Collection: Water Softeners

How does a water softener work?

The heart of the device is a tank containing ion-exchange resin:

1. Hard water flows through the resin bed.
2. Calcium and magnesium ions, which cause limescale, are trapped by the resin.
3. In return, the water receives sodium ions.
4. Soft water flows to the faucets.

When the resin bed becomes saturated, the softener automatically starts regeneration: it flushes the resin with a salt solution and drains the rinse water into the sewer. Your only task is to periodically add tableted salt.

How to choose the right water softener size?

The most important factors are the number of residents and water hardness. As a general guide:

Water softener prices start at around PLN 2,000, while the most advanced systems cost up to around PLN 6,300. For very hard water or several bathrooms used simultaneously, choose a model with a higher flow rate (m³/h). You can check water hardness with a test strip or in data from the water utility – see how to do it. You can also use the “For how many people” filter above the product list or the selector calculator.

Water softener or multi-functional system?

A multi-functional system is a water softener with a special multi-functional resin bed. In addition to limescale, it also removes iron, manganese, ammonia, and organic compounds that cause rusty stains and cloudy water. This is a good choice for well water – see water treatment systems.

If the water contains a lot of iron, a separate iron removal system before the water softener will work better. An unpleasant hydrogen sulfide odor (“rotten eggs”) is removed by a carbon filter installed after the system. Not sure what you need? Send us your water test results – we will select the right solution.

Compact or two-piece?

A compact water softener has the resin bed and salt tank in a single enclosure. It takes up about as much space as a laundry basket and will fit in a small boiler room, utility room, or cabinet. A two-piece system, with a separate tank and brine tank, is easier to expand to larger resin capacities and more convenient to clean – it is ideal for large homes with several bathrooms.

Control head and Wi-Fi control

The control head, or control valve, determines when and exactly how the resin bed is flushed. In our offer, you will find devices with Clack control heads (including Ecosoft Anthracite, Titanium, Arctic, and Core, as well as Supreme Clever), Canature and Runxin, as well as Ecowater, Aquaphor, and Philips devices with their own control heads. Clack control heads are valued for their reliability and easy access to spare parts.

Ecowater eVolution models have a built-in Wi-Fi module: you can check water consumption and device operation in the mobile app, and a notification will remind you to add salt.

Installation diagram

1. Pre-filter (mechanical) – installed before the water softener. It traps sand, silt, and rust that could damage the control head. Most manufacturers require it to maintain the warranty. See pipe filters.
2. Water softener or multi-functional system – removes limescale, and the system also removes iron and manganese.
3. Final filter (optional) – an activated carbon filter improves the taste and smell of the water, removes chlorine and hydrogen sulfide, and the foam insert catches any resin particles.

How much does maintenance cost?

Very little. A bag of tableted salt (25 kg) lasts on average 1–2 months and costs around PLN 40–50, and the electricity consumed by the control head is negligible. Ion-exchange resin usually lasts 7–12 years, after which only the resin bed is replaced. In return, you protect the boiler, washing machine, dishwasher, and faucets from limescale.

Softened water vs. drinking water

Softened water is safe for sanitary use, but contains more sodium and less calcium and magnesium. Therefore, for drinking and cooking, we also recommend an under-sink filter with reverse osmosis and remineralization. It removes excess sodium and re-enriches the water with magnesium and calcium.