Some plumbers argue that soft water is corrosive. This is a common myth. Water softened by a water softener is no more corrosive than hard water. The most practical downsides of a water softener are extra monthly water usage from a water softener's regeneration function, and the maintenance of adding salt to the water softener.

Most softened water is safe for drinking. The amount of sodium that is added to your water from a water softener will depend on the amount of minerals in the water there were to begin with. As a rule of thumb, if your combined water hardness is less than 400 ppm (parts per million) then there is little concern with drinking the water.

Hard water contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium that can build up on your fixtures, pipes, appliances, and even your skin. A water softener replaces calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions. Sodium is far less likely to bind to your skin. The addition of sodium content in the water is what gives the water the “slimy” or “silky” feeling… Depending on your predisposition.

A water softener can corrode the sacrificial anode rod in a tank style water heater faster than hard water may. Water, steel, and electricity do not play well together, regardless of water quality. Ultimately, water is a solvent and will erode anything in contacts, given enough time. In recent years anode rod technology has improved and there are numerous products that are far more corrosion resistant.

Hard water containing elevated levels of minerals such as magnesium and calcium can have a negative effect on your hair. Hard water can be detrimental to hair, making it dry, brittle, brassy, and dull. It can also cause scalp issues like flakiness and itchiness. Hard water can also inhibit the efficacy of many hair products. Soft water has a low concentration of minerals and can leave hair smoother and more manageable.

Well, that depends. It would depend on what type of plant, how often it needs watered, how hard the water is, and how much sodium there was to begin with. Because these variables are difficult to track and manage, we never recommend water plants with soft water. The presence of sodium chloride in softened water can accumulate in the soil and cause problems with plant growth. We recommend filtered tap water for watering plants.

It is very rare that somebody would taste soft water and think “wow, this is salty”. That is because the amount of sodium added to the water is directly proportional to the amount of minerals that were previously present in the water. If you are on city water and pay a water bill, odds are your palate would not be able to detect a salty flavor. If you get your water from a private well with incredible levels of mineral present, a water softener may result in a slightly salty taste, and that's if you have a uniquely sensitive palate.

Technically yes it can. In small amounts. Softeners can reduce or remove iron if the pH, hardness, and type of iron are all just right. Because there are so many variables to consider, it is not recommended to rely on a water softener to treat iron specifically. An iron filter is recommended to be installed ahead of a water softener. A typical iron filter employs a form of oxidation then a backwashing filter with a carbon-based substrate.