Father and daughter getting laundry out of the washing machine

What is Soft Water?

Soft water is water that contains very low levels of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. Unlike hard water, it doesn’t leave behind limescale, making it kinder to your home, your appliances, and even your skin and hair. In many UK regions, where hard water is common, a Culligan Harvey water softener is a great option that will transform your home and daily routine.

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What is the Difference between Hard and Soft Water?

The main difference between soft and hard water is its composition, which itself comes from the type of land onto which it falls when it rains. Around 60% of the UK has hard water, meaning it has a high mineral content.

Hard water has high levels of minerals like calcium or magnesium, while soft water doesn’t have the same mineral content.

Defining Soft Water

In areas where the ground is made up of non-porous rock, the rainwater simply runs off that rock and straight into the reservoir where it is gathered before being sent to your home.

This means the water reaches the reservoir in the exact same condition it was in when it first fell – which, as we know, is soft.

Defining Hard Water

Hard water forms when rainwater passes through porous rocks such as limestone and chalk. As it moves through the ground, the water absorbs minerals like calcium and magnesium, which increase its hardness. These minerals are also responsible for the limescale you often see building up on taps, showers, and appliances. Naturally soft water doesn’t contain the same high levels of minerals, so limescale isn’t an issue.

Because of these challenges, many households choose to install a water softener, enjoying the everyday benefits of softened water, from easier cleaning to smoother skin and hair.

The Benefits of Soft Water

Rainfall starts out naturally soft, but in many parts of the UK it becomes hard as it passes through chalk and limestone on its way to reservoirs. Installing a water softener brings those natural qualities back, offering benefits for both your home and your wellbeing.

Soft water can:

Prevent Limescale Buildup

saving you time on cleaning and money on products.

Keep clothes softer

helping fabrics stay bright and colourful wash after wash.

Improve soap efficiency

making it easier to create a rich lather when washing or showering.

Gentler on skin / hair

reducing dryness and irritation.

Protect appliances

by preventing scale that can damage kettles, boilers, and washing machines.

Make cleaning easier

eaving taps, tiles, and shower screens sparkling with less effort.

Mother bathing her baby in a bath tub with soft water

Softening your water

The term ‘water softening’ refers to the process through which the hard water minerals of calcium and magnesium are removed, leaving just pure, softened water in its place. Without these treatments, hard water may:

Clog your pipes – especially in older homes with pipes made of galvanised steel, high amounts of calcium and magnesium can build up within your pipes and cause blockages.
Change the taste of your water – opinions differ on what hard vs soft water tastes like, but you may find water containing more minerals to be more flavourful than desired.
Leave unpleasant residue – also known as limescale, when hard water lands on a surface and evaporates, you’re left with a white, often ‘scaly’ stain. This can translate to extra time cleaning, as well as requiring potentially costly supplies to remove such stains.
Interfere with your wellbeing – while certain amounts of minerals may be beneficial, in cases where you ingest too much calcium or magnesium this may impact your wellbeing.

There are various ways to soften your water, from micro-treatments like soft water shower heads, to whole home solutions like water softeners.

How do water softeners work?

However you choose to soften your water, the basic premise is that the calcium and magnesium minerals need to be removed. If you intend to use soft water throughout your entire home, the best place to perform the softening is at the source – where the water comes into your home, via your water pipes. That’s why whole home solutions like water softeners are so popular, particularly in those homes where cleanliness, appliance efficiency and skin health are valued.

The water softening process starts with ion exchange, in which the mineral content is drawn out through salt percolating through resin beads, and a regeneration stage through which the minerals are flushed from the system.

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Is It Safe to Soften Hard Water?

Yes, it is. Furthermore, drinking softened water is also safe. To keep it that way, water softening systems should be cleaned and maintained regularly to prevent any build-up of bacteria or fungi. If you’re on a low-sodium diet, it’s worth noting that the softening process can add small amounts of sodium to your water. With the HarveyArc Water Softener, you can easily track sodium levels through our app, giving you complete peace of mind.