Portable Water Softeners: Clean Water on the Move
Portable water softeners function by cleaning natural water sources of impurities and undesirable ingredients. Water from wells, springs and rivers – and often water from the tap – usually contain dissolved calcium and magnesium and ion concentration, all of which can damage plumbing and other appliances used with the water. A common victim of un-softened water is kettles, which are damaged by the buildup of calcium and magnesium, and similarly boilers, which overheat because of a buildup of deposits.
The On-The-Go Portable Water Softener costs just over $300 and are ideally suited for RV holidays and trips with houseboats or just a weekend away from home. It does not require electricity but can soften between 300 and 700 gallons of water per cycle, just by using common table salt. It comes as a thin, blue cylindrical canister, weighing 18lbs, and is designed to be sturdy and easy to store, therefore making it perfect for camping trips.
For a slightly cheaper portable water softener, the WetSpot softener might be a better option. It retails at approximately $130 and comes with a proven 12-year life span. Once again, electricity is not required and rock salt is the simple, cheap ingredient used to recharge the softener. The WetSpot softener comes with a set of rubber wheels to make it easy to move.
More affordable still is the WaterStick water softener, with prices that start at only $70. While operating in the same manner as the previous portable water softeners, the WaterStick is much smaller. It connects with two lengths of garden hose to reduce the calcium and magnesium content of water, and promises that if used in the shower (with a clog-resistant square shower head, for instance), there will not be a buildup of soap scum because of the quality of the water. The WaterStick can make nearly 500 gallons of soft water before requiring salt to regenerate and begin again.
The best portable water softeners come in all shapes and sizes, but if the price tag is larger, the chances are that it will be able to cope with harder water and will operate more efficiently and for longer. It is best to check the quality of your water before you buy!
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