Salt vs. Salt Free Water Softeners: Which Is Better?
What is a water softener?
Before learning about water softeners, let’s first define hard water. Hard water is water that contains dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium. Water hardness is measured in grains per gallon (gpg). If water has 1 or more gpg, it is considered hard. Hard water can cause many problems like dry skin, dull hair, scale buildup in pipes and appliances, stains and spots on things that come in contact with water and other challenges throughout the home.
Water Hardness Scale
| Hardness Level | Grains Per Gallon (gpg) Hard |
| Soft | Less than 1 gpg |
| Slightly Hard | 1 - 3.5 gpg |
| Moderately Hard | 3.5 - 7.0 gpg |
| Hard | 7.0 - 10 gpg |
| Very Hard | 10 gpg or more |
Soft water contains less than 1 gpg of hardness minerals (calcium and magnesium). A water softener is often what is used to remove the hardness minerals from hard water. Soft water is easier on you and your home, reducing or eliminating the harmful effects of hard water. If your home is affected by hard water, a water softener might be the solution to your water problems.
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Types of water softeners
Water softeners are often put into two categories. There are traditional water softeners that use salt to regenerate (salt water softener system) and salt free water softeners. Both treat hard water, but they work in different ways.
Salt-Free Water Softener
No salt water softeners are not really water softeners since they don’t remove hardness minerals or produce soft water. Salt-free water softeners change the chemical makeup of water. Salt-free systems crystalize the hardness minerals so scale will not form when the water flows through your water pipes. Essentially, the hardness minerals are still in your water, but they are in a different chemical state. In summary, a saltless water softener alters your water to reduce the effects of hard water.
Salt Water Softener
Salt-based water softeners use a process called ion exchange to remove the hardness minerals from water. Ion exchange occurs when hard water runs through a resin bed. The hard ions (calcium and magnesium) in the water are exchanged for the soft ions (sodium or potassium) that cling to the resin. When the resin bed has exchanged all the soft ions for hard ions, the system must regenerate (clean) the hard ions off the resin using either sodium chloride (salt) or potassium chloride. Once regeneration is complete, the resin is full of soft ions and the process is ready to start again.
What’s the difference between Salt-free water softeners and traditional water softener systems?
The obvious difference between a saltless water softener and a traditional, salt water softener system is that one uses salt to function and one does not. Essentially, the two types of systems are not alike. Salt based water softeners use a process that removes the hardness minerals from water. Many saltless water conditioners use a sequestering agent that links hardness ions together to control water hardness and iron. Additionally, the agent helps prevent corrosion of metal surfaces by coating them with a thin film when the water makes contact, but saltless water conditioners don’t really “soften” the water.
Which Type Of Water System Is Right For You?
Which is better? A No-Salt Water Softener or a Salt Water Softener?
There are pros and cons to both types. Both a saltless water conditioner and a traditional water softener are solutions to treat hard water. Salt-free water softeners don’t require the use of salt or potassium chloride, so there are no salt refills. as we mentioned though, saltless water softeners don’t remove the hardness minerals from water.
If your home’s water is slightly hard, a saltless system may work for you; however, a traditional water softener that uses salt is the best option, in most cases. The salt based system will eliminate hard water so you will not have scale buildup in your water pipes. Your water-using appliances will be protected; your dishes won’t have hard water spots; your sinks, showers and tubs will not have soap scum or scale buildup. Your skin and hair will be soft and smooth, and you’ll use less soaps, cleaners, shampoos and lotions. With a salt-free water softener, you may still see some issues with water-using appliances, and other hard water issues may still occur.
Some people want a no salt water softener because they are concerned about added sodium in their water. A salt water softener will add a small amount of sodium to your water, but not much. The amount of sodium in an 8 oz serving of softened water (which was treated to remove 18 gpg of hardness) would be approximately 30 milligrams. In comparison, the same serving size of low-fat milk contains 120 mg of sodium. Furthermore, rather than drink softened water, many people drink bottled water or treat their drinking water with a reverse osmosis system which significantly reduces sodium and other contaminants from the water.
Salt Vs. Salt Free Water Softeners: How do they compare?
| Salt Water Softener | Salt Free Water Softener |
| Reduces Hard Water | Conditions Hard Water |
| Requires Salt | Does Not Require Salt |
| Reduces Scale Everywhere | Reduces Scale Most Places |
How Do I Know Which Water Softener Is Best For My Home?
Here are a few factors to consider when selecting the best water softener for your home.
- Is your home’s water source city water or do you have well water?
- How much water does your family use?
- How hard is your water?
- Does your water contain iron?
- What is your budget?
- What other water problems are you experiencing?
To figure it out, the best thing to do is schedule a water test with a certified water professional. They will test the water in your home and develop a water treatment plan based on the test results and your water treatment needs.
Schedule A Free Water Test To Determine Which Softener Is Best For Your Home
Water Treatment Solutions for Hard Water
Kinetico Water Softeners
Kinetico offers several water softeners to meet a variety of water challenges. We offer Premier Series Water Softeners, Signature Series Water Softeners and Essential Series Water Softeners, as well as other water treatment systems to solve a variety of water problems. Each softener line includes multiple softener sizes and configurations to meet the specific water demands of your home.
Learn more about Kinetico Water Softeners
We also offer a wide selection of specialty water treatment solutions to treat specific water challenges like scale, iron and manganese, chlorine and chloramine, and many other water problems.
Contact your local Kinetico dealer today to schedule a water test and learn more about your water and our water treatment solutions. A water specialist will test your water and provide you with the best solutions to treat your water.
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