The most common way to treat hard water is with a Water Softener. This is a water filtration system that filters out the hard water minerals in your water. Was the water travels into the filter, it passes through a bed of resin that traps the calcium and magnesium, which are then replaced with sodium ions.
Vinegar is very effective in dissolving the calcium, magnesium, and other mineral deposits of hard water. The added advantage is that it kills bacteria, mold, and other germs. Using vinegar as a softener for hard water is a simple hack to treat hard water at home.
While hard water cannot be filtered, it can be softened to significantly improve your water quality, protect your plumbing system, reduce your time spent cleaning, and more.
Baking soda – While adding baking soda to your bath won't chemically soften the water, it will make it feel slicker and cause your skin to feel softer. To try this method, add ½ a cup of baking soda to a tubful of water and soak in the bath for about 15 minutes.
Soften your kitchen water by boiling: Boiling will make the salts in water sink to the bottom of the boiler. You can then scoop out this water or pour the water in another pot leaving the deposits in the end. Install an ion-exchange filter to your kitchen faucet or use a water pitcher filter.
Boiling water is certainly one of the most effective ways to soften it.
Water described as “hard” contains high amounts of dissolved calcium and magnesium. Hard water is not a health risk but is a nuisance because of mineral buildup on plumbing fixtures' and poor soap and or detergent performance. Water is a good solvent and picks up impurities easily.
Hardness is caused by compounds of calcium and magnesium, and by a variety of other metals.
The cause of hardness of water is due to the presence of bicarbonates, sulphates, and chlorides of calcium and magnesium.
Hard water (high in calcium and magnesium) is not a health risk. The calcium and magnesium in water can contribute positively to your overall mineral intake. An 8-ounce glass of moderately hard water contains about 50 to 75 mg of calcium.
You'd think that ingesting mineral-heavy hard water would have an effect on your teeth through direct exposure but the calcium actually has a benefit on your teeth, as well as your overall dental health, so increasing your intake isn't going to hurt.
Bottled water is hard water as it contains lots of dissolved minerals. Hard water can cause problems in the home for example the build up of lime scale in kettles but it does have the benefit of tasting nice. There are two main types of bottled water, spring water and mineral water.
Studies have found that consuming hard water could lead to irregular bowel movements. Additionally, if you have noticed changes in your skin, you may be drinking hard water.
Yes, hard water does have added health benefits. Calcium and magnesium are important minerals the body needs for the growth and function of bones and muscles. These minerals also regulate blood pressure and enzyme actions. Consuming hard water may be a source of these minerals.
On a small scale, chemicals used for softening include ammonia, borax, calcium hydroxide (slaked lime), or trisodium phosphate, usually in conjunction with sodium carbonate (soda ash). The lime-soda method of water softening must be followed by sedimentation and filtration in order to remove the precipitates.
The process of removing the dissolved magnesium and calcium salts causing hardness in water is called softening. For softening, chemicals such as sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), slaked lime (Ca(OH)2), etc can be used. Also, sodium chloride (NaCl) can be used to soften hard water.
The hard water softener is an appliance that uses sodium chloride, also known as salt, to treat hard water.
Epsom salt has a variety of uses around the home including relief of pain and discomfort and stress reduction, but did you know that you can use Epsom salt to clean unsightly hard water stains and even as a hard water softener to adjust the pH of your water. One of the most effective hard water softeners is Epsom salt.
The Effects of Hard Water
Clogged Plumbing – Limescale from hard water will build up in your pipes. Think of it like an artery that is slowly being clogged up. It restricts water flow until it becomes fully clogged. Hard on Appliances – Any appliance that uses hard water is at risk.
Does soft water make your hair softer? Yes! While hard water tends to be drying, soft water can leave you with smoother, more manageable hair.
But hard water has a long list of problems attached to it. Disadvantages of hardness include the formation of soap scum, cloud-like stains, clogged pipes, dry skin and hair, faded and brittle laundry, and corrosion and deteriorated appliances.
Rainwater is naturally soft, but dissolved carbon dioxide gas from the atmosphere makes it slightly acidic. (This should not be confused with 'acid rain', which is much stronger and is caused by different gases). Rainwater soaks into the ground after it falls and then flows slowly through the soil and rocks beneath.
The degree of magnesium and calcium in hard water is extremely high, which creates multiple issues like brittle hair and hair loss, skin issues, less lather formation, extra consumption of soaps & shampoos, salts deposits on bathroom appliances & marble floors, and scaling in shower.