Salt Free Softener FAQ

There’s a lot of information available online and elsewhere about salt free water softeners. Some people wonder if there is even any difference between a no salt water softener and traditional salt based softeners (besides the obvious difference of whether or not salt is involved in the process, of course). You need to know the right questions to ask about water softening solutions and the truthful answers to those questions. This article addresses some of these frequently asked questions to help you make an informed decision about your water softening needs.

How does a salt free water softener work? (Does it really soften water?)

First of all, a salt free water softener does not truly soften water. So what does it do and how does it work? A saltless water softener actually descales the water.

Water has scales? What is a water descaler?

I’m glad you asked. Water scale is the mineral residue that gets deposited on pipes, appliances, shower tiles, etc. over time as the water passes through or over them. The minerals that get dissolved in the water have a physical attraction to the material that the water comes in contact with and bonds with the surfaces over time.

A water descaler is a device that creates an electrical charge in the water which causes the scale to be held in suspension in the water. In other words it removes or minimizes the natural attraction between the scale in the water and the materials that it comes in contact with. Kind of the same way as wearing the wrong kind of cologne or deodorant does for people.

Which one is better; A water softener or an electric descaler?

The answer to this question really depends on what it is you are wanting. Let’s take a look at the pro’s and con’s for electric descalers and traditional salt based water softeners.

Use the answers to these frequently asked questions to aid you in your quest for understanding the options available to you for meeting your household’s water treatment needs.