Do the "Water Hardness Map" Hunt
Your local water utility publishes an annual water quality report. Look for "hardness" measured in grains per gallon (gpg). Anything over 7 gpg is considered hard and usually needs softening.
If you’re on well water, you definitely need a test. Well water can swing wildly in hardness and may also contain iron or manganese, which requires a different system.
Know Your Softener Types
Salt-based softeners work by exchanging minerals for sodium. They are the most effective but require regular salt refills. Salt-free "conditioners" don’t remove minerals but change them so they don't stick to surfaces.
Salt-free systems are better for the environment and your sodium intake, but they don’t make water truly "soft." They’re great for preventing scale, not for soap lather.
Pro tip: If you’re on a low-sodium diet, look for a potassium chloride softener as an alternative to salt.
