Pros and Cons of Water Softeners You Need to Know About

We’ve been testing and reviewing water softeners for years, and we know that there are dozens of benefits of soft water to enjoy. But we’ve found that there are several disadvantages of water softeners, too.

In this water softener pros and cons guide, we’ll be sharing all the positive and negative aspects of owning a water softener.

👍 Water Softener Pros

• Prevents limescale issues – Water softener systems soften the water that flows through your entire plumbing system, preventing limescale in your pipes and appliances. According to the WQA, dissolved calcium and magnesium salts in hard water are primarily responsible for the majority of limescale. A water softener removes these minerals from the water, so limescale can no longer form.
• Maintains appliance efficiency – By preventing limescale formation, a water softener helps to maintain the efficiency of water-using appliances. A WQRF study that tested water heaters with soft and hard water found that the soft water-using heaters performed well throughout the entire testing period, while none of the heaters tested with hard water made it through testing because their outlet pipes became clogged with scale buildup.
• Extends the lifespan of appliances – Calcium and magnesium deposits clog the components of dishwashers, washing machines, and other water-using appliances, accelerating the rate of rusting and increasing their likelihood of failure. This has been proven – a study on dishwashing machines in four hospitals found that hard water usage was one of the 5 major causes of appliance failure. Soft water is free from hardness minerals, so won’t hinder your appliance lifespans.
• Prevents flow & water pressure issues – Over time, scale deposits from unsoftened water build up on surfaces, affecting the flow and pressure of water in your home. A WQA-commissioned study concluded that flow rate was reduced by 75% in 12 months in shower heads used with hard water. Using a water softener removes the minerals that cause scale, preventing buildup in plumbing that leads to flow rate issues.
• Requires minimal maintenance – Water softening systems are pretty self-sufficient. They regenerate automatically, and there are no filters to change. The softening resin lasts 8-20 years. The only regular maintenance task required is to top up the salt tank – water softener salt brand Morton says the average household uses approximately two bags every two months.
• Also targets low levels of iron – The main purpose of a water softener is to remove calcium and magnesium. But ion exchange softening systems can also remove low levels of iron from water. Water softeners can remove up to 3 PPM of iron as well as softening water, giving you two benefits in one.
• Reduces detergent use – Soft water lathers better with water, so installing a water softener can help you reduce your spend on soaps and detergents. A WQA study on soft versus hard water with detergent use found that the washing yielded improved with soft water, even when 50% of the detergent was used at a lower temperature of 60ºF (instead of 100ºF).
• Improve skin and hair health – Healthline reports that hard water is linked to dry skin and hair, and an article by the American Academy of Dermatology Association even cited several studies that suggest a correlation between hard water and atopic dermatitis (although some studies showed no correlation at all). Soft water, on the other hand, doesn’t form soap scum and has no ties to poor skin and hair health.
• Most effective scale prevention method – Several salt-free treatment systems address hard water, but none are as effective as salt-based softening systems. A comparison study of salt-free water conditioners found that these systems could reduce scale by 50-88% on average, while water softeners are recommended by the EPA for “areas of substantial hardness” to completely remove the minerals responsible for scale formation. In our own testing, we’ve found that the best water softeners can eliminate hard water minerals by 100%.

👎 Water Softener Cons

• Requires salt top-ups – A traditional ion exchange water softening system can’t work without salt. When the softener regenerates, salt is drawn from the brine tank and carried by water into the resin tank to replenish the resin beads. Water softener salt costs $5-$30 per 40-pound bag, so the maintenance costs quickly add up.
• Not suitable for low-sodium diets – According to Verywell Health, there’s a correlation between the sodium in softened water and high blood pressure. Your doctor may advise you not to use a water softener if you have high blood pressure, kidney disease, or heart problems.
• Expensive – The upfront cost of a water softener is typically $800-$1,500, depending on the system size and complexity. Some people can’t afford, or justify, the expense of salt-based water softeners.
• Challenging to install – A water softening system needs to be installed at your home’s point of entry. The installation process is complex and involves cutting into your main water pipe, installing a drain line, and more. You may end up paying a plumber to install your water softener for you. Here’s a video walkthrough of how to install a water softener, which should give you an idea of the complexity of the process.
• Removes healthy minerals – During ion exchange in a water softener, calcium and magnesium minerals are removed. These minerals are good for our health. However, if you eat a healthy, balanced diet, you should still meet your dietary mineral requirements from your food sources.
• Affects the taste of water – It’s a myth that soft water tastes salty. That said, many folks prefer the taste of hard water to salt-softened water because of the water’s calcium mineral content. So it might be a disadvantage to you that water softeners change the taste of your water.

Related: Do water softeners waste water?