If you buy a softener that’s too small, it’ll regenerate (clean itself) every other day. That wastes salt and water, and you’ll still get hard water spots. Trust me, you don’t want to wake up to slimy, half-soft water on Monday morning.
If you buy one that’s too big, the tank is so huge it might not fit under your sink. Plus, it regenerates only once every two weeks, letting bacteria sit in the resin. That’s gross and wasteful.
So aim for that happy middle. And remember: most manufacturers have charts online. You just plug in your numbers and they spit out a recommendation. You’re basically a water scientist now.
