Sodium chloride is always preferred over potassium chloride. That’s because of their relative performance. Sodium chloride is supposed to perform better than potassium chloride.
However, potassium chloride is good for plants and the overall environment. It does not harm your water softener, but it comes with a high price tag. Read the article below to learn more about sodium chloride or potassium chloride for your water softener:
Key Takeaways:
- Sodium chloride is more efficient.
- Potassium chloride is good for human health.
- Potassium chloride is good for the environment.
- Potassium chloride is expensive.
- You can use both sodium chloride and potassium chloride in your water softener.
Differences between Sodium Chloride and Potassium Chloride
The differences between sodium chloride and potassium chloride are due to these elements: potassium and sodium. Sodium chloride is commonly known as the “Regular Table Salt.”
Potassium chloride might look the same as sodium chloride, but chemically, they are not the same. They differ in their properties. It’s like comparing a crystal with an ionic solid. You can’t expect them to have the same electronegativity.
Cost Efficiency
Water softener users prefer sodium chloride over potassium chloride because they feel that sodium chloride is cost-efficient. It saves money. You do not want to spend too much money on potassium chloride when you can get the same value at a lower price.
Environmental Impact
If you ignore the cost aspect, potassium chloride should be preferred over sodium chloride in terms of environmental impact. Potassium chloride used in water softeners produces soft water that is good for your soil. In other words, It can act as a fertilizer for the soil.
Health Impact
Unlike sodium chloride used in water softeners, potassium chloride is deemed better for human health. It does not lead to high blood pressure and can be beneficial for people with hypertensive disorders.
Performance
In terms of performance, you cannot compare potassium chloride with sodium chloride. Sodium chloride performs way better than potassium chloride. You can view it in terms of both cost and efficiency.
Benefits of Potassium Chloride
Potassium chloride used in water softeners is good for the environment. Soft water produced by a water softener can replenish potassium in your soil. Potassium chloride-based water softeners are deemed good for people with blood pressure problems.
Soft water produced by using potassium chloride can help maintain fluid balance in your body. It is also deemed suitable for your nerve function. People who drink soft water produced by using potassium chloride may have a lower risk of facing different health problems. These include heart diseases, high blood pressure, kidney stones, and osteoporosis.
Side Effects of Potassium Chloride
Soft water produced by potassium chloride-based water softeners may not be suitable for some people. It can lead to digestion troubles, vomiting, and diarrhea. Some people need to control their potassium intake, and it becomes impossible o control due to the high levels of potassium in their drinking water.
Is Potassium Chloride Good for Plants?
Yes, potassium chloride is good for plants. That’s because it carries a high amount of potassium that can be used to treat potassium deficiency in your soil. Potassium chloride is important for farmers as it helps them increase their farm yields.
Soft water produced by potassium chloride-based water softeners carries high amounts of potassium. In simple words, potassium-rich soft water can be a source of potassium for plants.
Can You Mix Sodium Chloride And Potassium Chloride Together?
If the cost factor is not an issue, you can mix both potassium chloride and sodium chloride. In this way, you may be able to control the sodium content in your soft water. Generally, people avoid using potassium chloride because it carries a high price tag.
Is It Safe to Switch From Potassium Chloride to Sodium Chloride?
Well, your water softener does not mind whether you use potassium chloride or sodium chloride. The ion exchange process in your water softener can work using either potassium chloride or sodium chloride. At the end of the day, the goal is to eliminate the levels of hard minerals in your water.
Where Can I Buy Potassium Chloride in Water Softener?
Potassium chloride can be obtained from your regular retailer or nearby hardware store. Some grocery stores can also provide potassium chloride for your water softener.
What is better for water softener salt or potassium?
Potassium chloride is good for human health and the environment. However, it is costly, and homeowners cannot simply burn their bills. Sodium chloride is better in terms of efficiency, and it does not carry a high price tag.
If money is not an issue, you can always come up with creative solutions. In plain words, you can mix both sodium chloride and potassium chloride. Do not worry. It will not harm your water softener, and you will be able to control the level of less desired minerals in your soft water.