 A home water softener is a treatment system designed to soften hard water. Hardness is caused when water contain high concentration of dissolved calcium and magnesium.
Softening can be achieved through a process known as ion exchange when calcium and magnesium exchange ions resulting in a harmless salt solution.The resultant softened water will be safe to drink and gentle on home appliances and laundry.
There two types of hardness: 1) Temporary hardness which can be removed by boiling the water; and 2) permanent hardness which can only be removed by a water softener.
How do I know I need to soften my water? Hardness is measured in parts per million or grains per gallon. Soft water range between 0 – 1 grains/gal; a very hard water is 10.5 grains/gal and over. Water will begin to show signs of hardness when the level is over 1 grains/gal. (See the chart above)
You can test your water for hardness with test kits which are very inexpensive. You can buy one for less than $10 to test for total hardness and then compare with a chart provided with the test kit. Unless you are looking for a precise measurement, wide assortments of hardness test kits for homes are available on Amazon at extremely low prices.
The most obvious signs that you need a water softener are when: You begin to notice scales forming in your shower heads, boiler, and bottom of steam irons, dishwashing machines and pipes. You notice low flows through kitchen faucets and showerheads. You begin to see excessive scum in your bath tubs, and when your soaps cleaning ability is diminishing. Your dishes and glasses becoming potted when dry. You may see staining on your sinks, tubs, showers, and clothing. Your hairs feel sticky when washed with hard water. What’s the best softener system for your water The National Sanitation Foundation, aka NSF International tests and certifies water softeners just like it does for filter systems. Water softeners are tested and certified under NSF/ANSI 44 for the reduction of hardness (calcium, magnesium) in the water. So choose a certified water softening system unless certification is not important to you. 
| A salt-based water softener
Salt-based softeners leave a lot of salt in the softened water. It does not soften water like the traditional type. However, it prevents mineral deposits in pipes—only if the water does not sit in the pipe for too long. |  | Salt-free or saltless water softener
Softened water will have elevated chloride making your water a bit salty. Salt-sensitive people will immediately notice the salt taste softened water. A salt-free softener (or descaler) does not leave any chloride in treated water. So for health reasons, some people may prefer to choose a saltless softener. |
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