what do you recommend for soft softening?

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For two person living in a 2-bd flat, so far we only have been using Brita water filter jug for drinking water. What are other alternatives?

Do you recommend installing some water taps with filter integrated for the kitchen?

Is it possible to get soft water for the shower as well?
Sometimes i saw people buying a big bag of water softener tabs from Costco. I assume they have a big house and have a big cold water tank for water supply. Not very feasible for a flat to have such water supply system?

If you've got space under the kitchen sink I'd recommend a reverse osmosis system with its own outlet for drinking water.

If you want soft water in the shower you'd need a dedicated water softener added inline to your plumbing and if you're going down this route you might as well soften all the water in the flat. Our system (not in UK) occupies about the same space as a washing machine. We put salt tablets in the softener and it softens the water as it comes in from the borehole. It uses quite a bit of salt (which remains in the water, by the way - it's slightly salty to the taste) and it uses phenomenal amounts of water too.

Tap water is fine - but I live in an area with soft water.

I used to live in Somerset with water that left such large deposits in the kettle I was clearing it out every 2 weeks. I never bothered about the shower, but used Calgon in the washing machine.

We have a tap which produces hot water for drinks & filters the drinking water at work. It seems the blinking thing constantly needs the filter replaced or other kinds of maintenance. I wouldn't have one at home for this reason.

I think for drinking water a Brita-type filter is the best way to go if you're in a hard water area.

Modern ion exchange softeners aren’t like that, I don’t think.

Our softener is about the size of a microwave and it doesn’t use a lot of water when it refreshes every night.

You could fit it below the kitchen sink depending on where your water connection comes into the flat.

We have a patmore softner which softens all the water in the house except the kitchen cold water tap. Uses block salt.