Here in Minnesota, almost everybody needs a water softener for their home because our water is naturally very hard. But what kind should you get? There are two types — salt and saltless water softeners. Would a saltless water softener be better for household use? We consider water “hard” when it has an overly-high concentration of certain minerals — calcium and magnesium, in particular. Over time, those minerals can take a toll on our skin, hair, clothes, kitchenware, dishes, plumbing fixtures, and appliances. It’s annoying, to say the least. And it can be costly, too. Soft water prevents these problems,