed by the body in the same way that calcium in ordinary food sources is.

So all that’s removed are the hard minerals which cause a soapy scum on your hair and skin and limescale on your taps and in your appliances.

Myth No. 3 – Water Softeners Are Expensive

Of course there’s a cost to owning a water softener, as there is with anything else. But it’s far less expensive than having to fit a new boiler because it’s furred up inside with limescale. Or having to powerflush your central heating because of limescale buildup. Or spending more on your energy bills because the kettle isn’t performing at its peak because of, you guessed it, limescale.

You’ll also save a significant amount on your weekly shopping bills as you don’t have to use as much detergents, shampoos and soaps. Or moisturisers and conditioners for dry skin and hair. And if you have a cleaner (lucky you!) they’ll spend less time at your house because they won’t be scrubbing away at limescale deposits.

And with our free trial and flexible payment options, you can choose to rent your water softener monthly, so there’s no big upfront cost and you can manage your budget.

Myth No. 4 – Water Softeners Make Water Taste Salty

This is a very common misconception, because you do have to use blocks or bags of salt in your water softener, just as you do with a dishwasher. However, the amount of salt which gets passed into the water is negligible and you shouldn’t be able to taste it at all.

The salt exchanges calcium and magnesium ions for sodium ions. Mains water goes through a tank filled with resin beads and the exchange is made. Once the beads are worn out, a process called “regeneration” takes place – pay attention Doctor Who fans! A concentrated sodium solution passes through the beads to flush the calcium and magnesium ions away.

Myth No. 5 – Soft Water Doesn’t Wash Soap Off

In fact, the complete opposite is true! Your skin feels more slippery after a bath or shower in softened water because there’s no hard, scummy mineral film clinging to it. What you feel is the natural smoothness of your skin and the healthy oils which are otherwise stripped away by hard water.

So you’re cleaner and your skin and hair will look healthier too.