Can I Use Potassium Chloride In My Water Softener? Let's Find Out!

Last Updated on November 1, 2022 by Simon

Potassium chloride in water softener?

Yes, you can use potassium chloride to treat your water softener tank. It is a very effective and safe way of treating your water softener system.

You will need to add the salt to the top of the tank and the bottom of the tank. The amount of salt needed depends on how much water you have running through your system at any given time.

You should find this information online or by calling your local water treatment plant.

Potassium chloride is an excellent choice for treating your water softener because it does not leave behind any harmful chemicals that could damage your pipes or other plumbing fixtures.

What are the main differences between salt and potassium water softeners?

Saltwater softener works by adding sodium chloride into the water supply. This causes the water to become less salty, making it easier for the body to process.

A potassium water softener works by removing calcium from the water supply. Calcium is what gives water hardness. 

Hard water is harder to drink because it contains higher minerals such as magnesium and calcium.

The best way to soften hard water is to use a potassium-based softener.

Why is potassium water softener so expensive?

These water softeners are expensive because they require more electricity than regular saltwater systems.

This is because they work differently. Saltwater softener uses electrolysis to remove ions from the water.

A potassium water softener removes calcium from the water using ion-exchange.

  • Health benefits

Potassium chloride has positive health effects. They help reduce high blood pressure, lower cholesterol, prevent kidney stones, and protect against cancer.

  • Health concerns and health conditions

Potassium chloride is considered safe when used properly. However, if you are pregnant or have a medical condition, consult your doctor before using potassium chloride.

Too much potassium intake may cause hyperkalemia (high blood potassium). Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, weakness, irregular heartbeat, muscle twitching, confusion, seizures, coma, and death.

  • Environmental benefits

 Potassium is also a healthier option for environmental purposes. It takes less energy to make potassium chloride compared to salt water softener.

It's also better for our environment because it doesn't create waste as saltwater does.

Can you mix salt and potassium in a water softener system?

Mixing salt to your potassium chloride water softener system is possible but not recommended.

When mixing salts together, there is always the chance that one type of salt may react with another type of salt.

If you decide to mix salts together, make sure that you follow all safety precautions.

The chloride water softener salt should only be added to the top of the water softener tank.

Are any changes in settings needed when you switch from sodium chloride to potassium chloride?

Using this water softener requires some adjustments to your water softening system.

  • First, you'll want to adjust the setting on your water pump. If you're using a standard water softener, you can set the pump to deliver about 1/2 gallon per minute.
  • Next, you will need to add more chlorine to the water. The amount of chlorine depends on how much salt you've added.
  • You can check the chlorine level in your water by testing it with a test kit.

Once you know how much chlorine you need, you can add it to the water simultaneously as the salt.

What is regenerant used for?

The regenerant for water softeners is a chemical compound called KCl.

KCl is commonly used in water softeners because it is inexpensive, easy to produce, and effective at removing calcium and other minerals from water.

It also achieves a smooth water softening process and is a feasible option for those who don't like the taste of salt.

Why use potassium chloride instead of sodium chloride?

Using sodium intake is bad for your body. Sodium causes fluid retention and hypertension.

However, using potassium chloride helps people avoid these problems.

Sodium chloride is found naturally in seawater, making it ideal for water softeners.

Sodium ions are essential for life, so we get them through food.

However, too much sodium can lead to serious health issues.

In fact, the World Health Organization recommends limiting daily sodium intake to no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium levels.

Excess sodium consumption has been linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and kidney stones.

On the contrary, potassium chloride is non-toxic.

It's also easier to find potassium chloride than sodium chloride.

Questions about sodium chloride

Is there any substitute for sodium chloride?

Try using Himalayan pink sea salt instead to find a salt substitute. 

It has no additives and contains minerals such as magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, iodine, manganese, copper, and selenium.

How to use sodium chloride regenerant?

Sodium chloride is used for cleaning and deodorizing air conditioning systems. 

The salt is added to the system and then heated up to remove odours and impurities from the air. This process is called regeneration.

Enough amounts of sodium have essential nutrients. It is important for our body.

But if you take too much sodium, it may cause some health problems.

So, it is better to use potassium chloride instead of salt.

The difference between potassium chloride and sodium chloride

The key differences between the two salts are their effects on human bodies.

  • Potassium chloride is safer than sodium chloride. It does not contain sodium or causes any harm to humans.

Therefore, it is considered to be a safe alternative to salt.

  • Sodium chloride, however, has many negative side effects. It increases blood pressure and leads to fluid retention.

This means that it can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and strokes.

The final verdict

Potassium ions help regulate the balance of fluids in the body. They also maintain the proper pH level of blood.

As a result, they play an important role in maintaining good health.

That said, potassium chloride is a safe and cost-effective alternative to salt.

It is especially recommended for people with sensitive skin and those who do not like the salty flavour of salt.

Article Written & Fact Checked By

Maria

I have always had a profound love for reading, which naturally evolved into writing too! This passion for the art of crafting stories using words lead me to a path of web content managing. I have previously managed portfolios for my clients' writing requirements, with each website containing anywhere from 5 all the way to 5,000 pages; my day was easily filled with spreadsheets and databases of content. My current focus is BestReviews.co.uk where I am the Lead Editor and Content Stategist!
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