Water Softener: Which One? (2025 Update)

You have to run your water through a water softener before it reaches a reverse osmosis system or the calcium in the water will shortly plug the "bladder" in the reverse osmosis. And that's a major expense to be replacing every six months or so. Have you considered using hypo-allergenic soap to wash with. I find that I have to use it whether I have soft water or not. Normal soaps with any type of fragrance will cause a sensitive, almost burning sensation. Is it possible that the chlorine in the water is what you are sensitive too....which could be removed with a simple whole house taste and odor filter system.

Ro filters waiste a gallon for every gallon made. Look into a good cartrige system, you will get bottled water quality. RO are usualy overkill and remove all good minerals

they sell cheap shower filters might be worth a try

What do you mean by the "bladder"? You mean the filter?

I use everything hypo-allergenic and frangrance free, but still sensitive :(.

Would a filter system address my second concern - clean dish and clean shower (less calcium built-up)?

In addition I thought the installation of a whole house filter system is equally hard if not harder and the re-occuring cost of a filter system is more expensive (salt is cheap).

-w

The "bladder" should be membrane. Having a softener before a softener is 'required' unless the amount of hardness, iron and manganese dictates one. And then it depends on the RO. No disposable cartridge filter will help with the dishes etc..

Gary Quality Water Associates