Everything You Need to Know About Water Softeners

woman removing softened clothes from dryer

Everything You Need to Know About Water Softeners

Updated: May 4, 2022 April 22, 2020

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Updated: May 4, 2022

Published: April 22, 2020

Why Do I Need a Water Softener?

Hard water contains high concentrations of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. While hard water isn’t harmful to your health, it can be a nuisance for homeowners trying to keep a clean, functioning household. Not sure if you need a water softener? Take a closer look at the surfaces your tap water touches. If you’re noticing any of the following signs of hard water, it might be time to install a water softener:

Limescale buildup around faucets or showerheads
Soap scum on shower walls, bathtubs, sinks and other fixtures in the kitchen or bathroom
Plumbing and pipe corrosion due to mineral buildup
Streaky or spotty dishes
Stiff laundry after washing
Irritated, dry skin or dull hair

The effects of hard water can cost you time and money having to clean or replace items that have stopped working due to mineral deposits. Luckily, a water softener can help solve many of the issues caused by hard water. Protect your home and receive better-quality water with a Culligan Water Softener.

Noticing spots on glasses, buildup on faucets and other potential issues with your water? Find out what’s going on and how to fix it – try our Water Solutions Finder.

How Does A Water Softener Work?

Water softeners work through basic chemistry. Hard water is mostly made up of calcium and magnesium, which are both positively charged molecules. Water softening systems are designed with negatively charged resin beads. So as hard water pumps through a water softener, calcium and magnesium are attracted to the resin beads and will drain out of the system, along with the salty water. The same process takes place when the water softener regenerates, or cleans itself — leaving you with softer, better water.

What Are The Benefits Of A Water Softener?

Water Softener Benefits A water softener can help solve problems caused by hard water. Soft water systems can help remove high concentrations of calcium and magnesium and deliver softer, better water for your home. The benefits of a water softener, include:

Shinier hair and softer skin
Sparkling, spot-free dishes
Brighter and softer laundry
Longer-lasting appliances
Clearer water
Reduced time and money spent on cleaning

With a Culligan Water Softener, you’ll enjoy the feel of soft towels, a cleaner home and healthier-looking skin. Moreover, when you reduce dissolved minerals from your tap water, you can help eliminate scale buildup on fixtures, water-using appliances, shower walls and corrosion in pipes. This means less time having to clean your home or dealing with repairs.

What Is The Lifespan Of A Water Softener?

A high-quality water softener can last decades if maintained properly. However, there are a few factors that can affect the lifespan, such as how often it’s used and the quality of your water. For example, if your home currently has extremely hard water or well water, your water softening system may need to be replaced sooner.

When we install a Culligan Water Softener, we take care of the maintenance for you. Once your water softener is ready to be regenerated, a Culligan Water Expert will come to your home to swap out the tank for a brand new, recharged unit. Regeneration takes place at Culligan Water, so there’s no salt or discharge at your home or in your community. Our systems will provide:

Soft water in your home without salt or brine discharge
Hassle-free maintenance by a Culligan Water Expert
Convenient delivery and replacement tanks

Which Softener Is The Best?

Culligan’s Water Softening Systems were designed to bring you the quality water you deserve and need. We offer a number of different water softener options to meet your needs.

Aquasential^TM Smart High-Efficiency Water Softener

The world’s most efficient water softener*, the Aquasential™ Smart High Efficiency HE Water Softener removes hard water minerals to benefit both you and your home. Water-using appliances last longer, dishes get cleaner and your clothes, hair and skin become softer, too. Smart technology provides salt refill alerts and insights on product usage and performance through the Culligan Connect^TM App.

Culligan High Efficiency Water Softener

Like the Smart HE Water Softener, the Culligan High Efficiency Water Softener optimizes salt, water and electricity usage to decrease operating costs up to 46%.** Besides getting rid of hard-water headaches like spotty dishes and dry hair and skin, it also helps prolong the lifespan and efficiency of your appliances like your dishwasher, washing machine and hot-water heater.

Aquasential^TM Select Series Water Softener

The Select Series Water Softener softens hard water for less wear on pipes and water-using appliances, all while providing cleaner, fresher water. Delivering the quality you need at the price you want, the Aquasential Select Series Water Softener is designed to be durable and efficient. It seamlessly integrates into your plumbing to provide soft water throughout your home.