With the human body being made up of 60% water and using water in our daily life, from laundry to the dishes to taking a bath, it is hard to believe that there are still some things we don’t know about H2O. Did you know there is the same amount of water on Earth as there was when the Earth was formed? This fact means the water from your faucet could contain molecules dinosaurs drank. It could also include an excessive amount of calcium and magnesium, which is considered hard water.
That means that a refreshing glass of water could come with a side of damage to your home and body. Soft water is gentler, with calcium and magnesium removed through water softener systems.
In this GetLocal.ie article, we will dive deeply into the benefits of installing a soft water system in your home and if it is the right choice for you and your family.
getlocal.ieHow to Know if Your Water is Soft or Hard
Knowing if you have hard or soft water in your home would be helpful before deciding if a water softener is right for you. Checking for limescale buildup around your faucets, sinks, tubs, and other plumbing fixtures is one way to tell if you have hard water. Limescale is a white, crusty substance and is not hard to miss. Also, check for reddish-brown stains on the bathtub and toilet tiles which are the combined result of limescale, scum, and other reactions from hard water.
You can also try the soap test to see if your home’s water is hard or soft. To do the test, you will need a clear container with a lid, (a 1 litre water bottle is perfect), clear liquid soap, and water from your tap. Fill the containers with water about 1/3 full, squeeze in about ten drops of soap, put the cap on, and shake vigorously.
If your water is soft, it will contain a lot of bubbles at the top and clear water underneath. If your water is hard, it will have minimal to no bubbles, and the water beneath will look cloudy. Check out the graphic below for reference.
Water Stains
If your dishes come out of the dishwasher with spots even after you pre-washed them before going in, you can thank hard water for that. A soft water system would have those dishes coming out spotless every time.
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Hard water creates lime scale buildup that can taking years off the lifespan of your household appliances
Softer Skin and Hair
The minerals in hard water can be tough on your skin and hair. For the skin, it removes natural oils, which can dry you out and can even result in itchy, irritated skin for some. This dryness can even include your scalp, which can cause it to be dry and flakey. For hair, it can cause it to become brittle, frizzy, or even feel dry. Soft water doesn’t strip these oils from your hair or skin and, therefore, can lead to clearer skin with fewer breakouts, allowing your hair to become softer and more manageable.
Easier Cleaning and Fewer Cleaning Products
If spending hours scrubbing soap scum from the tub isn’t your idea of a good time, soft water might be suitable for you. You see, hard water reacts with shampoo and soap to form soap scum, which gets stuck everywhere from your bathtub to your toilet. Since soft water penetrates and dissolves better with soap, it also helps reduce the amount of cleaning solution you use. No more scrubbing for hours and less on the cleaning solution bill? Brilliant.
Laundry Like a Professional
When you run the wash on your clothes in hard water, you are washing them in mineral deposits that, over time, leave clothes dull and weathered. Your favourite grey cosy sweater? Hard water will fade it and might even make it become a little scratchy. If you have sensitive skin, these mineral deposits might even irritate you. Once again, due to its ability to mix effectively with soap and detergents and its lack of mineral deposits, soft water is an excellent solution if you want to keep your clothes looking bright and feeling smoother for longer. Like with household cleaning products, soft water will also help reduce the detergent bill as you will effectively use less for the same loads. It can also help with the life of your washing machine as it is more gentle than hard water.
Saving on Bills
With the cost of living going up, we could all use a few tips on saving money. Due to the minerals in hard water, it creates lime scale buildup taking years off the lifespan of your household appliances. Especially the kettle we all use daily. But it also includes showers, dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters. If the device uses water to run, it is affected by limescale buildup. Hard water can also cause blockages and corrosion that can reduce water flow and harm your home plumbing system, and we all know hiring a plumber is never a cheap endeavour. A water softener prevents the adverse effect of hard water and descales the buildup of limescale over time so that your appliances become more efficient and last longer.
Consider Tap Water Filtration Systems
If upgrading the water for the whole house isn’t an option for you, it might be worth considering a tap-based solution, which is a simpler and less costly way to get better tasting and potentially healthier water for cooking and drinking. Water filtration systems remove water impurities and contaminants such as heavy metals and chlorine. However, at the same time, filtration systems ensure that essential minerals like calcium and zinc stay where they need to be. Water filters also prevent that pesky limescale build-up. Water filtration systems have many of the same benefits as a soft water system, such as; cleaner dishes, sinks, and showers, prolonged appliance life, better water for cooking, and cost-effectiveness. Installation is simple, so the choice is up to you!
Whether you are looking for a water softener system or more of a tap-based solution, keep GetLocal.ie in mind as we make discovering from Irish businesses more accessible than ever. Discover local with GetLocal.ie.
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