Be wary of "salt-free conditioners" marketed as softeners. These don't actually remove the minerals; they just crystallize them so they don't stick to pipes. If you want that "silky" feeling and soap that actually lathers, you need a traditional salt-based ion exchange system.

You can buy the unit online and hire a local plumber to plumb it in. Most plumbers are happy to do the labor even if they didn't sell you the hardware. 5. Salt vs. Salt-Free

A common mistake is buying a "one-size-fits-all" unit. Softeners are rated by (e.g., 32,000, 48,000, or 64,000). To find your size, multiply the number of people in your house by 75 gallons (average daily use), then multiply that by your GPG of hardness. You want a machine that regenerates about once a week. Buying too small means constant salt use; buying too large can lead to bacteria growth in the tank. 3. Choose Your Valve