Sodium and Soft Water Basics

A common question for families considering installing a water softener is “how much salt does a water softener add to my drinking water?” Particularly those who suffer from high blood pressure are concerned about adding sodium to their diet.

Is this concern justified? Let’s look at the true amounts of sodium in soft water – and how Kinetico can help you lower or even eliminate the presence of sodium in your drinking water.

How Much Salt is added to the Water?

When hard water flows through a softener, sodium ions replace the hard minerals that cause the white build up on glass shower doors, faucets and anything else the water comes in contact with.

Typically, the sodium in a glass of water softened is less than the sodium found in a single slice of bread. It is far less than the amount found in a can of Diet Pepsi, which is considered a low-sodium beverage. So while sodium is definitely present, it’s not in particularly egregious amounts.

If you know how hard your water is there is a simple formula to determine the actual amount of sodium added to your water through the softening process. Water hardness is measured in grains per gallon (gpg) and anything less than 1gpg is considered soft, 3.5gpg is hard, 7gpg is very hard and 10.5gpg is extremely hard.

For every 8oz glass of water 1.89mg/l of sodium is added for each grain per gallon of hardness. If your water is 10gpg the water softener will add 19mg/l of sodium to an 8oz glass of softened water. As a comparison an 8oz glass of milk contains 120-125mg/l of sodium. A slice of white bread will have about 170mg/l of sodium.

Drinking Water without Added Sodium

There are a few ways to reduce or completely eliminate the salt from your drinking water. A reverse osmosis system, like our Kinetico K5 Drinking Water Station, will remove virtually everything from the water, including sodium. Another option is to bypass the cold water in the kitchen, so it stays hard water. This will allow water in the rest of home to be softened and the drinking water will not.

Want to learn more about soft water, or drinking water filters? Speak to the pros at Kinetico today.

August 1, 2017

Hydration Tips for the Hot Summer

As your go-to experts in water filtration and water softeners, we at Kinetico know how vital water becomes over the hot summer months. Hydration is especially important in the dry deserts of Utah.

Here are several tips for staying hydrated over the hot summer.

Water Bottle

Drinking water regularly is vital for summer hydration, and one of the easiest ways to do this is to carry a water bottle with you throughout the day. Keep it with you from morning until heading to bed at night, and if you want to be extra diligent, track how many times per day you refill it.

Set a Timer

For some people, proper hydration involves reprogramming the mind to develop better habits. Setting a phone or other timer for once an hour can really help – every time the timer goes off drink a small cup of water. You can adjust this technique depending on your specific needs.

Add Minerals

You need proper mineral balance to stay hydrated. Many people find success adding unrefined, raw sea salt – this increases absorption of water and helps with hydration. It can also help with adrenal and thyroid function, which brings more natural energy.

Dehydration Factors

Finally, one of the most important parts of staying hydrated over the summer involves avoiding beverages that dehydrate you. For many people, these are soft drinks, coffee and green tea – they are fine in moderation, but look to balance them with hydrating liquids.

To learn more about summer hydration or how our water purifiers can benefit you, speak to the experts at Kinetico today.

July 1, 2017

Health Benefits of Drinking Pure Water

At Kinetico, the primary goal of our drinking water filtration systems is to supply you and your family drinking water that’s clean and pure. In fact, the Kineitco K5 Drinking Water Station is certified to remove more impurities than any other water purifier.

In addition to tasting better, drinking pure water has several specific health benefits, let’s look at 5.

Keeps You Young

A consistent supply of pure drinking water will help you have a more youthful appearance. Proper hydration helps keep skin moisturized, and goes a long way to preventing fine lines and wrinkles on the face and in other visible areas.

On the flip side, if you don’t drink enough water – or if water isn’t pure, and contains contaminants that reduce the actual hydration effect – your body will try to retain water whenever possible to conserve resources. This makes the skin puffy, and can lead to wrinkling and bloating.

Helps Lose Weight

Pure water acts as an appetite suppressant for many people. It also prevents fluid retention, which helps you keep a slim, trim look without extra water weight.

Removes Toxins

Without enough water, the heart is forced to work harder pumping fresh, oxygenated blood to the organs. This can lead to toxin formation, and eventually to significant health issues. Proper hydration will help prevent this.

Helps Build Muscle

Staying hydrated with pure water allows muscles to work harder and longer before they become tired. Carrying pure water with you everywhere is a great way to make sure your body is never thirsty.

Improves Joint Health

Joints need moisture to remain strong and flexible, to keep movement smooth and pain free. Pure water helps keep you hydrated better than other drinks, and will help keep your joints young and strong.

To learn more about what pure drinking water can do for you, or for details on our water filtration systems, speak to the experts at Kinetico today.

June 1, 2017

Hard Water Detection Methods in the Home

At Kinetico Utah, our water softeners are designed to help turn your hard water into soft, luxurious water for better use around the home.

How do you know if your water is hard? Detecting the presence of hard water is something many people don’t know how to do. Let’s look at a few simple home methods for determining if you might have high amounts of calcium and magnesium in your water, making it hard.

Outside Examination

This method involves looking around your home for evidence of hard water. Check your sinks, bathtubs and showers for white scale build up. Glass shower doors and tile showers will have white spots or film which won’t wipe off and will etch the glass. Toilets also develop a white ring at the water level which won’t come off without the use of harsh chemicals or pumas stones.

Check laundry to see if your whites are grey and dingy, or you have to use fabric whiteners like bleach or Oxy Clean to keep them looking white and bright. With hard water fabrics will also often be stiff and rough to the touch.

The kitchen is another great place to check for hard water. Look for spots or a film on glass and silverware, which can be caused by minerals in hard water. Inspect the sprayer and see if it has a white crusty build up on the end and when you spray the water seems to shoot every direction except the way you want it to.

The Skin Test

Take a bar of soap and wash your hands with soapy warm water and as you rinse them rub your fingers together and notice if your skin feels slick and silky or if it feels squeaky. Then dry your hands with a clean towel and see if your skin feels rough and they have a reddish dry look to them.

When washing in hard water skin will have a squeaky feel when rinsing and many will notice their skin feels and looks dry and rough when dry. Soft water will leave the skin feeling soft, smooth, and silky.

Have Your Water Tested by a Professional

If you’re still unsure about the hardness of your water, let the experts at Kinetico assist you. We’ll test your home water for hardness, chlorine and other impurities. Our representatives are standing by to assist you.

May 1, 2017

Why Softening and Reverse Osmosis Go Together

Kinetico Utah - Water Filtration Systems Utah - Reverse Osmosis Water systems Utah

Within the water filtration sphere, there are a few different layers of water treatment. You may be familiar with reverse osmosis filters that are installed under a sink and provide purified for drinking and cooking.

Kinetico’s Drinking Water Station is certified by NSF to remove more impurities than any other reverse osmosis and is rated number 1 by the leading consumer publication. Another of our services, that’s as vital for many, is our whole-home water softener. In fact, many people who choose one of these systems end up choosing both for their family – and they actually complement each other in several ways. Let’s look at the benefits of installing both a reverse osmosis drinking water system and a water softener in your home.

Quality Water

For all the water in your home, a water softener removes calcium and magnesium, which are the minerals found in hard water. For some people, especially those on a low-sodium diet or those who are looking to limit their sodium intake in any way, water softening can add slightly higher levels of sodium to the water.

This is where reverse osmosis comes in. Reverse osmosis systems can be hooked up to a single sink or a refrigerator/freezer line (or both), and will remove the sodium added to softened water – along with heavy metals like lead and many chemicals. For the highest quality water possible, both water softening and reverse osmosis systems are recommended.

Protects RO Units

Reverse osmosis membranes are very effective at removing many elements from your water, but they can be fragile. Hard water has the same effect on reverse osmosis membrane as it does on you appliances and fixtures, it ruins them.

A water softener protects the reverse osmosis unit by filtering these elements before they ever reach it. This will extend the life of the RO unit significantly, often by nearly double.

Cost Benefit

Softening the water in your home and purifying your drinking water provide your family the benefits of soft water and the best quality water for drinking and cooking. In addition you will save money, when factoring in things like appliance lifespan and lower usage of soaps and detergents, they pay for themselves in short order. Reverse osmosis systems remove the need for bottled water, and many families find they purchase fewer sugary drinks once they install an RO system.

To find out more about benefits of soft water and purified drinking water speak to an expert at Kinetico Utah today.

April 1, 2017

Effects of Hard Water

While hard water may not be a serious threat to your health, it can certainly have significant effects on other areas of your life, making household tasks more difficult and causing long-term damage to your clothing, skin, hair and appliances.

The average American family of four uses about 400 gallons of water every day, for everything from showering and cleaning to washing dishes and laundry. Hard water can have a significant impact on your daily life.

Disadvantages of Hard Water

Hard water in the laundry, for example, can cause soap curds to lodge in the fabric during washing and leave clothes feeling rough and stiff. It may cause graying of white fabrics and the loss of brightness in colored ones. Over time you may even start to notice an undesirable odor, and it could shorten the useful life of your clothes.

Dishes and glasses washed in a dishwasher using hard water may end up spotted when dry. Hard water can also cause a film or spots on glass shower doors, shower walls, bathtubs and sinks that require significant scrubbing and harsh cleaners to remove.

Bathing with hard water is discouraged as it leaves a sticky coat on the skin, doesn’t lather as well (so you have to use more soap), and may not remove bacteria and dirt as effectively. Soap residue may even lead skin to become irritated and dry, and make hair dull and difficult to manage.

Hard water also contributes to inefficient and costly operation of water-using appliances. When limescale forms in appliances and water heaters it may cause breakdowns. Heated hard water forms a scale of calcium and magnesium minerals that can damage appliances such as your dishwasher or washing machine. It will also cause scale buildup in commercial equipment such as boilers, cooling towers, and other large-scale equipment.

Benefits of Adding Soft Water

To enjoy softer skin and hair, shiny spot free dishes, fluffy and fresh smelling towels and have your appliances provide years of trouble free service we encourage you to consider having a Kinetico water softener installed in your home.

Here at Kinetico Utah, we believe everybody deserves soft water to make life easier and cleaner. We offer home filtration systems that soften water to make everyday activities a breeze. Contact us today to find out more about your water treatment options.

March 1, 2017October 23, 2019

Skin Benefits of Soft Water

There are several reasons why soft water can be more beneficial to skin than hard water, and there are plenty of reasons to try and avoid hard water on the skin altogether. Let’s look at the effects soft and hard water have on your skin.

Effects of Hard Water on Skin

Hard water contains dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium, minerals which make it more difficult for water and soap to dissolve effectively. Leaving a scummy residue just like you’ll see on sinks, shower doors or fixtures.

This same residue clogs your pores, and can cause several skin conditions – studies have shown that children in areas with hard water are 50 percent more likely to suffer from eczema. Hard water can cause the natural oils in pores to be trapped and form blemishes or pimples, and it can even affect the way skin ages. Many people find hard water causes them to have dry, irritated skin, and wrinkles over time.

Effects of Soft Water on Skin

Soap easily dissolves into soft water forming a sudsy lather; one that easily rinses away and doesn’t clog pores. Soft water requires less soap be used when washing, and often allows people to stop purchasing lotions to counter the effects of dry skin caused by hard water.

Slippery Vs. Squeaky Clean

People who have spent their whole lives bathing using hard water will often associate the “squeaky clean” feeling they get after a shower with true cleanliness. These same people take a shower in soft water, and assume the slick or silky feeling on their skin means they aren’t actually getting clean.

In reality, this is backwards. That slick feeling on the skin is how the skin is supposed to feel, and that squeaky clean feel actually might be soap scum, dead skin and dirt that wasn’t washed away. That slippery feel means that natural oils haven’t been stripped from your skin, and are able to do their jobs.

Want to learn more about the benefits of soft water, or any of our water filtering solutions? The experts at Kinetico are standing by.

July 15, 2016

Key Questions to Ask Before Purchasing a New Water Softener

Water softeners can be a great addition to many homes in Utah, especially since most municipal water systems in the area have “hard” water, a term that describes water containing minerals like calcium and magnesium, that can cause problems with scale build up and dry skin. Before you get one, though, there are a few questions you should ask.

Does My Home Have Hard Water?

Most water in Utah is considered hard, but before you purchase a water softener it’s best to have your water tested. Not only will this let you know exactly how hard your water is, it’s important in selecting the correct size of water softener. This test is simple to do and any reputable water softening company can do it right in your home. Also ask if there are other elements in your water you should be concerned about, such as iron or chlorine.

What Kind of Water Softener Do I Need?

There are dozens of options to choose from when you’re shopping for a water softener, and the right one for your home will depend on different factors. First, determine the capacity you need for your water softener. Next, check for third-party certifications such as those from the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) and the Water Quality Association (WQA) to make sure its performance matches up to the claims they are making.

Is This a Reputable Company?

There are a lot of companies to choose from when purchasing a water softener, so before you buy, make sure you do a little research. Not all companies will be reputable, and purchasing from a fly-by-night company that might do a poor installation, or might not be around when something goes wrong and the system requires maintenance or repairs. Choose a company that has been in business installing water softeners in Utah for many years. Ratings in publications like Consumer’s Digest and Consumer Reports can also be a good resource.

What Kind of Customer Service Do They Offer?

In addition to finding a company that provides quality products at an affordable price, you want to make sure the one you’re working with offers great customer service. Read reviews from previous customers, or ask for a phone number to check referrals and ensure you’re working with a quality company.

To find out more about water softeners in Utah and have one installed in your home, call Kinetico today.

June 15, 2016

4 Ways Water Softeners Can Save You Money

Most people know that water softeners make it easier to keep water spots and scum off of dishes, plumbing fixtures and silverware, but did you know that a water softener can also save you money? While it may cost a bit up-front, the four following money-saving benefits make up for the initial cost.

Reduces the Amount of Laundry Soap You Buy

Laundry detergent is fairly expensive, especially if you have hard water and need to use a lot of it. Hard water contains minerals that inhibit the ability of detergents to clean properly. This means that you will need to use larger amounts of detergent in order to try and get your laundry sufficiently clean. Installing a water softener allows you to use less laundry detergent and experience a significant savings advantage over time.

Soft water also eliminates the need to use expensive products like Oxy Clean, Calgon and Clorox to try and keep your whites from turning gray and dingy. Soft water will also eliminate, or virtually eliminate, the need for fabric softeners and your towels, sheets and other clothing be soft and fresh smelling.

Eliminates Damage to Plumbing

Want your plumbing system to last as long as possible? Installing a water softener may be the best way to extend its life. Mineral deposits from hard water can collect in your pipes, appliances, faucets and fixtures. It also leaves unsightly and hard to clean build up and rings in sinks, toilets and on faucets. Soft water eliminates these problems and helps ensure that your plumbing lasts as long as possible. Healthy, non-clogged plumbing pipes and appliances are less likely to require expensive repairs and replacement.

It is estimated that 17-20% of the cost of a home is for the plumbing system, that’s a lot of money invested, and soft water protects this investment and significantly extend its life.

Reduces the Amount of Soap and Lotion You Use

Soaps, shampoos and lotions may not seem very expensive, but their costs can add up to surprising amounts over time. Soft water makes it possible to use less of these items so that you don’t need to purchase them as frequently.

University studies have shown a 50-80% reduction in soap usage with soft water vs. hard water. As an example, the Maytag Answer Book recommends using 3tsp of detergent with soft water and in hard water 10-12tsp. In extremely hard water they say “it’s very difficult to achieve acceptable dishwashing results” no matter how much detergent is used.

In an attempt to get their dishes clean and spot free in hard water most people add additional products like Jet Dry or Lemi -shine. In soft water these products are not needed at all, adding to the cost savings and protects the environment at the same time.

Extends the Life of Your Clothing

The minerals found in hard water can be rough on your clothing and cause them to look dull and dingy. Water softeners are gentler on fabric and can help you save money by extending the life of your clothing. According to a Purdue University study “the life of clothing and household textiles was prolonged up to 15% when washed in soft water.”

May 2, 2016

Three Facts About Reverse Osmosis

Even though many companies offer home water softening systems, we think that we offer customers the very best options. Reverse osmosis water is some of the purest and most delicious water available anywhere in the world – and you can have a virtually unlimited supply at your home with surprisingly little cost. Your entire family can enjoy the pure, perfect taste of RO water just the way nature intended it.

Pressure Is Used to Remove Major Contaminants

A reverse osmosis system utilizes the finely tuned application of pressure to drive water through a semi-permeable membrane. This membrane is only about as thick as a sheet of plastic but it is capable of removing many different inorganic solids that are dissolved into water. Dissolved solids are any minerals, heavy metals, salts, etc that were once a solid that have now dissolved into the water.

You Never Come in Contact With Contaminants

The contaminants removed from the water by the reverse osmosis membrane are removed and flushed away. Your home reverse osmosis system will remove many major contaminants, including:

Lead
Arsenic
Iron
Sulfate
Sodium
Nickel
Mercury
Cadmium
Cyanide
Chloride
Phosphate

A home reverse osmosis system will also include two to four additional filters to remove other impurities that affect the taste, smell and quality of your drinking water. These additional filters will remove sediments and particulates, chlorine and many other chemicals.

All that is left is clear, deliciously drinkable water.

Reverse Osmosis Is Very Affordable

In terms of cost-per-glass, reverse osmosis is one of the most affordable water filtration systems available. The system’s components last so long that each glass costs homeowners only pennies. Your family can cook, make ice cubes, and enjoy clean delicious drinking water all without breaking the bank. The system’s ease of use and overall convenience also make it a valuable addition to any home.

Discover RO Water Today

Contact Kinetico of Salt Lake City Utah today to learn more about this water purification technology. In no time you can discover exactly what makes reverse osmosis water so exciting.