water softener poll

Does anyone out there have a water softener? If so, why did you feel it was necessary / do you think it's worthwhile? Have you truly seen a difference in the amount of soap / detergent / etc. that you use & saved $ in that direction?
Also, has anyone had appliance issues that were caused by NOT having a water softener? I'm basically looking for experience and pros / cons.

DH wanted to buy one, and while I've pulled him back for the time being, he does think it's worthwhile. In the meantime I've done some online research to see what of the claims made by the salesman were valid (a surprising amount based on the articles I read). In the process the offer has gotten much better from the salesman's side and now my thought is: if it IS something we actually need, then why not take the sweetened offer?

DH and DS#1 both have v. dry skin (which I didn't realize could be attributed to hard water), and I have noticed my hair has gone DOWNHILL since we moved here texture and shine-wise (another thing I didn't realize could be attributed to hard water).

I just don't want to make another stupid decision. My initial call to cancel has removed the "act now and you'll get A, B, and C" pressure (and of course A, B, and C are still on the table).

Thanks for your input.

I recently read an article about water softener companies and the thing I remember most was a concern over the method in which companies actually soften the water. Some use very harsh chemicals to soften the water and you have to research the best and healthiest method of softening out there.
Before softening your water, my recommendation would be to get a filter for your shower. When in Chicago, where the water noticably reeks of chlorine, I installed a filter and it made a world of difference to my skin and especially my hair. The filter got rid of chlorine, lead and various other things that shouldn't be in the water. It got rid of the scalp dermatitis I had and I needed far less conditioner. It essentially changed the way my products worked on my hair. Also, my estitician always says dry skin is most likely the result of dehydration and harsh body soaps. My thoughts are that if you are concerned about the water you are drinking, you should be concerned about showering in the water as well.

Growing up we had a softener because we had well water. I could always tell when the softener needed more salt (I didn't realize there were different types of softeners, I've always used the salt kind) because shampoo and soap wouldn't lather, and my hair and skin felt awful and dry. The place we live now has a softener (again the salt kind), and it does wonders for taking the rust out of the water. We once went about two days without enough salt and the toilets, sinks, and shower all got tinged orange, and we all itched like crazy. That is my very limited knowledge. Maybe different kinds of softeners are better for different kinds of water. I know I couldn't live where we do without one. We also have friends who got an "Iron Curtain" in addition to a water softener to help their water. Before setting it all up, my friend had orange hair due to the untreated water (a reaction with her highlights). Even the diamond in her wedding ring turned very slightly orange, which she hasn't been able to reverse.

IMO its definately worth it.

[DCJenn]

We've never needed it but my parent's are on well water and before they moved in someone turned off the switch so all of their toilets and showers were stained with the rust stuff before they moved in. They had to buy special rust removers from bed, bath and beyond to remove the stains.

I actually don't like the way their tap water tastes after the softener, so I'll only drink the filtered water from their refrigerator.

I drink our tap water - and other than the lead scare of last year- I've never had a problem. I did test the water using a kit that tested for all kinds of things before we brought Nikolai home, just to be on the safe side.

Jenn

[Phoebe]

We purchased a water softener shortly after moving to our new home. We had all the symptoms of hard water. After installing the softener (the salt kind), they went away. I would say we are using less soap and stuff because sometimes if I use the normal amount, my washing machine lets me know there are suds (meaning too much soap).

Our town recently introduced softer water in the community so I don't know if we need it now, but we did before. We also installed piping to the outside spickets so that would be cheaper by using less soft water and less salt. Apparently, plants like hard water. I usually drink water from our refrigerator too.

I would recommend a water softener. I hate cloudy glasses and yucky hair.

Jennifer

[SuzySunshine]

We have one, and I'm told most houses in Rochester have them. I'm not a huge fan of soft water especially for showering but I just put the nozzle on a high spray and I'm fine. My MIL noticed it when she came to visit the first time but I don't really notice. We have one where you buy the big bags of salt but we don't fill it that often, probably because it is just the two of us. We also filter our drinking water, we have a filter that fits right on our faucet.

I do know that while living in VA for 10 years I didn't NEED to use hair conditioner or moisturizer, I chose to. If I forgot, I didn't notice.

Growing up in WI and living in CT I HAD to use them or I would have crunchy hair and itchy skin, even with a water softener.

I wound up using massage oil as moisturizer when the landlord didn't resupply the water softener with salt when I was in college.

We have a water softener, used it for the first 2 years & then it broke. Haven't fixed it (it's been 2 years since) & am getting ready to take matters into my own hands & call a repair guy. I've noticed a HUGE difference! Our clothes wear out much faster and our dishes are destroyed. Our skin is ichy and hair feels a bit like straw. We're going to have to replace our dishwasher (hopefully not our washing machine) because the deposits and rust have really messed it up. That's been my experience with it.

Sara