[zcaveman]

I had a water softener in NJ because I had a well and I liked the feel of the soft water on the body when taking a shower. It did not make me feel sticky. When I moved down here I got a water softener and liked it. I had the potassium chloride version and when the wife had to go on low potassium I shut it off. The showers felt crummy and there was a smell and taste of chlorine in the water on occasion. I replaced the holding tank and went to the salt version and all is well again.

Maybe it is just a spiel but you use less detergent in the washer, and the pipes are cleaner and you do not need to replace the aerators as often with a softener.

Also, the amount of salt that gets through the softener is minuscule and the other chemicals in the water are filtered out also.

As I have said in lots of other posts on water softeners, it is to each his own. I prefer the softener. Others don't.