How Can I Tell If Water Softener Is Working
Hop in the shower. Lather up your hands with soap—not body wash, but real bar soap. If you’re using a water softener, your hands should feel slippery, almost like you can’t get all the soap off.
That slimy feeling is actually a good thing. Hard water leaves a sticky soap scum on your skin; soft water rinses clean, leaving your skin feeling silkier. If your hands feel squeaky or dry, your softener might be slacking off.
The Spotty Glass Dilemma
Remember those cloudy, white-spotted glasses you used to curse at? After a working softener, they should come out of the dishwasher crystal clear. No spots, no haze, just shine.
Spotting happens when hard water’s calcium and magnesium dry on the glass. If you’re still seeing dots after a week, it’s like your softener is waving a tiny white flag. Time to investigate, maybe check the salt level.