alexandermarshall
New Member
You’re right — only a proper salt-based softener actually removes the hardness minerals. The polyphosphate or “inline” filter types don’t soften, they just try to stop scale sticking, so your kettle/shower will still fur up. The downside is the extra salt bags, a bit of space needed, and the salty waste water (though that’s usually considered minor in the UK). If you’ve got the room, most people in very hard water areas find a salt softener makes the biggest difference day-to-day.
