Frequently asked questions

Hard Water Basics

1. What is hard water?

Hard water is water that contains high levels of minerals—mainly calcium and magnesium. These minerals are naturally picked up as water flows through underground rocks like limestone and chalk.

Surprisingly, about 85% of households in the U.S. have hard water—even though most people don’t realize it.

2. Why is hard water a problem?

While safe to drink, hard water can dry out your skin, make hair rough and frizzy, and leave behind white mineral buildup on showerheads, faucets, and glass. It also makes soaps and shampoos less effective.

3. How do I know if I have hard water?

If your skin feels tight or dry after showering, your hair gets greasy fast or looks dull, or you see white spots on faucets or glass—those are all signs of hard water. You can also use a hardness test strip, which is included in our kit.

4. What does soft water feel like in the shower?

Soft water gives you a silky, slippery feeling on your skin during the shower. That’s not soap residue—it’s a sign your skin is actually clean and free of mineral buildup. Most users say their hair feels softer and their skin less itchy after switching to soft water.

5. Is hard water the only thing that affects hair and skin?

No—chlorine and other contaminants in tap water can also cause dryness, irritation, and long-term damage.

Chlorine is commonly used to disinfect municipal water, but it can strip away your skin’s natural oils and leave your hair feeling dry, brittle, or frizzy. Other impurities like heavy metals and organic compounds may also contribute to skin sensitivity and dull-looking hair.

6. Can shower filters fix hard water?

No. Most shower filters only remove chlorine and some basic impurities. They do not remove calcium and magnesium, which are the cause of hard water. You need a true water softener to solve the hard water problem.

About the SoftWaterCare System

1. What is the SoftWaterCare system?

SoftWaterCare is a 2-in-1 shower water purifier and softener, designed specifically to fix hard water problems during showering. It first filters out chlorine, heavy metals, and impurities using an ACF filter, and then softens the water by removing hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium.

2. How does it work?

Our system uses a two-stage process:

  1. The Activated Carbon Fiber filter removes chlorine, heavy metals, and other harmful impurities, making the water cleaner—but it’s still hard water at this point.
  2. The filtered water then passes through a resin tank, which removes calcium and magnesium ions. This final step transforms the water into true soft water that’s much gentler on your skin and hair.

3. What makes it different from a regular shower filter?

Most shower filters only focus on chlorine removal. They cannot soften hard water, which is why many users don’t see real improvements.

SoftWaterCare does both: deep purification + true water softening, giving you noticeably better shower water.

4. How does it compare to whole-house water softeners?

Whole-house systems are great—but they’re expensive and require permanent installation.

If you’re renting or just want better shower water, SoftWaterCare gives you a similar result for a fraction of the cost, with no plumbing required.

5. How is it different from products like the ShowerStick?

ShowerStick is a well-known shower softener, but it has some limitations:

  • It has a smaller resin tank, so you need to recharge every 3–5 days, which can be inconvenient.
  • It doesn’t include a filter, so it only softens water but doesn’t remove chlorine or other impurities that can also damage your hair and skin.
  • And it comes at a higher price, especially when you factor in the need to buy a separate filter.

SoftWaterCare includes both a high-capacity softener and a built-in ACF filter that removes chlorine, heavy metals, and more. You’ll only need to recharge about once a week, and you’ll get cleaner, softer water—all at a more affordable price.

6. Who is this system ideal for?

Anyone dealing with hard water—especially apartment renters, families with sensitive skin, or those who’ve tried shower filters and saw no improvement.

It’s a powerful, compact solution for anyone who wants better water in the shower without the cost and hassle of bigger systems.

System Installation

1. Is the system compatible with my shower?

Yes—as long as you’re using a handheld showerhead.

If you currently have a wall-mounted (fixed) showerhead, you’ll need to switch to a handheld one.

We also offer a compatible handheld shower set here:

👉 View Shower Set

2. Does the system work in all countries?

Yes. Our system uses a standard 1/2" (G1/2) connector, which is compatible with most showers worldwide.

No special tools or adapters are required.

3. How do I install the system?

Installation is simple and beginner-friendly.

We recommend watching our step-by-step video guide here:

👉 Installation Guide

If you need help, email us anytime at service@softwatercare.com.

4. How do I install the handheld showerhead?

If you’re replacing your showerhead with a handheld one, you can follow this general video guide:

👉 Watch on YouTube

5. What if I notice a leak after installation?

Leaks are rare but easy to fix. Here’s how to troubleshoot common cases:

  • Leak at the hose connection: Make sure the rubber O-ring is properly seated. Adjust or replace if needed.
  • Leak at the ACF filter cap: Use the included filter wrench to tighten the cap securely.
  • Leak at the brass elbow joint: Remove it using the brass wrench, apply extra plumber’s tape, then re-tighten.

Recharging the System

1. Why does the system need to be recharged?

The softener uses a special resin that captures hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium from your water. Over time, the resin becomes saturated and can’t soften effectively anymore.

Recharging the system with salt flushes out the built-up minerals and restores the resin’s ability to soften water—so you keep getting that clean, silky shower experience.

2. How do I know it’s time to recharge?

There are two easy ways:

  • Feel: During your shower, soft water feels slippery and smooth on your skin. If that sensation fades and the water no longer feels slippery, it’s time to recharge.
  • Test: Use the hardness test strips included in your kit to confirm when the water is no longer soft.

3. How do I recharge the system?

We’ve made it easy! Just follow our step-by-step video tutorial here:

👉 Recharge Guide

Need help? Reach out anytime at service@softwatercare.com.

4. Do I need to recharge before first use?

No recharge needed at first! Just turn the valve on and let water flow through the system for about 3 minutes. You might see yellow water at the beginning—don’t worry, that’s completely normal. It means the resin is flushing out initial dust and particles from manufacturing, which confirms your system is brand new. After that, the water will run clear and soft.

5. What kind of salt should I use?

You can use either of the following:

  • Non-iodized table salt – dissolves quickly and is easy to use
  • Water softener salt pellets – more affordable, but takes longer to dissolve

Tip: To speed up pellet salt, mix it with boiling water and wait 1–2 hours for it to dissolve. Be sure to let the water cool to room temperature before recharging.

6. What powers the pump? Can I plug it in?

The pump is powered via USB and is not designed to be plugged directly into a wall outlet.

Doing so is extremely dangerous and can damage the pump or cause serious safety issues.

Always use a portable USB power bank when recharging the system.

7. What if the pump stops working?

Sometimes during your second recharge, the pump may get stuck due to salt residue. Here’s how to fix it:

  1. Soak the pump in clean water for 1–2 hours.
  2. If it still doesn’t work, try opening the pump and soaking it again.
    👉 Watch how to open the pump

To prevent this, rinse the pump with clean water after every recharge.

Product Lifespan & Maintenance

1. How long does the resin last?

The resin inside the softener is highly durable. Under normal usage, it can last at least 5 years without needing replacement. You only need to recharge it regularly with salt—no frequent part changes required.

2. How often do I need to recharge the softener?

On average, one recharge lasts about 30 days for a single person showering 10 minutes a day in hard water conditions. Your actual recharge frequency may vary depending on how many people are using the system, your showering habits, and local water hardness.

3. How often should I replace the ACF filter?

The ACF filter lasts longer than standard shower filters. Here’s our recommendation:

  • 1 person: replace every 9 months
  • 2 people: replace every 6 months
  • 3 or more: replace every 3 months

This ensures optimal water purification and flow performance.

4. What temperature range can the system handle?

The system is designed to work best at temperatures below 122°F (50°C).

Typical shower temperatures (104–109°F / 40–43°C) are perfectly safe and will not affect performance.

You can enjoy your showers as usual—no adjustments needed.

Shipping Policy

1. Is shipping free?

Yes! We offer free standard shipping to the U.S., Canada, UK, and most European countries, with delivery in 7–10 days.

Need it sooner? You can upgrade to expedited shipping at checkout for $20, and receive your order in 2–5 days.

For other international regions, a $30 air shipping fee applies, with delivery typically in about 10 days.

2. Do you ship internationally?

Yes! We aim to offer worldwide shipping. Most regions are supported—you can check availability during checkout.

If your country isn’t listed, feel free to contact us at service@softwatercare.com. We’ll do our best to help.

3. Where do you ship from?

We ship from our warehouses in the U.S., Canada, UK, and Germany. Your order will be dispatched from the warehouse closest to your location for the fastest delivery possible.

4. Are there any extra fees like customs duties or VAT?

No. You won’t need to pay any additional fees—no customs duties, no VAT, and no hidden charges beyond product and shipping costs.

5. What if my package gets lost after delivery?

Once a package is marked as “delivered,” we consider it successfully fulfilled.

If it goes missing after delivery, we’ll help you contact the carrier, but we cannot offer compensation for packages lost after they’ve been delivered.

We recommend checking with your local courier or delivery driver in such cases.

Returns & Warranty

1. Can I return the product if I’m not satisfied?

Yes! We offer a 30-day return window. If you’re not satisfied for any reason, just contact us and we’ll help you start the return process.

2. Who pays for the return shipping?

Return shipping is the customer’s responsibility, but we provide two options:

  • We can generate a prepaid return label and deduct the return shipping cost from your refund.
  • Or you can ship the item back yourself, and we’ll provide a full refund once we receive it.

3. How do I start a return?

Just email us at service@softwatercare.com within 30 days of receiving your order. We’ll guide you through the process and provide the nearest return address.

4. Do you offer a warranty?

Yes. All SoftWaterCare systems come with a 2-year warranty.

If any part of your system fails or stops working within 2 years of purchase, just let us know. We’ll first help you troubleshoot the issue, and if it can’t be resolved, we’ll send you replacement parts free of charge.

If you have any questions, please email us at service@softwatercare.com. We’re here to help with any concerns or special requests!

 
 

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