Laundry usually requires a certain amount of laundry detergent, some stain fighting products, some softener products, and often Clorox or other whitening product. To simply do a load of laundry requires quite a few products in our arsenal. Often we pre-treat the laundry, then put it in the washing machine, add extra detergent, crank up the water temperature, and hope for the best. Unfortunately all too often our best efforts aren’t quite enough and after all of that we still have stains and have used a ton of soap and hot water to accomplish something that still remains out of reach. This endless budget run around is unnecessary. We end up spending way more on the simplest task when what we really needed to do in the beginning was simply change the type of water we are using and we could have the end result we have been striving for.

Two recent studies conducted by the independent testing firm Scientific Services S/D of New York funded by the Water Quality Research Foundation (WQRF), reveal that using softened water might simply be the answer. “The benefits of softened water in people’s daily lives are significant,” says Peter Censky, executive director of the Water Quality Association. “These studies show how consumers can save money and energy by softening their water.”

These studies showed that in washing machines, detergent can be reduced by 50% and energy saved by washing in 60 degree cold water instead of using 100 degree hot water, achieving the same or better stain removal and whiter clothes compared to results in hard water. Not only can you get by on half the detergent and save energy by using cold water, you can also be more environmentally friendly because there is less detergent being flushed out of your household.

Softened water used to be thought of as a luxury item that you could do without and it wouldn’t really affect your life. You could put up with that sticky feeling after the shower and a few stains on the dishes. Turns out, the softener and maintenance of it might be the cheaper way to go and you could have the luxurious shower too.

What it all boils down to is this, a water softener in your household will save you money that you currently are spending on laundry detergents, stain fighting and whitening products as well as money you are spending on your electric bill. You will use less hot water because you can wash with cold water instead and achieve the same or better results. It doesn’t mean that you won’t have to still buy these products just that you will be using significantly less of them so they will last longer. Take some time out of your busy schedule and research water softeners. A little piece of luxury you thought you couldn’t afford just might be more than affordable; it just might save you far more than it costs.

That meant if you were pleasantly used to having the benefits of soft water, you were suddenly thrust back into the stark world of limp lifeless hair, water-spotted glasses, dingy shower doors, and plugged up showerheads. The good news is that a handful of water treatment companies have been proactive enough to see that legislation coming and find an eco-friendly way to deliver soft water. In our industry, we call it a metered system or PE Tank Service, but we’ll let you call it convenience. To you, it simply means that you can lawfully and with a good green conscience enjoy softened water.

Here’s the detailed scoop. Our water softeners all measure the amount of water being used and perform internal processes based on that water usage, rather than simply backwashing when a clock says that it’s 2:00am. For a typical family of four, that could mean that 85 gallons of water and 11 pounds of salt are NOT dumped down the drain every single day. Next, instead of having the traditional brine tank that backwashes itself into the sewer, a portable exchange tank can capture all the contaminants and store them. When the tank is spent, a technician comes and replaces the tank with a new tank. As the homeowner, you no longer have to buy and carry heavy bags of salt, pay for water that you never see, or worry about what your household is doing to the environment.

Spent tanks are gathered up from all the homes in your community and taken to a controlled environment where they are regenerated all at once. During this process, all the tanks are emptied into a large vat and the resin is backwashed at one time. This clean resin is put back into the tanks and are ready to go back to work in neighborhood homes. The water and salt brine that was used to regenerate the tanks is not dumped into the sewer. Instead, it is captured, filtered, and reused in the next regeneration cycle. The contaminants that are filtered out are captured, cleaned, and hauled away to be recycled into feed stock and other products. The total sum of the process? Zero salt was discharged, no water was wasted, and the byproduct was recycled.

If 100 homes used exchange tank services, in just one year, 3 million gallons of water would be saved, 400,000 pounds of salt would be prevented from entering the waste water system, and waste water treatment operating costs would be drastically reduced. So, if you think softened water was a joy of the past, don’t give up. Call a water treatment company that offers exchange tank service – and start enjoying your water and your environment again.

Three simple steps will help wage the war with winter skin: Prevent, Protect, and Promote.

Prevent
The cold air outside drives us indoors where we crank up the heat and take long, hot showers but this is exactly what we should avoid to encourage healthy skin. High heat and low humidity rob skin of its natural moisture content. Using a humidifier to replace the moisture in the air is extremely beneficial. Consider limiting showers to 5-10 minutes with moderately warm water. This practice will add moisture to your skin, while excessive heat and shower length will actually lower moisture levels. Additionally, studies show that hard water is damaging to sensitive, dry skin. Consider investing in a water softener, to reduce hard mineral contaminants that irritate skin and necessitate the increased use of soaps and shampoos.

Protect
Lotions, lip balms, and appropriate clothing all help to protect the skin and replenish the moisture that is lost during the winter. To get the most benefit from any lotion or cream, apply within 3 minutes of bathing or hand washing. This is when the skin is most ready to accept the added moisture. Use products that are dermatologist recommended and are free of excessive perfumes and dyes. When heading outside, apply a protective lip balm and cover exposed skin with appropriate clothing. Use sunscreen on exposed skin. Don’t forget – the sun shines in the winter too.

Promote
Drinking plenty of water may seem like an obvious solution, but try as we might with lotions and moisturizers, the best thing we can do for our skin is to hydrate it from the inside out. Our skin is an outward reflection of what is happening inside and often a lack of water intake and an imbalance of essential vitamins like A, B & E can leave our skin dry, dull, and lifeless. If your daily diet does not include a substantial amount of green leafy vegetables, fish, and healthy fats like olive oil and nuts, consider adding these supplements to your diet.

Making some simple changes can increase the health of your skin during winter. These recommendations should be easy to implement to help you win the battle against dry, sensitive winter skin.

Additional information can be found at the American Academy of Dermatology

Boncor water softeners remove the limestone (hardness) before it can start
damaging water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, plumbing, etc.
Boncor water softeners are available for purchase or rental service. Boncor
water softeners also allow you to use up to 80% less detergent, saving you
enough money to pay for the water softener.

When water softeners soften your water, your skin will feel softer, your
hair shinny and soft as well.

You don’t have to live with hard water. Let a Boncor water softener representative test your water and show you how economical it is to enjoy soft water.

Boncor water softener service is available in San Diego County: Poway,
Rancho Bernardo, Escondido, Vista, Oceanside, Carlsbad, San Marcos,
Fallbrook, Bonsall, Encinitas, Valley Center, Pauma Valley, Ramona, Mira
Mesa, Scripps Ranch, Rancho Penasquitos, Solana Beach, Del Mar and Rancho
Santa Fe.

In Riverside County, Boncor water softener service is available
in: Temecula, Murrieta, Wildomar, Winchester, Lake Elsinore, Canyon Lakes,
Menifee, Hemet, San Jacinto, Perris, Corona and Sun City.

Give Boncor water softeners a call today and let us test your water and show
you how soft water can improve your life.