Hard Vs Soft Water: Which Is Better For You?

When you think of water, you might assume that it’s all the same, right? Well, not really. Hard water contains elements that can completely alter its concentration.

To learn more about the difference between hard vs soft water, take a look at the information below:

Hard Water vs Soft Water: Spot the Difference

You can’t determine whether water is hard or soft just by looking at it. However, there are some telltale signs that’ll let you know if your water is hard or soft.

Attributes of hard water include:

Mineral stains: You’ll notice mineral stains on your clothing after it comes out of the washer. The downside to washing your clothes in hard water is that it can add additional wear and tear to your attire.

Lower water pressure: When mineral deposits form in your pipes, it clogs the interior. Eventually, the additional deposits take up the majority of the pipes and restricts the water flow.

White spots: Have you ever pulled your dishes out of the dishwasher and had specks of white spots on them? Well, that’s an indicator of hard water, and the stains are typically the result of calcium carbonate.

Film on hands after washing: Hard water can also create a film on your hands once you’re finished washing them. It’s caused by the s soap interacting with calcium and creating soap scum. If you notice this issue, you might have to rinse your hands for longer than usual.

Now that you know about hard water, here are some clues about soft water:

  • Good water pressure in your home
  • Clean clothing with no mineral stains
  • A mild taste of sodium in your drinking water
  • A healthy lather when you’re washing dishes, clothes, or bathing

Basically, if you don’t notice hard water symptoms, the water in your home is fine.

What is Hard Water?

Hard water consists of a high level of dissolved minerals like magnesium and calcium. Of course, normal water also has minerals in it sometimes, but to diagnose whether or not it’s hard is based on the mineral concentration.

The water is classified as hard if it has a concentration greater than 16 milligrams per liter.

Furthermore, when the levels reach 180 milligrams per liter, that’s considered severe hard water, and the mineral buildup will eventually ruin your appliances.

What is Soft Water?

Soft water has little to no calcium or magnesium in it. A natural example of soft water is rain. However, H2O can also be manually softened using an ionizing filter. Take a look at this article to learn more about how you can improve the water in your home.

Hard vs Soft Water: Enhance the Water in Your Home

Hopefully, the information above helped you understand the difference between hard vs soft water. If you’ve noticed any of the hard water symptoms listed above, consider getting a filtration system.

If this article was helpful, feel free to read the rest of our blog. We discuss a variety of topics, and there’s something from everyone. Check it out!


Oscar Rojas
Oscar Rojas

I'm primarily a dad and a husband, then I live. I've been a freelance writer and editor since 2014, specializing in finance, casino, sports, and esports niches. I'm an expert in checking the small print on any T&C site. You can trust me as an expert, especially when it comes to financing and gambling products.

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