What is a water softener, and do you actually need one?
- ross milne
- Jun 16
- 6 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
If you live in a hard water area in the UK, you’ve probably heard of water softeners — and maybe wondered if you actually need one. Constantly descaling your kettle, toilet, or taps? Noticing that tell-tale dryness in your skin and hair? You’re not alone.
I often wondered the same and assumed water softeners were big, expensive systems best left to high-end homes — until I stayed in a little Airbnb and spotted a small one tucked away under the kitchen sink.
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I didn't realise how compact they could be — or that fitting one wouldn’t be too big a job for a plumber (so I’m told by my plumber boyfriend). It made me realise they’re a more practical option than I'd previously thought.
So, what exactly does a water softener do, how much do they cost and what should you consider beforehand? Let’s break it down.
What is a water softener system?
A water softener is a device that makes hard water soft by removing the minerals — mainly calcium and magnesium — and replacing them with a small amount of salt.
Most water softeners are installed at the point where water enters your home. This means all the water that flows through your plumbing — kitchen, bathroom, washing machine, and beyond — has been softened. You won’t just notice less scale on surfaces, you’ll also be protecting things behind the scenes, like your boiler and pipework.
How does a water softener work?
The magic happens through a process called ion exchange. As explained by water softening specialists Ultra Soft, this process removes limescale-forming minerals like calcium and magnesium from your water and ‘exchanges’ them for sodium chloride (salt).
Inside the softener, there’s a tank filled with thousands of tiny, negatively charged resin beads. As hard water passes through, the positively charged calcium and magnesium minerals are drawn to the beads, stick to them, and are swapped out for a small amount of sodium chloride.
The result is softened water flowing through your home — water that’s gentler on your skin, kinder to your appliances, and far less likely to leave chalky limescale behind.
Over time, the resin beads become covered in calcium and magnesium and need to be cleaned. That’s where the salt comes in. The softener flushes the beads with a salty water mix (called a brine solution), washing away the minerals and recharging the beads so the system can start the process all over again.
What are the benefits of a water softener?
If you're dealing with hard water, the benefits of a softener can be surprisingly far-reaching.
Softer skin and smoother hair: Many people notice less dryness, itchiness or irritation — especially if they have sensitive skin or eczema.
Brighter laundry: Clothes and towels come out softer and cleaner.
Fewer cleaning battles: You’ll spend far less time scrubbing away scale on tiles, taps, toilets and shower screens.
Longer-lasting appliances: From kettles to washing machines, soft water helps reduce limescale damage and improves efficiency.
Lower energy bills: With less limescale inside pipes and heating elements, appliances run more efficiently and use less energy.
How much does a water softener cost in the UK?
It depends on the size of your home, the system you choose, and whether installation is included — but here’s a rough guide to how much water softeners in the UK cost:
Water softener units: £500–£2,000
Installation: £200–£400 (some brands offer free fitting)
Ongoing salt: £5–£15 per bag, depending on usage
Some softeners also use electricity, so factor in a small running cost if that applies.
Considerations before buying
Drinking water
Here’s the catch: you can’t really drink softened water. The process adds salt, so it’s not recommended for babies or anyone on a low-salt diet.
To fix this you'll need a separate unsoftened tap or a filtered one for drinking water — but it’s another bit of kit (and cost) to plan for. If you’re weighing up whether a softener’s worth it, include that in your budget. Expect to pay around £120–£250 for the tap and installation, or £180–£500 if you opt for a higher-end filter system.
It's worth pointing out that hard water does have one small perk: it naturally contains calcium and magnesium, so you’ll miss out on a bit of those minerals if you switch entirely to softened water.
Location and space
You’ll need to find a practical spot for your water softener, usually near where the mains water enters your home. For most homes, that’s under the kitchen sink or in a nearby cupboard, but it really depends on your setup. And measure up to make sure it fits.
Maintenance
Water softeners aren’t set-and-forget. You’ll need to top up the salt regularly, and some systems need more maintenance than others — like occasional cleaning, servicing or part replacements.
Garden use
Softened water isn’t great for plants, lawns, or vegetable patches. If you’re a keen gardener, you’ll want an outdoor tap that bypasses the softener so your garden still gets untreated water.
Environmental impact
Most traditional salt-based softeners regenerate using a flush cycle that sends salty wastewater down the drain. While it’s essential for the system to keep working properly, it does create wastewater that may not be ideal for the environment.
Who benefits most from a water softener?
If you’re wondering whether a water softener is right for your home, here are a few situations where it can really earn its keep.
Sensitive skin
If you or someone in your household has eczema, psoriasis, or generally sensitive skin, switching to softened water can make a noticeable difference. Many people find their skin feels less dry or irritated.
Colour-treated hair
Hard water is tough on dyed hair — it can make colour fade faster and hair feel dry or brittle. A water softener helps preserve colour and keeps hair looking and feeling healthier.
Expensive appliances
Softened water reduces scale build-up, which means your boiler, dishwasher and washing machine are likely to last longer and run more efficiently.
Tired of scrubbing?
If you’re simply fed up with cleaning scale off taps, tiles, and shower screens — you’re not alone. A water softener doesn’t just make life easier, it makes everything feel cleaner.
Salt-free alternatives to traditional water softeners
If you want to keep the healthy minerals in your water and are looking for a more budget-friendly or low-maintenance solution, there are a couple of other options:
Water conditioners
A water conditioner — sometimes called a salt-free water softener — is a device (smaller than a water softener) that connects to your existing pipework. Instead of removing minerals, it changes their structure so they’re less likely to stick to surfaces and form limescale.
Conditioners are a good option if you don’t want the hassle and expense of a full water softener and separate drinking supply. They’re also lower maintenance, with filters usually needing replacement only once a year. And because they don’t completely remove calcium and magnesium, you still keep the natural minerals that are good for you.
Cost: £170–£1000
Installation: £150–£300
(I think I might have talked myself into getting one of these!)
Magnetic or electronic descalers
Magnetic and electronic descalers — also known as limescale inhibitors — are small devices fitted to your pipework that use magnetic fields or electrical pulses to change how minerals behave in your water. Instead of removing calcium and magnesium, they alter their structure so the minerals are less likely to stick to surfaces and form limescale.
Some units are DIY-install friendly and just clamp onto the pipe, while others need to be cut in and soldered or connected with compression fittings (a job for a plumber!).
Cost: £25–£200
Installation: DIY for clamp-on models, or around £100 for plumber-fitted units
So, do you really need one?
If you’re in a hard water area and struggling with dry skin, dull hair, and constant limescale battles, a water softener could be well worth the investment.
If you’re not ready for that type of commitment yet or want to test the waters (pun intended!), a water conditioner, descaler, or even a good shower filter might be a great first step.
Still unsure if it's the right choice for you? Check out Are water softeners worth it? Here’s what to know before you buy
Author bio: Lucinda is the founder of Hard Water Home, a UK-based blog helping households in hard water areas understand the challenges and solutions more easily — and make smarter choices for their health and home. Based in Poole, she also runs an award-winning plumbing company, giving her unique insight into how water quality affects our homes. Away from the desk, she’s happiest at the beach with her family and a good cup of coffee (minus the floaty bits!). More about us ➡
