How to Deal With Soft Water
- 1). Avoid drinking softened water on a regular basis. While adding sodium to the water, softening it also makes it more susceptible to leached lead from pipes. Have a knowledgeable technician install a bypass on the water softener for drinking water, such as to the kitchen sink. While this is initially more expensive, it may be a better option than the alternative--purchasing only bottled water, or gallons of filtered water from a grocery store.
- 2). Use an alternative water source for watering plants or lawns. If you only have a houseplant or two, purchasing gallons of distilled water from your grocery store is an inexpensive way to keep them healthy. If you have a garden or lawn, however, you will need to consider digging an alternative well (expensive, and may not be allowed), removing the softener completely (somewhat expensive) or having outside water faucets bypassed from the softener (least expensive).
- 3). Take a daily vitamin that includes calcium and magnesium if you must drink softened water, and watch your overall salt intake. An 8-oz. glass of softened water can hold 13 mg or more of sodium; healthy adults should have no more than 2,300 mg of sodium per day. Those with various health issues, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, need to stay at 1,500 mg per day.
- 4). Use less soap when showering, bathing or washing hands to avoid the "slimy" or "slippery" feeling commonly experienced with soft water. Hard water minerals coat skin, providing--oddly enough--the "squeaky clean" feeling most people enjoy. However, soft water leaves natural oils on the skin, causing a slippery sensation that many mistake for soap residue. If the discomfort persists, try a synthetic liquid body wash, or rinse with rainwater or distilled water.
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