Difference Between Hard and Soft Water (and Why It Matters)
When everything is working properly, you can assume that tap water is pretty consistent in every way in terms of what it contains and how it might affect your home and your body. But actually it is not. Tap water can differ from community to community in many ways, but today we’ll focus on one thing: hard water or soft water.
So what is the difference between hard and soft water? And why is this topic worth discussing? Here’s what to know, courtesy of the USGS School of Water Sciences .
Difference between hard and soft water
In short, water hardness refers to the amount of certain minerals that are dissolved in the water. According to the USGS, the higher the concentration of minerals, especially calcium and magnesium, the harder the water is considered to be.
If you want technical information, here is the difference between hard and soft water based on its calcium carbonate content:
- Soft : 0 to 60 mg / L (milligrams per liter)
- Moderately difficult : 61 to 120 mg / L
- Solid : 121 to 180 mg / l
- Very difficult :> 180 mg / l
USGS explains that in areas where the source is ground water, water is generally more rigid because as the water moves through the rock and soil, it dissolves a small amount of natural chemicals on the way and takes them with him in road. In some cases, people with hard water prefer to install water softening systems in their homes that reduce the concentration of minerals in the water.
Impact of hard water
Hard water can affect many things in and around your home, including your body. Here are some examples.
Houses
Over time, the hard water moving through the pipes at home can lead to a build-up of scale, gradually causing them to close and let less water pass through, lowering the water pressure, explains USGS.
And when hard water heats up, it can form hard deposits of calcium carbonate, or even more scale. “This scale can shorten equipment life, increase water heating costs, reduce the efficiency of electric water heaters and clog pipes,” the USGS said in a statement. This is also the reason for the buildup in your coffee maker.
Other examples include:
- Stains or films on dishes washed in hard water.
- More soap or detergent is required to wash the laundry.
- Mineral stains on clothes or clothes coming out of the laundry still look dull
- Mineral build-up around all faucets (including shower heads)
- Residues inside tubs and sinks that are difficult to remove (commonly referred to as “lather”).
- Slow flush toilet
- Rusty rings in the toilet
- Slow drain from sink and bathtub
On your body
Water is an essential part of our daily life, so if it contains a lot of minerals, it makes sense that we notice it. Here are some examples:
- Hands still feel slimy after washing hands thoroughly with soap.
- Shampoo does not foam when washing hair
- Dry hair and / or hair that appears to be covered in film or shower residue
- Dry, itchy skin
- Plus, you notice how much better your hair and skin feel when you shower outside of your home.
- Tap water with a metallic taste (although this alone does not make the water unsafe to drink ).
If you notice any of this home, you are most likely dealing with hard water and you might want to consider ways to soften it.