We switched to a salt-free system last year, and I totally get what you're saying about the lather. At first, I thought something was wrong with our soap or shampoo because it just felt... flat? I even went out and bought like three different brands thinking maybe it was just me being picky.
Eventually, I found that shampoos labeled specifically for hard water actually helped a bit—even though technically our water isn't "hard" anymore. Weird, right? But they seem formulated to lather better in tricky water conditions. It's not exactly the same as before, but it's definitely an improvement. Might be worth checking out if you're missing that bubbly feeling.
Honestly though, after dealing with crusty buildup on fixtures for years at our old place, I'll gladly take slightly less foam over scrubbing faucets every weekend. Trade-offs indeed...
We went salt-free too, and I noticed the same thing with soaps and shampoos. But honestly, the fixture buildup was driving me nuts enough that I was willing to experiment a bit. Here's what worked for us:
First, I swapped out our aerators on the faucets for ones specifically labeled as "easy-clean" or "anti-scale." They're not perfect, but they definitely slow down the buildup. Every couple of weeks, I just unscrew them and soak in vinegar for about 15 minutes—quick scrub with an old toothbrush and they're good as new.
Second, I started using a silicone-based faucet wax (sounds fancy but it's just a wipe-on product from the hardware store). It creates a thin barrier that makes water bead up and roll off instead of drying into crusty spots. You have to reapply every month or so, but it takes like two minutes.
Between those two things, my fixtures look way better without constant scrubbing. Still miss that rich lather sometimes though... guess you can't have everything.
Interesting approach with the silicone wax—never thought of that. I've been dealing with similar buildup issues since we switched to salt-free. Vinegar soaks help, but honestly, I'm wondering if fixture material makes a difference? We have brushed nickel, and it seems to show spots way more than our old chrome ones did. Has anyone noticed certain finishes holding up better against buildup, or is it just me being overly picky?
I've noticed something similar with brushed nickel—seems like it's a magnet for spots. A couple things I've picked up recently:
- Matte black fixtures seem to hide buildup better, at least from what friends have mentioned. Haven't tried them myself yet though.
- Chrome does seem easier overall, probably because it's smoother and more reflective. Spots are still there, just less noticeable.
- I've also heard that finishes with a coating (like PVD) resist buildup better...anyone know if that's actually true?
Honestly, I don't think you're being overly picky—these little things drive me nuts too.
I've actually had matte black fixtures for about a year now, and while they do hide spots better initially, I've noticed they show soap scum pretty clearly after a while—especially if you're in an area with hard water. Chrome's definitely easier to quickly wipe down, but I think the key is really how often you're willing to clean. Curious if anyone's tried a water softener system...does that make a noticeable difference with fixture buildup?
