Many water supplies naturally include minerals such as calcium, iron, and magnesium that make the water hard. Soft Water is water that is free from these minerals.
According to the US Geological Survey, 85% of water in the United States is hard. Whether the water in your home is supplied by a well or the city, you likely have hard water. Though drinking hard water is not considered a health risk, hard water is the cause of many problems in and around your home. It may even be the reason for many skin and hair issues. Water hardness levels are measured in grains per gallon or parts per million (PPM). If your water measures as little as one grain per gallon of hardness, it is considered “slightly hard.” The more grains per gallon of hardness, the harder the water.
Soft water feels silky and smooth to the touch. When washing your hands or showering, you might notice it feels almost slippery, as if the soap isn’t fully rinsed off. This happens because soft water doesn’t have the minerals (like calcium and magnesium) that hard water does, so soap lathers more and rinses differently, leaving a smooth, almost moisturized sensation on your skin.
How does Soft Water compare to Hard Water when Bathing, Cleaning & Doing Laundry?
When comparing soft water to hard water during bathing and cleaning, there are noticeable differences:
š Bathing & Showering:
- Soft Water: Creates a rich lather with less soap or shampoo, making it feel silkier and smoother. Rinsing may seem to take longer because thereās no mineral residue, just pure soap thatās fully dissolved. Skin and hair are left softer and less dry since soft water doesnāt strip away natural oils.
- Hard Water: Lathers poorly, requiring more soap to achieve the same effect. It can leave a film or residue on skin and hair, sometimes causing dryness, irritation, and dullness.
š§¼ Cleaning:
- Soft Water: Dishes, glassware, and surfaces are left spotless without watermarks or streaks. Less soap and detergent are needed, which also means less buildup in washing machines and dishwashers.
- Hard Water: Leaves mineral spots and streaks on dishes and surfaces. Soap scum builds up easily, requiring more scrubbing and stronger cleaning agents.
š Laundry:
- Soft Water: Fabrics feel softer, colors stay vibrant longer, and thereās less wear on fibers. Detergent dissolves fully, preventing residue buildup.
- Hard Water: Clothes can feel stiff and appear dull due to mineral deposits. Soap reacts with calcium and magnesium, leaving residues that can irritate sensitive skin.
Benefits of Soft Water
Eliminate Scaled Surfaces: By eliminating the hardness minerals found in tap water, you also will eliminate the white chalky buildup (calcium and magnesium) often found on shower doors and curtains, fixtures, and around drains. If you donāt have to battle with scale buildup, you can greatly reduce the amount of time cleaning and scrubbing those surface areas. In most cases, you also can eliminate the use of harsh cleaning chemicals. Soft water reduces mineral deposits in pipes, water heaters, and appliances, extending their lifespan and maintaining efficiency.
Brighter Laundry: Since soft water does not include the hardness minerals that react with most soaps and interfere with its cleaning abilities, detergent can more easily free clothes from dirt and grime. With soft water, detergents will rinse completely away too, so clothes will look cleaner and even feel softer for longer. Make your whites whiter, your clothes brighter, and keep your laundry looking and feeling like new!
Clean Water Pipes: Mineral deposits from hard water can build up inside water pipes and reduce water pressure over time. Clean, soft water keeps plumbing free from scale buildup, saves money on costly plumbing replacements and helps maintain the proper flow of water throughout the home. Soft water reduces the risk of clogged pipes, corrosion, and damage from mineral build-up.
Longer Life of Water-Using Appliances: Scale buildup often affects water-using appliances, especially ones that heat or use heated water, like water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, and coffee makers. Clean, soft, chlorine-free water will help your water-using appliances work better and last longer, which saves you money and aggravation.
Softer, Smoother Hair and Skin: With soft, chlorine-free water, youāll be amazed at how much better your skin and hair will look and feel. Hard water not only requires more soap and shampoo to get a lather, but then it does not completely rinse out of hair or away from skin. You can use smaller amounts of gentle soaps and shampoos with soft water for softer, smoother, cleaner skin and hair with less irritation. Soft water is gentle on skin and hair, preventing dryness and irritation. It also makes soaps and shampoos lather better, leading to a cleaner feel.
More Efficient Cleaning: Dishes, laundry, and surfaces are cleaner and spot-free since there are no mineral residues. Less detergent and soap are required, saving costs.
Energy Efficiency: Appliances like water heaters use less energy with soft water, as thereās no limescale build-up to reduce heating efficiency.
Longer-lasting Fabrics: Clothes washed in soft water remain brighter, softer, and last longer without mineral deposits causing wear.
How Do You Get Soft Water For Your Home?
Water softeners use the process of ion exchange to replace the hardness ions in water (calcium and magnesium) with sodium ions to make the water soft. Once the water is soft, it will be better for your skin, hair and many things around your home, like your fixtures, appliances, plumbing, clothing, and tableware.
Kinetico offers several water softener options, so you will likely find one that suits your needs and budget. Our state-of-the-art, non-electric, multi-tank water softeners provide a continuous supply of soft water, on demand, thatās better for you and your home.
To find out the condition of your water, including its hardness level, you should have your water tested. Contact KarSare Water Systems today to schedule a free water test and to get a quote. Your local water expert can then discuss the best water treatment solutions to meet your needs.
