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Hard water is a common problem all over the world, and a water softener can be a good solution for this, but the main challenge is to select a good water softener for your home as it will purify the water and make it healthy for your daily use.
The water softeners are amazing! They work by decreasing the hardness of the water by exchanging the ions.
So, here I have a comparison between potassium vs salt water softeners, such as a sodium chloride water softener, and each and everything you should know about them.
Two main types of water softeners
The only way to remove harmful minerals from tap water is by using a suitable water softener. As it will not only prevent the problems like clogged pipes, dry skin, hair, and nails, but it will be a great contribution to maintaining a healthy life.
Many people prefer a sodium chloride water softener while others prefer a potassium chloride water softener, as these both products compete in the markets and are proven to be effective in softening water. And in this article, I have a few differences between these water softeners so you can choose the best one for your home.
Sodium chloride
Sodium chloride is a natural mineral that is found in the earth. Along with it, sodium chloride also comes from salt mines and solar evaporation ponds. Although it has many uses, the most common use is as a water softener.
It works by replacing hard mineral ion with sodium so that you can get clean water. It is easily available in markets in the form of crystals, cubes, and blocks. Besides this, it is one of the customer preferred salt softeners with a comparatively low price.
Potassium chloride
Potassium chloride is also a naturally occurring mineral that is used in agriculture. It is also used as a water softener. It works by replacing the hard minerals with potassium which is an essential nutrient for the healthy growth of living organisms.
Besides this, it plays an essential role in the normal body functioning of human organs, nerves, and muscles. But the best thing is that it is widely found in meat, fruit, vegetables, and dairy products. As it is extracted from the earth, It is way more expensive as compared to other salts.
Potassium vs salt water softener – The main differences
Although both sodium and potassium chloride are effective water softeners, there are still a few things you need to know more about both so that you can choose wisely for you.
Taste
Both sodium and potassium water softeners add only a small amount of salt to the water, which does not change the taste. So, both of them are fine in the taste and do not make the water salty.
Health
If you have a problem like hypertension and are on a low-salt diet, then you can choose a potassium chloride water softener as it is 99.9% sodium-free, while the people with sodium concerns should avoid sodium water softeners to cut down added salt intake.
Cost
Sodium chloride is easily found in salt mines and ponds, while potassium is only extracted from the earth, making it difficult to extract and way more expensive as compared to sodium. So, if you are concerned about the cost, then you can go for sodium chloride water softener as it is easily available in markets at very low prices.
Amount needed
If the brine tank is filled at least with 1/3 portion of a water softener, it will be enough for proper working. For example, adding a tiny amount of sodium chloride to your tap water will be enough, but much more potassium chloride is needed for the same amount of water. This means that you will have to refill your potassium water softening tank more frequently, which can be a hassle.
Environmental effects
Potassium chloride is widely used as a fertilizer, so using it as a water softener can be a milder choice for the environment, while sodium chloride can be extremely dangerous for various parts of plants like leaves, roots, and for their growth. Along with it, sodium chloride is absorbed in the soil and will drastically affect the growth of the plant.
Is potassium chloride water softener safe for plants?
Potassium is a fertilizer that is used widely for plants because it can make them greener and grow faster, so it is completely safe for plants and, in fact, a healthy choice for the environment.
Is sodium chloride water softener safe for plants?
When sodium and chloride dissolve in the water, they separate afterward and can be highly toxic for the plants. Chloride will be absorbed by the roots and transported to leaves where it can accumulate and spread toxicity to the other parts.
While sodium is absorbed in the soil, and it will be the cause of dehydration for plants and their tissues. In short, they can harm the plants and are not good for growth.
Final words