Nothing is better than a refreshing shower to wash off a day’s worth of dirt and grime. In the past, one of the people’s concerns was about hard water and its negative effect on the body. This has been resolved through water filtering and softening. Water filters have been around for ages. They eliminate minerals and contaminants that dull and rough skin and hair.
do water softening shower heads work?
The popularity of soft water shower heads has risen over the years. A shower head with a soft water filter has been marketed to do the job that whole-house softener does, with considerably less expense. Unfortunately, this is not true for those who have already bought these items. Water softening is a complex process that a mere shower head cannot perform.
What Benefits Can You Get from Using a Water Softener?
A water softener removes minerals that make the water hard, which are mainly calcium and magnesium. Soft water gives you naturally healthy hair and skin. You will also notice that your clothes and towels feel soft and look bright after using soft water in your laundry. Since softeners prevent scale deposits, there will be fewer stains on tubs and sinks. Your water machines, dishwashers, and water heaters will last considerably longer.
With all these benefits, having an efficient water softening system has become a necessity rather than a luxury for many households. Traditionally, having a whole-house softener is the best option. You are assured that every drop of water that comes out of all the outlets in your home has been softened and filtered. If you are worried about maintenance, don’t be. Learn everything you need to know about how to maintain a water softener in this source.
Installing a whole-house softener, however, can be expensive. The average cost is around $3,000. This is probably why many are considering cheaper alternatives. Water shower head filter is way cheaper, but it does not do the work it is supposed to do. You think you have saved money from buying one, but you actually do not.
Why Can’t Shower Heads Soften Water?
Water softening is when calcium, magnesium, and other metals with positive ions are removed from the water. This is done when hard water passes through the water softener’s mineral tank. This tank contains sodium-filled beads. When the positive ions of calcium and magnesium cling to the beads, they displace the sodium ions originally attached to them. This way, the calcium and magnesium ions are eliminated. What does go into the water is the sodium ions.
Then, the water softener starts its regenerating sequence. The brine solution enters the mineral tank, allowing sodium ions to replace the magnesium and calcium ions clinging on the beads. The calcium and magnesium ions are then flushed down the drain. With this, the water softener is ready for another cycle.
A soft water filter shower head cannot possibly replicate such a complex process. The regeneration sequence is the key to this. Whole-house water softeners use an automatic regenerating system that regularly flushes and recharges the beads. Hard water to soft water shower head may work at first, but without regeneration, in the long run, it will not perform as expected.
Which Water Filtering Solutions Work Best to Soften Hard Water?
Whole-house water softeners may take a chunk out of your budget, but it is all worth it considering all the benefits you can get from it. Soft water shower head filter may be the craze now, but it is better to put your money on a filtering system that actually works and for the long term too. The following are some of the most viable options in the market. Take a look and see which one fits your parameters best.
Reverse Osmosis Filtration System
Also known as hyperfiltration, reverse osmosis water filtration is considered one of the best water treatments for households. It efficiently removes calcium and magnesium ions, as well as pathogens and other water contaminants. The system also gets rid of bad smells and tastes in the water. In addition, it is quite compact and low maintenance. On the downside, a reverse osmosis water filter is not effective in eliminating dissolved chemicals such as chlorine and other pharmaceuticals.
Potassium Chloride Water Softener
This water softener uses potassium chloride to remove hard water minerals. It follows the same ion-exchange process in regular softeners, but instead of sodium, it releases potassium into the water. Potassium has proven health benefits. It is an electrolyte that helps maintain consistent blood pressure. If you have medical conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, you must consult your doctor before drinking potassium-enriched water. People also claim that softened water from this tastes better and has better color than one treated with salt.
Sodium Water Softener
This is one of the market’s most in-demand whole-house water softening solutions. Like the others, it has been known to remove magnesium and calcium from the water efficiently. Sodium-based water softeners are cost-effective and low maintenance. These are primarily the reasons why they are a popular choice for many. Just note that you must replace the salt periodically to recharge the resin beads manually. The water also tastes a little saltier if you opt to use this model.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
