Chances are you’ve already heard of the terms “hard water” and “soft water.” Yet you might not know what they mean or how important these terms are. Well, you’ll be surprised to know that the kind of water you have running in your home can affect your health.
Understanding the differences between hard water and soft water might help you a lot more than you think. Keep on reading to learn more.
Differences Between Hard Water and Soft Water
Water usually contains calcium and magnesium. The hardness of water depends on how high the levels of calcium and magnesium are.
Soft water, on the other hand, has very few traces of those minerals. Instead, it contains a high concentration of sodium.
How to Tell if Water is Hard or Soft
You can’t determine if the water is hard or soft just by looking at it. However, there are other signs you can look out for to help you determine what kind of water you have.
With hard water, you’ll probably notice some spots on your dishes after washing them, due to the high amount of calcium carbonate. Spots, or mineral stains, can also appear on your clothing once you pull them out of the washer. Hard water can wear out your dishes and clothing a lot faster.
Hard water can also make your skin feel as if it were covered by a layer of film due to the reaction that soap has when it comes to contact with calcium. On the other hand, soft water makes your skin feel smooth and doesn’t cause any damage. You might also notice a hint of salt when you taste it but, this is barely noticeable.
Hard Water and Health
Hard water does not cause severe health issues, but it can lead to unpleasant skin conditions as well as damage your hair.
Due to high concentrations of magnesium and calcium, hard water can dry out your skin and may give it a flaky texture, leading to itching and irritation. Just as it dries your skin, it can also dry out your hair, as well as your scalp.
If you are already experiencing these things, it might be time to soften your water by purchasing a softening system. Look into the different ones on the market and before making a decision, check out what clients have had to say about the product. Reviews are crucial, and you want the assurance that the system you’ll purchase will be useful, such as this review, for example.
If not, then visit your dermatologist and have them suggest any kinds of skin and hair products that can prevent you from experiencing the harmful effects of hard water.
Which One Is Best?
Hard water and soft water have their benefits as well as their downsides. Now that you know the differences between hard water and soft water, you can now decide what kind of water will suit your home best.
If you enjoyed this article, keep exploring through the other articles to discover more great tips!
