Hard Water VS Soft Water
Understanding the difference between hard water vs soft water is essential for improving water quality and protecting your appliances. Read on to learn more about how these water types affect your home and why water softeners can help.
Understanding Hard vs Soft Water
Water is something we use every single day, from drinking and cooking to showering and cleaning. But have you ever stopped to think about the type of water that flows through your taps? All water contains naturally occurring minerals, and the amount of those minerals determines whether your supply is classed as hard water or soft water. The difference may seem small, but it can have a real impact on your home and daily life.
What’s the Difference Between Hard Water and Soft Water?
Hard water has higher levels of calcium and magnesium. While safe to drink, it can dry out skin and hair and leave behind limescale. Water is classed as hard if it measures 100ppm or more. Soft water, with fewer minerals, is gentler on you and your home, thus helping soaps lather, keeping hair and skin smooth, and protecting appliances. If you’re dealing with hard water, a water softener can remove the excess minerals and give you all the benefits of softened water.
Hard vs Soft Water: Causes
What Causes Hard and Soft Water
The difference between hard water vs soft water comes down to the ground it flows through. As rainwater travels underground, it dissolves minerals from the rocks it passes. In areas rich in limestone or chalk, the water collects more calcium and magnesium, making it hard water. These minerals stay in the supply as the water is stored in reservoirs and piped into homes.
Where water passes through different rock types with fewer minerals, it remains much softer.
Across the UK, some of the hardest water is found in the southeast, London, Doncaster, York, and Hull.
Hard Water: Issues
Hard water isn’t harmful to health and can even provide a small boost of calcium and magnesium to your diet. However, the extra minerals can create challenges around the home and for your skin and hair. Here are some of the main cons of hard water:
04
More cleaning required
Hard water makes surfaces harder to keep sparkling.
05
Higher product use
You may need more soap, shampoo, and cleaning products to get a good lather.
06
Appliance wear
Limescale can reduce the efficiency and lifespan of kettles, boilers, and washing machines.
01
Limescale Buildup
Leaves deposits on taps, shower screens, appliances, and pipes
02
Dry hair
Frequent washing can make hair feel dull and less manageable.
03
Dry / irritated skin
Can weaken the skin barrier and cause itchiness.