Who has a water softener in your home?

**homesteadmamma** · 01-09-2006, 11:11 PM

And if you do, what is the main purpose of having one?

It's been recommended to us to get one because our water is so hard. I'm not sure the cash lay out is worth it? If you have one, do you think it is?

**SewCrafty** · 01-10-2006, 10:53 AM

We do and for us the money was worth it. We didn't get it because of hard water but when I was going through chemo treatments we had our water tested and it was filled with bacteria, I couldn't even shower in it let alone drink it!

So we have one that has a UV light with it to kill the bacteria before it enters any piping in the house.

If we could have gotten just the bacteria killing light without the softeners system we would have, but you need the softener system too with the light.

**QuilterMom** · 01-10-2006, 11:03 AM

We have one as part of the filtration/treatment system for our well water (which is horrid here on the coast - full of sulphur and iron and very stinky).

**jlxian** · 01-10-2006, 11:37 AM

We have a softener. We initially got it to deal with the hard water, but it has also alleviated the sulfur smell and iron problems we have without it. I have literally scrubbed the finish off my bathtub trying to get rid of iron stains we got before the softener (Now I use Whink).

In my opinion it is worth the cost --- if it only extends the life of your hot water heater, it is probably worth it!

You also use less soap, and fewer cleaning products -- especially if you keep it full of the softener salt.

**Dedlered** · 01-10-2006, 12:03 PM

Our water is so hard, we are definitely getting one this Spring

**Kimberlina** · 01-10-2006, 12:19 PM

We just had one removed from our plumbing circuit. It was a hold over from when they had well water here.

**marym** · 01-10-2006, 01:24 PM

I have a water softener. I water is well water and it's very hard and has high iron content. I use a special iron removing salt in the softener. Without it the tubs toilets and laundry would turn a ugly rusty color. I wouldnt be without one.

**Darlene** · 01-10-2006, 01:30 PM

Originally posted by jlxian
We have a softener. We initially got it to deal with the hard water, but it has also alleviated the sulfur smell and iron problems we have without it. I have literally scrubbed the finish off my bathtub trying to get rid of iron stains we got before the softener (Now I use Whink).

In my opinion it is worth the cost --- if it only extends the life of your hot water heater, it is probably worth it!

You also use less soap, and fewer cleaning products -- especially if you keep it full of the softener salt.

We do & ours is old & needs to be replaced. Jean, I am suffering from the orange tub, Whink is the way to go eh? I could scrub everyday & that stuff would still be there. i hate doing it

**JaneP** · 01-10-2006, 02:13 PM

We live on a farm and have well water. We have a water softener full of red out salt (the kind that fights rust stains) and a chlorinator. I wouldn't be without one. All the stains on fixtures and clothes are the least of the savings. The scale deposit from hard water builds up in your pipes as well. Over time you'll end up with plumbing bills that will make the cost of the softener seem like pennies in comparison.
I've also lived in Chicago area. Very hard water.

**Katybird** · 01-10-2006, 03:13 PM

We don't have one but it is something that we are considering because of our extremely hard water.

**zakity** · 01-10-2006, 03:18 PM

We have one. We also have the light thing. We have alot of iron in our water also and we use the green bag of salt pellets (don't know what they say on them, but they are the kind that are supposed to help take out the iron). I still have an orange shower stall. I gave up and just let it. I don't care if my shower and tub are nice and pretty and white.

**YankeeMom** · 01-10-2006, 04:03 PM

We have one, but it was already installed when we bought the house. The main purpose, according to the previous owners was because of the hard water. I definitely notice the difference and can tell by the feel of the water if it's time to add more salt. I use less detergent, my skin doesn't get as dried out after showering (probably because I don't need as much soap), and the toilets don't get that nasty rust ring.

Like someone else said, it prolongs the life of your water heater but not only that it will prolong the life of your washer, your pipes themselves, as well as your radiators if you use hot water to heat your home.

**jlxian** · 01-10-2006, 04:23 PM

Originally posted by Darlene
We do & ours is old & needs to be replaced. Jean, I am suffering from the orange tub, Whink is the way to go eh? I could scrub everyday & that stuff would still be there. i hate doing it

Darlene --- Whink is the ONLY stuff I've found that works on our iron problems. You squirt it on and it dissolves it while you watch. You need rubber gloves if you will get your hands in it.

I also use Kaboom in the purple bottle for the walls around the tub. It works pretty well, but Whink is the best. Better than Lime Away.

**momof42003** · 01-11-2006, 10:17 PM

No we don't, we are on city water, and it seems to be just fine where we are located.

**schellie69** · 01-12-2006, 09:50 AM

I have one we bought when we lived in the country and had well water, when we moved into town we did not hook it up for a while and I could really tell a differeance still had hard water, hooked it up and now my clothes get cleaner with less soap, and it does save the hot water heater, I also like it because I have a son that has skin problems and his skin doesn't get as red and itchy with the softner so I say it is worth the extra money the salt is not that expensive and I buy 2 bags a week (7 people) I have found that my spending on soaps and cleaners has droped alot since we started using it, I love mine don't think I will ever be with out it again.