Water Softeners
https://www.harveywatersofteners.co.uk/products/water-softeners/Our parallel system means both cylinders are in continuous use, so no water is left sitting in a cylinder.
50% OFF A WATER FILTER
https://www.harveywatersofteners.co.uk/promotions/50-percent-off-a-water-filter/Our UK-made water softener is ultra-reliable, eco-friendly, and compact. It merges top-tier twin-cylinder softening tech with a WiFi-enabled i-Lid for easy salt level monitoring via our app.
Black Friday 2024 Offer
https://www.harveywatersofteners.co.uk/promotions/black-friday-2024-offer-150-off-a-water-softener-installation/Our UK-made water softener is ultra-reliable, eco-friendly, and compact. It merges top-tier twin-cylinder softening tech with a WiFi-enabled i-Lid for easy salt level monitoring via our app.
New Home Owner 2024 Offer
https://www.harveywatersofteners.co.uk/promotions/new-home-owner-2024-offer/Our UK-made water softener is ultra-reliable, eco-friendly, and compact. It merges top-tier twin-cylinder softening tech with a WiFi-enabled i-Lid for easy salt level monitoring via our app.
£200 OFF A CULLIGAN HARVEY WATER SOFTENER |
https://www.harveywatersofteners.co.uk/promotions/200-off-a-harvey-water-softener/Our UK-made water softener is ultra-reliable, eco-friendly, and compact. It merges top-tier twin-cylinder softening tech with a WiFi-enabled i-Lid for easy salt level monitoring via our app.
Single vs Twin Cylinder
https://www.harveywatersofteners.co.uk/products/water-softeners/features/single-vs-twin-cylinder/Single vs Twin Cylinder Water Softener
How it Works
https://www.harveywatersofteners.co.uk/products/water-softeners/how-does-a-water-softener-work/The twin-cylinders inside a Harvey™ Water Softener are filled with millions of microscopic resin beads. Each bead has a negative charge, while calcium and magnesium carry positive charges in water. This means that, as the calcium and magnesium passes through the resin beads, they are attracted to one another. All that exits the water softener is pure, softened water, while the minerals stay behind in the beads. Sodium taken from the Harvey™ block salt completes the exchange.
Landing page HarveyArc
https://www.harveywatersofteners.co.uk/landing-page-harvey-arc/Our UK-made water softener is ultra-reliable, eco-friendly, and compact. It merges top-tier twin-cylinder softening tech with a WiFi-enabled i-Lid for easy salt level monitoring via our app.
Save £200 off your Soft Water
https://www.harveywatersofteners.co.uk/promotions/200-off-soft-water/It’s one of the smallest, non-electric twin cylinder softeners on the market.
Comparison HarveyArc
https://www.harveywatersofteners.co.uk/comparison/We have been manufacturing water softeners for over 40 years, making us the UK’s largest manufacturer and number one seller of twin-cylinder water softeners. Our factory trained specialist installers and surveyors help bring the British designed Culligan Harvey Water Softener into your home.
Water hardness checker
https://www.harveywatersofteners.co.uk/water-hardness-checker/You will start to notice the softened water removing existing scale from your home within two weeks. The time it takes to disappear completely will depend on the amount of scale you already had in your home. Typically, you can expect In 6 weeks, scale will be gone from your kettle. In 6 months, scale will be gone from your hot water cylinder ... Read More >
90 Day Money Back Guarantee
https://www.harveywatersofteners.co.uk/promotions/90-day-money-back-guarantee/Discover the benefits of our smart HarveyArc water softener with our 90-Day Money Back Guarantee. Designed to meet the needs of every home, the HarveyArc sets a new standard in water softening technology. As the smallest twin cylinder softener available, the HarveyArc works diligently to keep your home free from limescale. Enjoy reduced cleaning time, lower energy and water bills, and the added bonus of softer skin and hair for your entire family. Try the HarveyArc today and feel the difference, with the confidence of our 90-Day* Money Back Guarantee.
Guide to Buying A Water Softener
https://www.harveywatersofteners.co.uk/our-guide-to-buying-a-water-softener/Types of water softener Single cylinder and twin cylinder Water softeners typically come in single cylinder or twin cylinder varieties. Water softeners rely on a two-stage process involving the separation of the calcium and magnesium ions followed by their removal through the regeneration process. Single cylinder systems have to do the softening and cleaning processes consecutively, and struggle to keep up with large amounts of water usage. Twin cylinder systems are able to do both processes simultaneously to take the pressure off and regenerate continuously, guaranteeing you have a constant supply of softened water. The regeneration cycle is often triggered by an electrical timer, which regenerates the system when it is not typically in use (during the night or the working day, for example). For single cylinder systems, the result after significant water use is that hard water will flow from your taps and the regeneration cycle may take 4-5 days to complete, wasting water and salt in the meantime. This challenge is removed entirely with twin cylinder systems, as it can get everything done at the same time. Electric and non-electric Water softeners are available as electric or non-electric, with both types serving the same end purpose of softened water but operated in different ways. Electric water softeners use an electric timer to trigger the water softener to flush the resin bed with water and salt, so it can continue softening water. This means that sometimes the resin bed is cleansed before it’s necessary, therefore wasting both salt and water. Non-electric water softener systems work on a geared, throughflow model rather than an electric timer. All Harvey Water Softeners use a specially developed water displacement meter that only triggers the cleansing process when enough water has passed through it to make cleaning necessary. This means that the water softener only regenerates when it needs to – cutting down on salt and water wastage, and saving you money. Learn about electric and non-electric water softeners
Upgrade your softener
https://www.harveywatersofteners.co.uk/promotions/upgrade/The smarter way to get softened water for your home. Designed and manufactured here in the UK our latest water softener is the most reliable, compact and environmentally friendly softener available on the market. It combines the market-leading softening technology of the smallest twin cylinder softer on the market, with the WiFi-enabled i-Lid which integrates with the myHarvey app for automatic monitoring of salt levels.
Water Softener Regeneration
https://www.harveywatersofteners.co.uk/regeneration/The regeneration is the most technical part of the water softener. Once the resin has trapped all the hardness minerals it possibly can, a salt water solution (brine) needs to flush through the system to clean it out. The regeneration involves the water softener being flushed for 10 minutes using the block salt that is loaded into the machine. Each cylinder is cleaned one at a time to ensure softened water is provided to your home, uninterrupted. Hard water will never enter your system. The water is used to drive the brine (salt solution) regenerant through the water softener and then flush it ready for the next service cycle. The number of litres used for each regeneration is dictated by the design of the water softener, its size, and efficiency.
Harvey Bowden Biography
https://www.harveywatersofteners.co.uk/about/harvey-bowden-biography-inventor/The lightbulb moment After first trying his hand as an electrician, then a tyre-fitter, then a plumber, his life changed forever when, in 1975, his wife Ann bought a water softener. He was instantly converted to the benefits. Built for homes in hard water areas, this domestic appliance wasn’t familiar to many back then and Harvey saw the opportunity. Two years later he began selling water softeners door to door in Woking where he was living and then, in 1978, Harvey Water Softeners was born Decades of change (1981-2000): Revolution These were years of big social changes, and the same was true for Harvey. In 1981 he invented the world’s first compact, twin-cylinder softener. Small enough to fit under a sink and able to soften water without interruption, his invention shook up the industry and during the next two decades, Harvey Water Softeners grew and grew. All the while, Harvey’s innovations kept on coming. In 1995 he released the world’s first block salt softener, another step change for softening, and by the turn of the millennium his business had became the largest softener company in the UK. Our modern age (2001-2016): Unstoppable growth A new century and a new beginning for Harvey’s booming business. His son Casey joined the business in 2004; a new generation with new ideas for the future. In 2007, the business moved into a new home too; a 35,000 sq ft factory on Hipley Street in Old Woking, allowing it to expand even further and develop the first water softener designed and built in the UK. As the market for softeners grew, so did the company. Not even the financial crisis of 2008 could put paid to the company’s ambitions, as it carried on growing through banking bailouts, recession and austerity. In 2015, Harvey reached another milestone when he turned 65. He’d built a business from just him and his van into one of Woking’s largest employers – a manufacturing business turning over £20m a year, employing almost 200 staff and selling tens of thousands of softeners every year in the UK and Europe. “I’ve always believed that work has to be fun, so as I’ve built the business here I’ve wanted the people I work with to enjoy coming into the office every day too. The fact that we’ve had so many team members stay for years and even decades is, I hope, proof that this approach has worked.”
How to Remove Limescale from Kettle
https://www.harveywatersofteners.co.uk/blog/how-to-remove-limescale-from-your-kettle/Our UK-made water softener is ultra-reliable, eco-friendly, and compact. Designed to fit under the kitchen sink, the advanced twin cylinder design requires no programming or maintenance. Compact design In-app salt monitoring system included Modern, stylish design
Why buy the best water softener?
https://www.harveywatersofteners.co.uk/blog/why-buy-best-water-softener/Why Buy the Best Water Softener? The water softener industry is certainly one where ‘buy cheap, buy twice’ applies. There are some cheaper models of softener on the market but they are by no means as worthwhile. Considering it is a device that your whole water supply passes through, day in and day out, good build quality is essential. Our softeners are rigorously tested and manufactured to a very high standard of quality and materials. The materials are food grade, though I wouldn’t recommend trying to consume your water softener! More Accurate Technology Some of the inferior and older models have complicated electric mechanisms. Firstly, this is a waste of power and secondly they are far less accurate than the precise metering system of Harvey Softeners. Prevent Wastage Unnecessary regenerations waste water and consume more salt. Poorly timed regenerations can let hard water into your supply. In any case, other softeners use more salt and water to regenerate anyway and are therefore more wasteful. If you’ve had one of our home demonstrations, you would have seen that it only takes a small amount of hardness to put a dampener (pun intended) on the some of the benefits of soft water. Dual Cylinders Older machines, especially single cylinder tend to be large and unsightly. I’ve even seen cases where inferior single tank water softeners have been recommended, solely based on cost. Our dual cylinder systems mean that when one tank has reached capacity, the other takes over, leaving the first tank free to regenerate. This means that the flow of soft water is uninterrupted. It also means that the water used during the regeneration is soft, which helps to reduce the amount required. Flow Rates & Pressure Our softeners have a very strong flow rate and can cope with nominal pressures. The combination of our clever design and skilled installers can mean that our softener is still an option where others are not. Conclusion Our block salt softeners boast: Reliability Safe materials The greatest efficiency The optimal technology Great flow rates We’ve been designing water softeners that make a difference to people’s lives for over 50 years. Find out exactly how our water softeners work and discover the science behind their outstanding performance and reliability. Discover The Difference – Take the first step to banishing limescale – see how a water softener works – Find Out More
Save money with a water softener
https://www.harveywatersofteners.co.uk/blog/how-much-money-can-i-save-water-softener/If you are based in a hard water area, there are plenty of reasons to install a water softener in the home, the main reason being to save money. By process of ion exchange, the water softener will draw out the magnesium and calcium ions, the mineral content which makes it ‘hard’ in the first place. Having soft water flowing through your household will limit the accumulation of scale and scum and will actually provide treatment to areas where it has formed. You will also notice the water feels different, smooth and silky on the skin providing much more effective washes when combined with soap and washing detergents. These are the benefits to your household, the things you will notice immediately. Gradually, you will also find yourself saving a lot more money. Simple ways to save water Wash vegetables in a bowl, not under a running tap Don’t use ‘half-load’ programmes on your washing machine – these don’t save much water and its much more efficient to wash a full load each time Keep a bottle of tap water in the fridge – this saves you running the tap until it’s cold every time you want a drink Shower rather than bathe – a five-minute shower uses a third of the water of a bath Fix dripping taps – a dripping tap can waste up to 15 litres of water a day (it’s quick and easy to replace a worn-out washer) Fit a water-saving device in your toilet cistern – you can get these for free by contacting your water company. If you’d rather not wait, just put a standard two-litre water bottle in there, with sand or pebbles as ballast Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth – this wastes a lot of water unnecessarily Use water wisely in the garden – watering your plants while it’s cool reduces water lost to evaporation, and you can add organic matter to your soil to improve water retention Shopping Soft water is a solvent meaning it can dissolve other chemicals easily. Due to hard water’s mineral content, the water is more inert or less capable of sustaining a reaction. When combined with soap, it won’t create a proper lather leading to you having to waste more and more detergent just to get an effective clean. With soft water you can use a fraction of the amount and still gain a better clean, that will preserve the fabrics of your clothes. We have calculated the following savings based on an average home of a family of four. Item Monthly Cost Percentage Saving You Save Bars of Soap £2.50 50% £1.95 Liquid Soap £2.20 50% £1.10 Shower Gel £1.90 50% £0.95 Shampoo £3.20 50% £1.60 Hair Conditioner £3.20 75% £2.40 Bubble Bath £2.80 100% £2.80 Hand Cream £3.70 75% £2.78 Body Lotion £6.70 75% £5.03 Razor Blades £6.00 50% £3.00 Shaving Soap £2.90 50% £1.45 Floor Cleaner £1.90 50% £0.95 Washing up liquid £1.90 50% £0.95 Toilet Cleaner £2.60 75% £1.95 Bathroom/Kitchen Cleaner £1.60 50% £0.80 Dishwasher Cleaner £3.00 50% £1.50 Shower Shine £1.80 100% £1.80 Washing Powder £6.79 75% £5.10 Fabric Conditioners £3.00 75% £2.25 Dishwasher Powder £7.00 75% £5.25 Dishwasher Salt £1.40 100% £1.40 Washing Machine Descaler £12.00 100% £12.00 General Scale Removers £2.90 100% £2.90 Kettle Descaler £2.20 100% £2.20 As you can see this greatly reduces your shopping bill by over £65. Energy Sales The average household in a hard water area, will gain at least 1.5mm of scale building within its internal plumbing over a year. Scale is an insulator and will transfer the heat of your system less effectively. A buildup of just 1.5mm is enough to reduce your heating efficiency by at least 12%. Again the following figures are provided on the basis of an average family home belonging to two adults and two children. Item Cost Saved Fuel Saving £7.80 Capital Depreciation £13.43 This represents a saving of at least £240 on your heating bill over one year. In addition, softened water is expected to preserve your boiler’s life span to the standard 15 years. Installing a water softener acts as a long term investment, that will save you greater amounts of money over the years. The favourite non electrical twin cylinder water softening unit contains no moving parts, it works automatically and is able to cope with the larger demands of water in the family home. All you need to do is add salt, in the form of block salt that costs as little as £7.58 a month. Independent studies have been undertaken to quantify greenhouse gas reduction through the use of a water softener. One such article concludes that water softeners and RO units together will reduce greenhouse gases equivalent to getting one and a third cars off the road for an entire year! We also have studies showing just how the efficiency of a boiler will drop with just a small amount of scale build up. A water softener will remove all scale from your heating system and prevent any future recurrence, allowing your system to function as it was designed to do. Carbon emissions Carbon emissions are becoming an increasingly important aspect of our lives in the search for new, environmentally friendly technology. With a Harvey Water Softener, you can lower your carbon footprint while keeping your water and salt usage down, by picking the most efficient softener available. Book a demonstration to find out how you can save money and energy with a water softener. At Harvey Water Softeners, we're passionate about helping people save money on their household bills. Our water softeners can help you spend less on bottled water, bathroom and cleaning products, repairs and replacements of kitchen and bathroom appliances and fittings. Find out how you can pay for your new water softener gradually with our flexible payment options. Cut Household Costs and save on products, repairs and replacements - spread the cost with one of our flexible payment plans. Click here to explore now. Interested in the benefits of a Harvey Water Softener? Get in touch with our expert Harvey team by filling in the form below.
Our First Eco-Friendly Water Softener - HarveyArc
https://www.harveywatersofteners.co.uk/blog/harveyarc/We are proud to announce our new water softener, the HarveyArc. We have created this product with the environment in mind, cutting the amount of plastic used by 38%. Every day, over 8 million pieces of plastic make their way into our oceans, killing our wildlife and polluting our planet. We’ve been working hard for years now to find a way to produce our market leading water softener - and all of its resilience, functionality and ergonomic beauty - in a way that will continue to provide you with the highest quality of water, while reducing our environmental impact. The result of our research is now here, and we’re sure you’re going to love it as much as we do! The HarveyArc offers everything our old model did but, rather than being made from fresh plastic, it is now made from 62% recycled plastic from a clean plastic source. This means that 84 tonnes of plastic, which would normally go to landfill, will now be reused to create the HarveyArc. HarveyArc features Our new water softener has a range of great new features and differs from our previous models. Here are some features that are unique to the HarveyArc: Tested to over 1 million cycles, beyond British standards to be robust and reliable Smart shuttle metering Accurate metering for maximum flow rates Advanced resin bead formula Parallel System for a continuous fresh water supply - both cylinders are in continuous use, so no water is left sitting in a cylinder for any period of time Eco cabinet - made from recycled plastic from a clean source. Curved mini block salt - lighter and easier to load, maximising the space in the water softener The UK’s smallest twin cylinder water softener just got smaller. The HarveyArc is compact enough to fit neatly under your sink, perfect for everyday home use. It is suitable for homes with 1-3 bathrooms. Using our unique twin cylinder design, the HarveyArc supplies your home with softened water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The HarveyArc is non-electric and only regenerates when necessary, which will save you energy and lower your running costs. Rigorously tested to over 1 million cycles at our factory, you have the confidence it is the most reliable water softener on the market. Click here to start your soft water journey and get a quote today!
Hard Water Home Havoc
https://www.harveywatersofteners.co.uk/blog/hard-water-havoc-how-limescale-invades-every-corner-of-your-home/Hard water might sound like a minor inconvenience, but it’s more like an uninvited guest that overstays its welcome, causing chaos in every room or area of your home. From the garden to the bathroom, let's take a tour of the areas of your home that are most vulnerable to hard water damage and the pesky limescale that comes with it. Buckle up, because we’re diving into the nooks and crannies of hard water havoc! The Garden Sprinklers and Hoses Your lush green lawn and vibrant flowers depend on a steady supply of water, but hard water can turn your garden's lifeline into a liability. Sprinklers and hoses are prime targets for limescale build-up, which can clog the tiny nozzles and reduce water flow. This can result in uneven watering, leaving parts of your garden parched and others flooded. Water Features Fountains and ponds can add a touch of serenity to your garden, but hard water can mar their beauty with unsightly limescale deposits. Over time, this build-up can damage pumps and reduce the efficiency of water circulation, potentially leading to stagnant, murky water. Swimming Pools and Hot Tubs Nothing beats relaxing by the pool on a summer's day, or even as the weather warms up maybe a quick dip. But wait, hard water is making your pool and hot tub filters work even harder and look even worse when they start to fail. Similar to water features, this build-up can then damage filters, pumps and reduce the efficiency of water circulation, potentially leading to stagnant, murky water - not so relaxing. The Kitchen Dishwashers Your dishwasher is your trusty sidekick in the battle against dirty dishes, but hard water can undermine its efforts. Limescale can coat the heating elements, making it harder for your dishwasher to reach the temperatures needed for a thorough clean. This means your dishes might come out spotty and less than sparkling. Faucets and Sinks Hard water can leave your kitchen faucets and sinks looking less than pristine. Those chalky white deposits around your faucet base are more than just an eyesore; they can cause corrosion over time, potentially leading to leaks and drips that waste water and hike up your utility bills. Coffee Makers and Kettles If you’re a coffee or tea enthusiast, hard water is your nemesis. Limescale can build up inside your coffee maker or kettle, affecting the sight and taste of your beverages and reducing the appliance’s efficiency. Regular descaling is necessary to keep your morning brew tasting just right. The Bathroom Showers and Tubs Your shower and bathtub are prime real estate for limescale deposits. Showerheads can become clogged, reducing water pressure and turning your refreshing morning ritual into a dribble. Bathtubs can develop stubborn rings of limescale that require serious elbow grease to remove. Toilets Hard water can leave unsightly stains in your toilet bowl, making it look perpetually dirty. Over time, these deposits can also interfere with the flushing mechanism, leading to inefficiencies and potential clogs. Bathroom Tiles and Glass The beautiful tiles and glass surfaces in your bathroom can fall victim to hard water spots and limescale. These deposits can dull the shine and make cleaning a nightmare, as they tend to cling stubbornly to surfaces. The Laundry or Utility Room Washing Machines Your washing machine is another appliance that suffers in silence from hard water. Limescale can coat the heating element and drum, reducing the machine’s efficiency and potentially leading to costly repairs. Clothes washed in hard water might also feel rough and look dingy due to mineral residue. Boilers, Water Heaters and Tanks The unsung hero of your home, the water heater, is especially vulnerable to hard water damage. Limescale build-up inside the tank can insulate the heating element, forcing the heater to work harder and longer to warm your water. This not only drives up energy costs but can also shorten the lifespan of the appliance. The Living Room Humidifiers Humidifiers help maintain a comfortable atmosphere in your living spaces, but hard water can sabotage their efforts. Limescale can clog the mechanisms and create a breeding ground for bacteria, compromising the quality of the air you breathe. Irons If you use a steam iron to keep your clothes looking crisp, hard water can cause problems here too. Limescale can clog the steam vents, leading to less effective ironing and potential water stains on your clothes. The Garage Car Washing Equipment For those who love to keep their cars sparkling clean, hard water is a formidable foe. Car washing equipment like pressure washers and hoses can suffer from limescale build-up, reducing their efficiency and leaving water spots on your vehicle. Combating Hard Water: Solutions Now that we’ve toured the trouble spots, it’s time to talk solutions. Here are a few tips to keep hard water from wreaking havoc in your home: Water Softeners: Installing a water softener can significantly reduce the mineral content in your water, protecting your appliances and plumbing and everything within your home. We don't recommend having a garden line on a water softener due to sodium content in the water, but that's where our next solution comes in. No more time and energy spent on cleaning, scrubbing or using harsh chemicals in your home as the limescale simply doesn't form. Reverse Osmosis System (and Remin): Installing an RO will strip out all the unwanted and nasty elements from your drinking water including bacteria and viruses as well as PFAS (forever chemicals). Coupled with a Remin device, this allows you to get more of the good minerals that don't create limescale build-up. Regular Cleaning: Regular descaling and cleaning of appliances can prevent limescale build-up. Products specifically designed to tackle limescale are your best bet. Vinegar and Baking Soda: These household staples are great for natural, DIY cleaning. Vinegar is especially effective against limescale when used regularly. By staying vigilant and proactive, you can keep your home safe from the sneaky sabotage of hard water and limescale. Your appliances and fixtures will thank you! For more information or to schedule a demonstration, please contact us by submitting a form or call our customer service team. HarveyArc Water Softener Suitable for the majority of family homes Our latest, high-tech water softening system. Non-electric, dual parallel softening systems means 24/7 soft water, less waste during regeneration and keeps limescale gone for good. For the average family home Twin cylinder Non-electric design Requires Mini Curve salt blocks Daily capacity: 3000 litres Regeneration water use: 17 litres Dimensions: H:487mm x D:438mm x W:202mm BUY NOW Profine ZERO Reverse Osmosis Filter System Pure H20, no contaminants Our latest, high-tech Reverse Osmosis water filter system. Designed to deliver 24/7 fresh and clean, filtered drinking water and removes taste, odours, particulates and PFAS (forever chemicals) Carbon Block pre filter Position: Under-sink mounted. Key function: Taste, odours, heavy metals, PFAS (forever chemicals) and dissolved salt Flow rate: 3 litres/minute Capacity: 7,000L Servicing: Yearly Harvey Engineer Service Compatible with: N/A BUY NOW
How to Use Salt Tablets for a Water Softener: A Guide to Tablet Salts
https://www.harveywatersofteners.co.uk/blog/how-to-use-tablets-for-water-softener/Water softener salt is typically made from food-grade salt that is refined to create tablet salts, block salts, or granular salts. Tablet salts are ideal for preventing limescale buildup, as they dissolve easily and reduce the need for frequent tank cleaning. In fact, many consider salt tablets to be the standard for water softeners. In this guide, we will discuss what sets them apart from other forms of salt, as well as how to get the best value and performance from your tablet salts. What are the types of water softener salt? First things first: how do tablets compare to the other types of water softener salts available to you? Grade AA tablet salts are built to dissolve evenly, reducing the residue that would otherwise be left in your water softener. All Culligan Harvey water softeners are supported by grade AA salts, ensuring effective ion exchange and reduced maintenance throughout the year. Note: Always check the guidance for your water softener to be sure you’re using the correct type of salt. Using the wrong variety may damage your softener. Tablet salts Tablet salts are small pellets of high-quality salt, easy to unload into the brine tank of your water softener. It is also considered to be high-purity compared to other types of water softener salts, but this can vary. Table salts are compatible with most domestic or commercial water softener systems, and are the most common form of water softener salt due to their ease of use and efficient dissolution rate. Block salts Block salts can be more expensive than tablet salts, but generally are easier to place in your brine tank, as you are dealing with one large block of salt instead of many small pellets. This type of salt also lasts longer between refills than tablet salts, as it takes longer to dissolve. Be careful to use a high-quality block salt with no caking agents or additional minerals- AA-grade salt should be 99% pure, meaning you’ll get the best value for your money with no damage to your system. Granular salts Granular salts are typically on the more expensive side of the scale, and resemble table salt to an extent, in that these are small granules often no larger than 2-6 mm. They are mostly used in older water softeners, swimming pools, and dishwashers. This type of salt is designed for maximum performance, dissolving easily whether it’s placed into a domestic or industrial softener. How to use salt tablets for water softener Using tablet salts in your water softener is fairly simple: Identify the brine tank – This is the compartment where the salt is stored and dissolved to create the brine needed to soften your water. Add the salt to the recommended level – In general, you’ll need to fill about two-thirds of your tank. The amount of salt you require depends on the amount of water your household uses, but be sure to keep your softener well-stocked, checking salt levels at least once a month. You can even monitor your salt levels remotely with the MyHarvey App. Run your softener as needed – Keep an eye on the salt levels. Many water softeners automatically ‘regenerate’ when needed, a process that requires salt to maintain your system’s performance. How to use block salt in your water softener As with tablet salts, you’ll need to understand where your brine tank is and how to load it - luckily, this is fairly easy with block salts. Note: Block salt can also be hazardous to your water softener if it is not compatible with your system, so be sure to check before you start. To use salt blocks, you should have a ‘post-fill’ water softener that refills the brine tank with water at the end of each regeneration cycle. Place your water softener salt blocks in the brine tank. Depending on the size of your system and the size of the blocks, you may need to stack a few on top of each other. In general, having the tank one-quarter to one-half full of block salt should be enough. Ensure the blocks are submerged in water - this will enable them to dissolve easily. Leaving some space in your tank will also prevent ‘bridging’, where salt hardens and causes issues for your machine. You’ll need to replace block salt less often than granular or tablet salt, but it’s still worth monitoring the salt levels in your machine and topping up when necessary to keep everything running smoothly. How to use granular salt in your water softener Granular salt is best suited for older models of softener, as well as general dishwasher use. As with block salt, it is best to fill the brine tank until it is roughly one-quarter to one-half full, to ensure all salt dissolves properly. Simply pour the salt into the brine tank as recommended. Regularly check and clean your brine tank - Granular salt may be more likely to ‘clump’ together on the sides of your water softener system, eventually forming a ‘sludge’ as the salt dissolves. Use a high-quality, AA-grade salt to minimise the likelihood of such buildup. Do not use granular salt in your water softener if you have previously used tablet or block salt, as this can result in significant performance problems and ultimately ruin your water softener. Where can I buy tablet salt for my water softener? Most water softener brands sell complimentary salts. However, there are several things you should consider to ensure the salt you select will provide the best value for your machine without causing any damage. Look for high-quality, grade A salt with +99% purity- this will reduce the risk of any residue or ‘sludge’ building up in your water softener. High-quality salt will also dissolve more easily in your softener, reducing the risk of issues like clogs or bridging that could otherwise lead to costly repairs. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure you use the right type of salt for your machine. Don’t be turned away by a high price tag- more expensive salts can actually save you money in the long run, as you’ll need to replace these less often and your water softener will run more efficiently overall. Avoid salts with unnecessary additives – pure sodium chloride is suitable for most machines. Low-quality salt can void your water softener warranty, so be sure to make a sensible choice when selecting the right salt for your system. We offer grade AA water softener salt without unnecessary anti-caking agents or additives, with next working day delivery available. How do I know how much salt I’ll need? When buying water softener salt, it can be tricky to understand how much you’ll need to enjoy softened water with no complications. Here are a few things to keep in mind: Understand the make and model of the water softener you have Salt usage varies significantly between single-cylinder, double-cylinder machines, and also the size of your water softener system. Newer models typically run more efficiently and require less salt. Water softeners with larger brine tanks, of course, hold more salt. While this can mean you don’t need to refill your tank as frequently, it can also mean your system requires more salt per regeneration cycle. Understand how much water you use A single person uses approximately 149 litres of water per day in the UK, while a four-person household uses upwards of 400 litres. The more water you use, the more your water softener will run, and the more salt you’ll need to ensure the system can regenerate properly. Understand the water hardness level where you live The harder the water where you live, the more salt you will need to soften it. Consult the directions relevant to your water softener system for further guidance. In general, allowing salt levels to regularly drop below the water line, while also regularly adding more salt, will keep your water softener functioning properly. Meet the mini-curve: water softener salt made better Harvey Mini Curve Salt is the unspoken fourth type of salt, compatible with the HarveyArc water softener. It is made with quality grade A salt and carries all the benefits of block salts: It is compact and light, making it easy to transport It is larger than tablet salts, making it last longer without sacrificing efficiency Mini Curve Salt is perfect for use with the Smart HarveyArc, shaped to fit perfectly into the system so you never wonder if you’re using enough salt - you know you are. Learn more about our water softener salts here. Water softener salt FAQ Can water softener salt be unhealthy? For most people, water softener salt will not impact your wellbeing in any way. However, for people on an extremely low-sodium diet prescribed by a medical professional, it may be recommended to avoid drinking softened water. Is water softener salt safe for pets? Some people find themselves concerned about the increase in sodium levels in softened water, especially when furry friends get involved. However, this does not present any risk in healthy pets. In dogs with cardiovascular issues, this may be a concern, but the majority of pets will not be affected. How long does water softener salt last? On average, most new water softener models need new salt every 6-8 weeks. However, this can vary according to your household water usage, water hardness in your area, and the type of salt you use. What can I use water softener salt for? While water softener salt can be considered ‘food grade’, it is not advised to eat it. Instead, use it to soften water, melt ice or snow outside your home, kill weeds, or deter slugs and snails.