First up: your hands. Wash them with plain soap—no fancy, moisturizing stuff. If your water is soft, you’ll get a rich, fluffy lather in seconds, and your hands will feel squeaky clean afterward.
Hard water? You’ll struggle to work up a lather, and your skin might feel sticky or filmy. That film is actually soap scum sticking to you—yuck! If your suds are abundant, your softener is likely doing its happy dance.
The Spot Test
Now, look at your dishes. When you pull a glass from the dishwasher, are there water spots or a hazy film? No spots? That’s the golden ticket. Soft water rinses cleanly—no mineral deposits to dull your glassware.
If you do see spots, your softener might be slacking—or just need a refill of salt. But if your glasses sparkle like diamonds, give yourself a little high-five. Your softener is winning.
