A variety of homeowners across the nation have been asking “what is the difference between hard and soft water?” over the last few years. The confusion surrounding these terms is understandable. After all, trying to gauge what is the difference between two elements that are common in the household is crucial. Understanding can influence you to purchase treatment methods, if necessary, to eliminate hard water.
So if you have ever wondered what is the difference between hard and soft water and weren’t sure where to begin your investigation, we are here to help. We are going to list the many differences between these types of water and help you understand which is better for your home.
1. Hard Water Is Not Treated
While soft water is typically treated with various processes to eliminate chemicals and minerals from its content, hard water is not. As a result, it will be rich with elements such as calcium, magnesium, and iron. These elements are all very beneficial for the health of your body and mind. As a result, some people may prefer drinking hard water because it provides them with a healthier dosage of these chemicals.
These elements occur in hard water because it is filtered through various stones and mineral deposits as it seeps up through the ground. Water treatment plants will turn this hard water soft by eliminating all of these elements.
At the same time, hard water can also contain a large number of dangerous items, such as sulfur, that can be threatening to your health. Therefore, while hard water is more natural than soft water, it can be more problematic for your health.
2. Soft Water Is Gentler on Your Appliances
The elements and minerals in hard water may be good for your health, but they are awful for your appliances. That’s because the minerals in hard water can wear down the structure of your plumbing equipment. For example, the sides of your pipe may be eroded by the iron and magnesium in your water. Even worse, it may cause damage to electrical elements and lead them to malfunction. As a result, soft water treatment is often necessary to avoid this danger.
Even worse, hard water can cause the lead in older pipes to break apart and end up in your drinking water. Lead is a dangerous element that can cause severe mental and physical problems when consumed too frequently. Therefore, anyone who wants to protect the health of their family should consider getting their hard water treated. Thankfully, there are many filters that you can add to your home to ensure the water is soft.
3. Hard Water Smells Bad
People with hard water often notice that is has a rather pungent odor. That smell is caused by a high concentration of elements like sulfur. While these elements may not be harmful most of the time, it can make it very hard to enjoy drinking it. Even worse, it can make stains on your clothes and even cause them to smell like these elements for years. It can also give your home a nasty stench that is hard to combat.
Soft water will have no smell to it. That’s because the chemicals and elements that create these odors will have been removed. As a result, your clothes won’t be stained or smell bad after being washed. Even better, you can enjoy a nice glass of water without feeling sick to your stomach or suffering from bad breath. Switching to soft water now can help eliminate that lingering home smell that hard water has caused in your house.
4. Soft Water Isn’t Sticky on the Skin
Individuals with hard water have probably suffered from issues with bathing or cleaning their clothes. Simply put, this hard water feels sticky on the skin and will cause issues with your soap. All of the elements contained in hard water will linger on your skin after you take a shower or wash your hands. As a result, it often feels like there is a film there that you can’t eliminate.
Even worse, that layer is likely to remain on your skin no matter how long you wash it. After all, you are only adding more hard water to it. More problematically, it will make it difficult for your washing machine or dishwasher to create useful soap suds. It will then leave a residue on them that is hard to eliminate.
5. Hard Water May Cause Real Skin Problems
The residue that is left behind with hard water can cause complications with a person’s skin health. For example, studies have shown that there is a correlation between hard water and the development of eczema. This connection is particularly strong in children. This may mean that they should avoid hard water as much as possible whenever washing.
However, it has also been linked to the development of temporary rashes that can be very itchy and frustrating to treat. Therefore, it is essential to limit your contact with hard water as much as possible. Try to place a filter on your showerhead to eliminate this danger. You can also install a filter on your main water supply and use a bypass valve if you want to use hard water for your drinking water.
6. Soft Water Isn’t as Healthy to Drink
The fact that soft water isn’t as healthy to drink as hard water may surprise some. However, experts have stated that many treatment methods add excessive sodium to the soft water. As a result, a person may expose themselves to excessive levels of this otherwise healthy mineral. Unfortunately, they may then suffer from cardiovascular health concerns.
That said, it is possible to treat hard water without adding too much sodium to it. Eliminating some, but not all, of the minerals in hard water, will also make it healthier to drink and safer on your appliances. Therefore, it is essential to talk to treatment specialists to learn more about these benefits.
In Conclusion
By now, you should have a pretty good insight into the answer to the question “what is the difference between hard and soft water?” Considering all the differences and benefits, you should know that soft water is usually the best choice for you. It should give you an insight into why water treatment is a wise choice.
If you want to know more about what is the difference between hard and soft water, please don’t hesitate to let us know. We are always interested in learning more from our readers. And make sure you share this article with loved ones in your life who are struggling to make some healthy choices in their lifestyle.