How to Know if Your Water Softener is Working

Once you have experienced the difference between hard and soft water, you never want to go back to having hard water! Soaps, detergents and even your shampoos do not work nearly as effectively in hard water, and hard water leaves a microscopic film on everything it touches, and water touches nearly everything. It makes a big difference.

• The feel. Hard water has a gritty feel to it, while softened water has a "slip" to it. You'll notice this especially while bathing because soft water makes your skin feel slippery.


• Dried laundry. Washed clothing is harder when washed in to unsoftened water. You may or may not notice this so much, though, if you use a dryer and dryer sheets.


• Washing the laundry. Soft water allows your detergent to work its best. However, mineral deposits from hard water make your clothes, especially whites, dingy or gray-looking.


• Lather. When you are taking a bath and you are having a hard time getting your bath soap to lather, you can suspect that your water is getting hard again, which means the particles of minerals are present.


• Doing the dishes. It's the same when washing dishes by hand. You'll have to use more dish soap to maintain its effectiveness, and you might notice your dishes have a film or grit on them out of the dishwasher.


• Smell. In some places, there is a prevalence of iron in the water, while cities chlorinate their water. Iron leads to a smell of rotten eggs. You'll detect the smell from either coming back if your water softener is not working.


• Taste. As with minerals and other elements that can be smelled, they can also be tasted.


• Corrosion and mineral deposits. A buildup of white-looking crust or rusty deposits indicates those elements are back in your water.