NEWBURY, OH -- Whether you’re the early bird who gets a head start on spring cleaning in March, or you’re the person who delays major cleaning until the fall, there are probably a number of household chores that you really dread each year. Like cleaning windows, for instance. They can take all day and in the end, the streaks left behind leave them looking little better than when you first started.

But cleaning problems such as these can be remedied quickly with one key ingredient -- good, clean, soft water. That’s because soft water is void of the hardness minerals, calcium and magnesium, which along with streaking windows can wreak havoc around the entire house in the form of soap scum, lime curd, bathtub and toilet rings and the like. In addition, name-brand cleaning solutions, such as glass cleaner, can be expensive. By simply adding a few drops of dish detergent to soft water, consumers can obtain great results for a lot less money.

The water quality experts at Kinetico Incorporated, a leading manufacturer of quality water conditioners and drinking water systems, point out that there are many household cleanup jobs that are made easier with high-quality, conditioned water, including: window screens, shower curtains, floors, walls, mirrors and automobiles. Even the family dog cleans up better and faster without hardness minerals in the water that can interfere with the lathering and cleaning process.

But it’s not just those once-a-year big cleaning jobs that are made easier with soft water. Everyday cleaning tasks become less of a chore, because soft water requires less muscle and scrubbing. An Ohio State university study demonstrated that soft water reduces the amount of time spent on weekly household cleaning from four hours to two hours and 21 minutes -- a savings of more than 10 eight-hour working days per year. That’s because stainless steel sinks, chrome and brass faucets, bath tubs, toilet bowls, dishes, glasses and silverware have fewer spots that wipe away easily.

Items that come in contact with soft water also require less frequent cleaning, because soap scum and lime curd aren’t building up, tainting once shiny appliances and fixtures. So everything stays newer looking longer.

With conditioned water, even clothes get cleaner. Washing them requires less detergent and cooler temperatures. And without hard mineral buildup, clothes can be washed again and again without that dingy, yellowed look.

On a more personal level, hair and skin also get extra clean and stay softer and more manageable with soft water because there is no drying soap residue left behind.

The reality, however, is that few homes have naturally soft water. A U.S. geological study shows that 85 percent of American homes are supplied with hard water. To remove hardness minerals and the many cleaning problems they create, many homeowners use a water conditioner.

If you’re in the market for softer water, Kinetico offers the following tips to ensure sparkling results:

First test your water so you know exactly what problems you need to solve. A local water treatment expert can perform a preliminary analysis at no charge.

Get a water quality professional to recommend the right system and install it to avoid future plumbing problems and ensure proper operation. Don’t rely on off-the-shelf solutions. There is no “one-size-fits-all” cure.

Choose a system that is reliable and not subject to electric timer malfunctions or power outages.

Check for third-party certification from organizations such as NSF International to ensure the system will perform according to manufacturer claims.

Look for a system that offers ‘round the clock, 24-hour operation -- the type that’s only available with twin-tank systems which permit one tank to be operational while the other is regenerating (cleaning itself).

To maximize efficient use of water and regenerant (salt), choose a system that regenerates on demand versus according to a preset timer.