[jrref]

Originally Posted by gorillarick

Salt water softener. Your water will feel slick, you'll need less soap in the shower and washing machine. Soft water will dry-out your skin less than hard water, and leave less residue/build-up on your skin, clothes, and plumbing.

Softener could make the water taste better, but a filter on your fridge and the cold-water side of your sink (if a decent filter), will make it taste tasteless. Worth the investment, and while these filters seem expensive, but are dirt cheap if you can only drink bottled water, and a hassle.

Potassium is more expensive compared to salt; but I have no experience with them.

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I plan to replace my water softener soon. Current unit is very old, and very expensive to change the media. In my opinion, not worth it; start over.
But, I plan to have a particle/particulate filter installed on the input. My theory is the softener will last longer if it doesn't have to fight garbage floating thru the pipes in addition to dissolved minerals. Should make the media last longer.

btw: We get a report on TV water once a year. We have pretty good water (safety wise / EPA wise), but they/we can't afford to have all the minerals removed.

Actually, its the chlorine in the water which shortens the life of the water softener. Its best to put a sediment and carbon filter such as a Nova Filter or equivalent before the water softener.