Home Blog Buyer's Guides Inside the Health Benefits of Water Softener Systems

Inside the Health Benefits of Water Softener Systems

by Dr. Jonathan Doyle - Updated December 19, 2024
According to recent news reports, elevated levels of perfluorinated and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water and food, have been linked to health problems such as cancer and immune system impairment.
However, water softener systems improve water quality by removing minerals such as calcium and magnesium from the water. It can reduce your health risk of drinking water. In this article, we will walk you through how to use a water softener to remove minerals from your water.

What Are the Health Benefits of a Water Softener System?

The health benefits of installing a water softener system are evident in every aspect of daily life. It makes our skin more radiant, makes our hair softer, and extends the life of our appliances.

Scale Prevention

Soft water does not contain minerals such as calcium and magnesium that cause scale deposits. This not only improves the health of the water and ensures that our drinking water is safe. It also ensures that equipment such as water heaters and dishwashers are protected from limescale deposits. You can generally extend the life of your equipment and save money by preventing limescale deposits.
the man looked in shock at the scale in the kettle

Cleaner Plumbing

Hard water builds up mineral deposits in pipes and fixtures over time, leading to clogs and reduced water flow, compromising the safety of our water. By using a water softener system mineral deposits can be prevented and the plumbing system can function properly, ensuring the safety of healthy water.

Softer Skin and Hair

Hard water that is not softened will result in oily, dry, irritated and dull skin and hair. With soft water, skin will be smoother and more hydrated and hair will be shinier and healthier.

Brighter Laundry

Hard water can make it difficult for detergent to fully dissolve and clean clothes, resulting in dull, stiff clothes. Soft water filtered through a water softener increases the effectiveness of the detergent by making it easier to foam and rinse more thoroughly. As a result, clothes washed in soft water are shinier, softer, and cleaner.
the woman is suffering from oily hair

Extended Appliance Lifespan

Scale deposits will reduce the efficiency of your appliance and lead to increased wear and tear on internal components. A water softener allows the appliance to reduce the effects of scale deposits, helping the appliance to run smoothly and last longer.

Improved Taste and Odor

Hard water usually contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which create distinctive tastes and odors. We do not recommend drinking softened water directly as it removes heavy metals but does not filter bacteria. It's best to filter it down again with an reverse osmosis water filter . Our Waterdrop RO filtration system is able to remove PFAS and improve the quality of your drinking water.

Reduced Maintenance

Using a water softener reduces the cost of cleaning and maintenance. Water softeners reduce the formation of soap scum, scale, and other mineral deposits, which can reduce the need for scrubbing, descaling, and the use of harsh cleaning products.
From the above, it is understood that the introduction of a water softener system in the home will bring many benefits to our health and positively impact our daily lives. From personal health to maintaining a clean home environment, the advantages are clear.
the woman is drinking water

How Will Not Using a Water Softener Affect My Health?

Without a water softener, the water in your home is likely to be “hard” with high levels of minerals such as calcium and magnesium, and may even have PFAS. Hard water can lead to several problems:
Scale buildup: hard water can lead to mineral deposits in pipes, appliances (such as water heaters and dishwashers), and fixtures, which can reduce their efficiency and longevity.
Soap scum: Hard water reacts with soap, and this reaction creates a residue called soap scum, making it difficult to clean items such as dishes, clothing, and surfaces.
Dry Skin and Hair: The minerals in hard water will take away the natural oils in your skin or hair and this can cause dryness, irritation, and dullness.
Reduced soap effectiveness: Hard water reduces the lathering and cleaning power of soaps and detergents, leading to increased soap usage and potentially leaving soap residue on clothes and dishes.
dry skin

Is Soft Water Better Than Drinking Water?

A water softener is a unique filtration system that removes natural minerals such as magnesium and calcium from hard water. It softens water by reducing the hardness of the water. However, this kind of machine increases the amount of sodium ions in the water. That’s why softened water is not suitable for drinking.
Water treated with a water softener contains a lot of sodium ions and can be consumed by people who do not have high blood pressure problems. However, over time, it increases the risk of cardiovascular health in the population.
Therefore, drinking water directly from a water softener is not recommended. If you want to drink water directly from a water softener, it can be re-filtered using a house water filter machine, which removes 99% of the contaminants and minerals. In this way, there is no health risk associated with drinking water in the home!
In addition, Waterdrop also have home water filtration systems and sink water filters to choose from. For more information, please consult our website!

Can Drinking Water Softeners Have Side Effects?

Drinking water softeners increase sodium intake and decrease the amount of beneficial minerals in the water, so they have fewer side effects on the body. The salt-in-water softeners may have some environmental impact. Therefore, people with special health conditions or environmental sensitivities should consult a doctor or professional for advice before use.
make tea with clean water

How Do You Choose the Right Home Water Softener?

Choosing the best home water softener can improve the quality of water in your home, protect pipes and equipment, reduce cleaning supplies and consumption, and improve comfort and health. Here are a few reasons to choose the right water softener:
Water Test: First, perform a water test to determine the hardness level and other contaminants that may be present in your home’s water. This will help you understand what kind of water softener you need to deal with your water quality issues.
Types of Water Softeners: Learn about the different types of water softeners, like ion exchange softeners, salt-based softeners, salt-free softeners, etc., and choose the right type based on your needs and budget.
Treatment Capacity: Choose the treatment capacity of your water softener based on your household water usage and hardness level. Make sure the water softener can meet your family's daily water needs.
Brand and quality: When choosing the right home water softener again, you can choose to consider water softeners from well-known brands to ensure product quality and reliable service.
there are many contaminants in your tap water
Installation and Maintenance: When selecting a water softener, consider the ease of installation and maintenance needs of the softener. Choose a water softener that is easy to install and maintain, or consider hiring a professional for installation and maintenance.
Warranty and service: Check the water softener’s warranty period and after-sales service policy to ensure that you can receive timely technical support and repair services when needed.
Cost: The budget factor is important when choosing a water softener. Start by evaluating your home’s water quality needs, then determine a budget range based on the type, brand, and quality of the water softener. Then consider installation, maintenance, and overall water softening cost effectiveness to ensure the right choice is made.

Conclude

Through the above article, we have learned about the features, types, and benefits of water softener systems and their installation and maintenance. A water softener removes hardness minerals from water through ion exchange, extends equipment life, increases plumbing efficiency, and improves water quality. It improves the health of water used in the home.

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Contaminants Detected in  Fruitland Water Special Service District
30
Contaminants
EXCEED EWG HEALTH GUIDELINES

30  Total Contaminants in Your Water

Water Provider

Fruitland Water Special Service District

Population Affected

120,000

Water Source

Ground water
Exceeds Guidelines

Others Detected

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