Have you found yourself frequently scrubbing away hard water stains and wondered “What makes water hard”? While you may have decided to Google ways to remove those pesky stains, chances are you may still have some confusion about what causes them.
Not to worry! We’ve got you covered. Keep reading to find out what hard water is, how it can affect your life, and what you can do to soften your water.
All About Hard Water: What Makes Water Hard?
Hard water is defined by the amount of magnesium and calcium break down you have deposited in your water. With frequent use, hard water can cause stains on shower floors and sink surfaces referred to as limescale.
Whether or not you have hard water depends more on your location than anything else. A few of the cities that have some of the hardest water include:
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Phoenix, Arizona
Residents who live in these cities, and other cities that haven’t been listed, have water hardness due to where their water is outsourced from, and the actual land that their city sits on. For example, Indianapolis residents have harder water because of the limestone bedrock that the majority of Indiana is located on– hence the frequent limescale buildup.
How Does Hard Water Impact Your Life?
Hard water isn’t considered dangerous, and the minerals in the drinking water are actually said to be good for you. However, there are some negative effects that hard water can have on your day-to-day life.
Dishes
Hard water can make your silverware, glassware, and other dishes appear foggy and spotty even after you have properly cleaned them.
Skin and Hair
Hard water can irritate skin conditions such as eczema, and cause your skin to feel as though there is an additional layer of something on it. Your skin may also feel very dry to the touch and require additional moisture from creams and lotions after a shower or having washed your hands.
Your hair can also be stripped of natural oils when washed with hard water and you may begin to have dehydrated dandruff-filled hair.
Other ways that hard water can affect you are by:
- Fading fabrics
- Reacting negatively with soaps
- Causing frequent repairs in plumbing
- Leaving unsightly build-up on surfaces and plumbing
Although hard water can have negative effects on day-to-day living there are ways to combat it.
How Can You Get Rid of Hard Water?
If you live in a location where your water is hard, you can look into getting water softener salt, water softener, or a water softener system. This northstar water softener comes with high recommendations.
Is Hard Water a Problem for You?
Stop asking yourself “What makes water hard?” and start doing something about it. Don’t let hard water continue to be a source of discomfort for you. Soften your water today!
If you have found this article helpful, be sure to check out the rest of our blog for other helpful articles just like this one.
