Alright, for those of you who just want a number to try while you sip your coffee: start with 25 if you have no iron and live in a typical suburban area. Then check your results after a week. If you have iron, start at 30. Adjust from there. But really, just test your water—it’s cheaper than guessing with salt.
And here’s the kicker: if you have a new smart softener, it might have a "auto" setting that guesses for you. Spoiler: it’s usually wrong. Those sensors are like a GPS that thinks your driveway is a river. Manual input is still king.
One final, slightly ironic tip
If you’re still confused, just remember: you’re not stupid—water softener manufacturers just love making things cryptic. They assume we all have chemistry degrees and a 24/7 desire to measure salt levels. You don’t. So test, add for iron, and don’t be afraid to tweak it.
Set it too low, and your pipes cry. Set it too high, and your wallet cries. Find that sweet spot, and your morning shower will feel like a spa. Unless you have a crappy showerhead—but that’s a whole different article.
