Water is the foundation of our lives, and it affects us in numerous ways. So it’s important to know what type of water is best for your home and family.
Hard water is characterized by its high concentrations of minerals, specifically calcium and magnesium. They’re not harmful to your health, but in larger amounts they can dry out your skin and hair.
What is hard water?
Hard water is a type of water that contains high levels of calcium and magnesium. It is formed as water travels through the ground and accumulates minerals along the way.
Soft water is free of these harsh minerals and has a much lower mineral content than hard water. It is also much easier on household appliances and plumbing pipes.
Industrial uses often require water that is softened for a variety of reasons, such as in cleaning products or to prevent the build-up of scale that clogs pipes and affects equipment and machinery. This can cause problems for many industries, requiring costly solutions to resolve them.
The most common indication of water hardness is that it does not lather well with soap. It is also more likely to leave a white soap scum in sinks and bathtubs. It can also cause limescale in swimming pools. These issues can lead to a host of problems for homeowners and businesses alike.
What is soft water?
Soft water is the water you receive when your home has a water softener installed. It is a type of water that relies on a process called ion exchange to remove minerals such as calcium and magnesium, replacing them with sodium.
Hard water, on the other hand, is a naturally occurring water that comes from rainwater, glaciers, icebergs, ponds, lakes, rivers and streams. It typically has high concentrations of minerals like calcium and magnesium.
You might notice spots and films on dishes, glasses and silverware if you have hard water in your home. These are caused by the minerals in hard water that can cause soap to build up on your items and leave them looking dull.
Super soft water, on the other hand, doesn’t bind to soap like hard water does. It can leave your skin and hair feeling like there is product left behind after a shower, but it doesn’t leave a mineral residue the way that hard water does.
How do I know if my water is hard or soft?
Hard water is a type of drinking water that has a high concentration of dissolved minerals. These are often calcium and magnesium.
The amount of these dissolved minerals in your water is measured by the amount of grains per gallon (GPG). These measurements help determine how hard your water is.
Depending on your area, you may be able to test your water with a water hardness test kit. These kits are available at many home improvement stores.
You can also find a local water softening specialist to do an in-home visit and perform a test for you.
If you have a lot of hard water in your house, it’s likely to leave a scale buildup on your plumbing fixtures and appliances. This scaly residue can lead to problems with cleaning supplies, plumbing and your appliances.
What are the benefits of soft water?
Soft water makes your laundry brighter because it doesn’t leave mineral deposits that can stain or fade colors. It also saves you money by reducing the amount of soap and detergent you need to use.
It’s also easier to clean with. It doesn’t leave a buildup of scale on surfaces, and it’s able to mix better with cleaning products.
You can spend less time cleaning your showers, sinks and faucets because soft water fully dissolves and penetrates soap, requiring less re-washing to get the job done.
A water softener is a device that removes hard water’s calcium and magnesium ions through a process called ion exchange.
It can help reduce the amount of time you spend scrubbing hard water from your pipes and appliances, which will save you money on repairs and replacements over time. It can also lengthen the lifespan of your dishwasher, washing machine, coffee machine and other appliances. It will also save you money on your energy bills by heating your water more efficiently.