Boil a pot of tap water. Let it cool completely. Look at the bottom of the pot. See white flakes? That’s scalding proof your water is still hard.
If the pot is clean, you’re golden. If it looks like someone dumped flour in it, your softener is broken. Or you left the bag of salt in the driveway.
Here’s the truth: most softeners are actually working fine. We just forget about them because they’re boring. But a little detective work—a soap test, a mirror check, or just feeling your own hair—will tell you everything.
If in doubt, call a plumber. They have meters. They have magic. And they won’t judge you for having a cheese-brick of salt in your tank. Probably.
Now go drink some gloriously soft water. You earned it, you magnificent water-softener-owner you.
