Installing a water softener in your Daytona, FL home will extend the lifespan of your pipes, plumbing fixtures, and plumbing-connected appliances. A water softener can increase the health of your skin and hair, make your tap water taste better, and leave your clothes and dishes cleaner. However, adjusting to soft water takes time. Until you acclimate, your shower water could have a slick, slippery, or downright slimy feel. At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, we’re sharing insights that make adjusting to soft water a bit easier.
Why Does Soft Water Feel Slimy?
For several months after water softener installation, some people are put off by the dramatically different “texture” of their water, especially those who’ve been bathing and showering in hard water their whole lives. However, this difference becomes increasingly less noticeable over time.
Altered Mineral Content
Your tap water’s mineral content determines its taste, smell, and viscosity. Soft water has lower concentrations of dissolved calcium and magnesium, the minerals that give hard water its dry, crisp feel.
Sodium Ions and Slippery Shower Water
Salt-based water softeners replace dissolved calcium and magnesium with sodium ions. Along with decreased minerals, these ions alter water’s viscosity and give it a “softer” feel.
You Don’t Need to Use as Much Soap
The addition of sodium ions also enhances the bond between soap and skin. This is one of several ways in which salt-based water softeners make soap more effective. Using too much soap after water softener installation could increase your shower water’s slippery, slimy feel.
When adjusting to soft water, try cutting your soap use in half. With fewer minerals interacting with your body washes and shampoos, you can use a lot less soap and still get the results you want.
Your Skin and Hair Are Retaining More of Their Natural Oils
Hard water dries the hair and skin by stripping off their natural oils. If you’ve been using moisture-rich products to compensate for these losses, you might not need them. Given the natural softening and hydrating benefits of soft water, moisture-infusing conditioners, body washes, and creams can quickly become overkill. It will take time to determine which products work best when your skin and hair aren’t subjected to daily hard water damage.
Consider Switching to a Salt-Free Water Softener
If you can’t acclimate to the softer feel of water that’s been treated with a salt-based water softener, you can always switch to a salt-free model. However, while salt-based water softeners extract hard water minerals, salt-free options only modify hard water’s mineral content.
We can find the perfect water-softening solution for every household and home. For more information on water softeners or to request a hassle-free quote, get in touch with Benjamin Franklin Plumbing today!