How Soft Water Benefits Detergent Usage

soft water

At Kinetico, we’re proud to provide water filtration systems and expertise that will help you and your family receive clean, healthy water at all times. Our technicians have decades of experience in the field of water decontamination and filtration.

We’re also a top provider of water softener systems, which take hard minerals present in water and remove them to give you a cleaner, less abrasive liquid. And that isn’t the only benefit of a water softener – did you realize that a water softener can also save you major costs when it comes to your yearly laundry and detergent costs? Let’s look at how a water softener saves you soap and detergent costs while also making your water more drinkable and comfortable to bathe in.

Basic Detergent Statistics

You might be surprised at how much a water softener can reduce your home’s detergent use. According to the Water Quality Association, a water softener in the home can reduce detergent use by up to 50 percent – that’s right, half your detergent use can be eliminated just by installing a water softener to remove minerals that might soak up detergent.

Water Considerations

The temperature of water you use might also play a role here. The WQA found that washing clothes using roughly half your usual amount of detergent plus soft, cold water is just as effective at removing stains as a full dose of detergent in hard, hot water – or even more so, in some cases. You also save energy by using cold water, which doesn’t force you to stress your water heater during the wash.

Dishwasher Factors

When it comes to the dishwasher, similar trends abound. Research has shown that areas with hard water can find the same cleaning results by using half the amount of soap, along with water that’s been passed through a water softener in advance.

For more on how a water softener can benefit you, or to learn about any of our water filtration systems or services, speak to the pros at Kinetico today.

Learning About PFOA Contamination

drop of water

Among many contaminants possible in drinking water, one of the most common in the US and many other countries is PFOA, a nonstick chemical that was previously used to make Teflon. PFOA has been linked to cancer, immune system damage in children, and several other major health problems.

In 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency Reported that a relatively small sample of public drinking water systems around the country were contaminated with PFOA. But a bit over a year later, this data has come into question. Let’s look at the updated data, plus how a water filtering system from Kinetico might help you.

Original Study

In the original study carried out by the EPA, it was reported that just 1 percent of public drinking water samples are contaminated with PFOA. But a year later, the same company that analyzed these samples now says that over 20 percent of the samples were likely to have been contaminated.

Re-Analysis

Why the change? Well, it’s all about thresholds for reporting PFOA pollution. The EPA required utilities to report this pollution only when detected above a minimum level – this level was 10 times higher than what most labs can detect, and far higher than what many scientists believe is an unsafe level of PFOA.

During a re-analysis, Eurofins Eaton Analytical took over 10,000 samples from between 2013 and 2015. They found that over one in five were contaminated with PFOA, though research was not done to determine exactly how many additional systems were contaminated.

No Safe Level?

In effect, this gives the EPA a convenient legal excuse to take no action. The Safe Drinking Water Act allows the agency to decide whether to set a legal limit for contamination based on its spread. Nationwide levels of PFOA continue to exceed what the best independent sources have said is a safe level (1 part per trillion).

In fact, scientists in New Jersey and Germany say there might actually be no safe level of drinking water exposure to PFOA, as well as similar chemicals called PFCs or PFASs. But there are still no EPA limits for these, only advisory levels. Even replacement chemicals, meant to come in place of PFOA, were not tested fully and may be contaminated drinking water as well.

Because of this and the uncertainty surrounding drinking water, it’s prudent to install additional water filtration solutions to prevent this kind of contamination. Speak to the pros at Kinetico to learn about how a home water system can protect you from PFOA and other dangerous chemicals.

Health Benefits of Drinking Water

drinking water in a glass

Drinking water is one of the foundations of human life, but it’s also far more than that. Beyond just providing the basis for continued life, water is a big factor in several specific health areas.

At Kinetico, our home water treatment systems are here to help ensure that you and your family are never without clean drinking water. What are some of the health areas that a proper water filter system can help benefit? There are several, in fact. Here are a few to know about.

Toxins and Acne

Drinking regular water throughout the day helps the body to flush harmful toxins that build up over time. This is particularly beneficial for those who deal with acne, which is due in large part to these toxins – drinking more water will directly influence your skin’s appearance.

In addition, cold water on the face can specifically help limit the redness and visual signs that generally come with acne. First wash your face with warm water to help open up clogged pores, then finish up by putting a cold washcloth or another source of cold water over your skin to seal them and limit clogging issues.

Hair Growth

Hair growth in the body is controlled by the circulatory system, which stimulates follicles to grow. Water is a trigger for this circulatory system, meaning drinking the proper amounts of water can impact your hair growth directly.

Skin Health

Water plays a big role in hydrating the skin as well, and helps fill it in and plump it up. This can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and make the skin appear younger and healthier.

Healthier Nails

Like the hair we mentioned above, nail growth in the body is simulated by the circulatory system. More water means more blood to the nails, leading to stronger and healthier nail growth.

For more on the benefits of drinking water, or to learn about any of our filtration services, speak to the pros at Kinetico today.

Cooling Spring Drink Recipes

drinking water

The air is quickly warming up around the country, and we’re not far at all from the dead of summer. That means that staying hydrated is more important than ever, especially if you live in a particularly hot area.

At Kinetico, our water filtration systems enable you and your family to always have a steady supply of clean, filtered drinking water during this important season. For some people, taking a simple liquid and putting a small twist on it can help them remember to drink enough water even when there’s lots going on – with that in mind, here are a couple basic spring or summer drinks we can suggest.

Citrus and Cucumber Water

For many people, adding a basic infusion of citrus and cucumber to water is a fun little spin that keeps them actively drinking. The ingredients you’ll need:

  • Half a gallon of water from a high-quality Kinetico filter
  • One large lemon
  • One large lime
  • One large orange
  • One large cucumber
  • One large pitcher to hold everything

To start with, slice up each of the fruits and veggies into smaller pieces and slide them all into the pitcher. Add your filtered water, then simply give the solution at least a couple hours to sit and infuse together. If you choose to, you can garnish the drink with an orange or a lemon slice to top things off.

Watermelon Mint Agua Fresca

Looking for something a bit more involved? Here are the ingredients you need for a tasty watermelon and mint agua fresca drink that will serve up to eight people:

  • Four cups of watermelon (about three pounds worth)
  • 24 mint leaves cut down the middle
  • Half a cup of purified water
  • Eight tablespoons of fine sugar
  • Four thin lime slices
  • A muddler

For this drink, you first cube and seed four cups of watermelon, then puree your water and watermelon. From here, you’ll make each glass individually – place six mint leaf halves, a tablespoon of sugar and a single lime piece (cut into half-moons, then halved once again) into each glass, then muddle all these together. Add ice to each glass, then pour the watermelon solution in. Stir the drink up, and serve them up.

For more on tasty spring or summer beverages, or to learn about any of our water filters and how they can help, contact the pros at Kinetico today.