Hard Water vs Soft Water: Are You Damaging Your Home?

Anything that’s below 1 GPG is soft water and above 1.5-2 is hard water. 

The difference between hard and soft water lies in mineral content, taste, smell, cleaning efficiency, appliance longevity, skin/hair health, and environmental impact. 

Now, want to get to the BOTTOM of your water woes? 

Perhaps it’s hard water. 

Because the minerals in it swim with several issues, they affect water quality, your skin, appliances, and the environment. 

But don’t worry! Soft water is there to turn the TIDE. It doesn’t flow with a ripple of trouble. Instead, it aims to make life, home, and environment better. 

Of course! hard water has some good sides too. This can make you PONDer— 

Hard water or soft water: what’s better?  

Understanding Water Hardness

What is Hard Water?

Mineral-rich water. 

Hard water refers to water with excessive dissolved minerals and salts that affect its properties, taste, smell, and use.  The minerals are mostly calcium and magnesium. 

It forms when the water seeps through the ground and collects minerals from soils and rock deposits like— 

• Gypsum
• Limestone
• Chalk
• Dolomite

The rocks dissolve minerals in water and increase the hardness level. This water then flows through—

• River and other channels
• Then, treatment plants for purification
• Then, municipal supplies 
• Finally, to your homes

Common Problems of Hard Water

• Scale buildup
• Clogged pipes
• White staining 
• Reduced appliance lifespan 
• Soap scum
• Bitter taste 

What is Soft Water? 

Mineral-poor water. 

Soft water represents water with low to no dissolved minerals that make it taste smooth and smell neutral. 

Your water naturally stays soft when it falls from the clouds as rain. As it touches the ground or groundwater and collects minerals, it turns harder. 

However, because soft water is almost mineral-free, it doesn’t cause scale buildup in pipes. The appliances stay solid longer. Also, it helps cleaning products lather better. 

If minerals turn water hard, there are ways to soften it back. The three prominent devices are— 

• Water softening system
• Reverse osmosis 
• Water conditioners 

Need an efficient water softener? Grab from NJ Water Systems!

Benefits Of Soft Water

• Crystal clear
• Smooth water
• Neutral smell
• Reduced risk of kidney stones
• Spot-free surfaces
• Soft skin
• Healthy hair
• Better lather

Water Hardness

There are two units through which you measure water hardness— 

Grains per gallon (GPG) 

This measures how many grains of dissolved minerals are there in a gallon of water. The more the grains, the harder it is. 

Milligrams per liter (mg/L) 

This measures how many milligrams of minerals are there in one liter of water. The more mg/L, the higher the concentration. 

Categories of Water Hardness

The Water Quality Association has classified the water hardness level into 5 categories. It’s something like this— 

So, the water is soft as long as it’s under 1 GPG and anything over 1.5 to 10.5 is hard water. 

The difference between hard water and soft water in table form

Key Differences Between Hard and Soft Water

Mineral Content

Hard water typically has lots of minerals that soft water is almost free of. 

Water that’s packed with over 1.5 grains of minerals each gallon is hard water. The hardness level increases when the concentration and intensity of minerals increase. 

Soft water has fewer minerals so there shouldn’t be any issue of scale buildup. Water having less than 1 to 1.5 grains of minerals every gallon refers to soft water. 

However, softened water may have a higher sodium content when treated artificially. It’s because of the salts used in the softening process for the job. 

Effects on Household Activities

Cleaning Efficiency 

Water influences the cleaning products they work. 

When you shower, wash dishes, or do laundry with hard water, the soaps and detergents don’t lather well. 

The reason is— the minerals react with soap and create soap scum. Here, the scum is a filmy residue that sticks to surfaces. Such residues lower the soap’s ability to lather properly. 

This means you need more products to get things clean. 

With soft water, you don’t face this hassle. It mixes beautifully with cleaning products— allowing them to foam up and do their job effectively. 

You use fewer products which saves money while keeping sinks, bathtubs, and dishes cleaner, and shinier. 

Appliance Longevity

Heavy use of hard water means limescale buildup.

The scale deposits can stick to pipes and appliances and lead to several issues. It clogs pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines. Plus, it causes corrosion and damage to all the stuff. 

This reduces water flow and forces appliances/pipes to work harder. 

Result— 

• Reduced efficiency
• Shortened lifespan
• Higher energy costs

Soft water prevents all that limescale buildup. Instead, your appliances work more efficiently with soft water. No scale deposits mean— 

• Smoother water flow
• Efficient functioning of the appliances and pipes
• Longer lifespan 
• Money-saving benefits

Impact on Personal Care

Skin Health

Several victims report how hard water leaves their skin dry. 

The minerals in hard water can strip away natural oils from the skin. This leads to dryness and flakiness. It doesn’t end there. 

Hard water worsens eczema or psoriasis. So, individuals with sensitive skin or conditions like this may suffer from severe itching and irritation after showering. 

When you use soft water, the skin feels a lot smoother. 

The same sufferers say Goodbye to the irritation. It’s because the mineral-free water stays easy on sensitive skin even if there’s a condition like eczema. 

Besides, it helps preserve the skin's natural hydration levels and keeps the oils in our skin well-regulated. 

Not just that. the water also reduces the need for heavy moisturizer since it lathers well. This makes your skincare routine simpler. 

Hair Care

The minerals make the hair feel rough and look dull. 

This happens because they love to stick to your shaft. It results in brittleness. And your hair gets frizzy and harder to manage. 

Soft water acts as a game-changer for your hair. 

It helps maintain your hair’s natural shine. You’ll see that it’s a lot easier to detangle and style your hair. 

Plus, the water works to make your hair stay vibrant and healthy looking. The reason is its ability to lather well when using shampoo. 

Contact NJ Water Systems for whole home systems and lots of benefits. 

Health Implications 

Interestingly, hard water offers some dietary benefits. How?

It’s a source of nutritional minerals. They are essential for keeping the bones strong and muscles healthy. 

Studies suggest the same. 

Hard water is generally safe for health. However, the minerals can cause it to taste bitter or chalk-like. 

The water may smell like rotten eggs. This happens when magnesium reacts with bacteria. If you don’t want that but need minerals, try other sources like— 

• Citrus and tropical fruits
• Leafy greens
• Broccoli and Brussels sprouts
• Nuts
• Dairy 

Soft water mostly has a higher sodium content— if it’s treated with salt. For those on low-sodium diets or with high blood pressure, it’s one of the disadvantages of soft water. 

To enjoy the water without sodium, consider the reverse osmosis system. It removes most sodium and minerals to give you clean, low-sodium water. 

Drinking soft water has other perks too if sodium isn’t a concern. The water— tastes smooth, is easy on the digestive system, and has a neutral smell. 

This is something hard water lacks. 

Environmental Impact

As we said, soap doesn’t lather well with hard water. So, you end up using more products to get things clean. This leads to a huge waste of water and cleaning products. This makes it an enemy of nature. 

Moreover, more soap means more chemicals getting washed down the drain. This releases extra chemicals into waterways. So, it harms the environment as well. 

With soft water, this doesn’t happen. Rather, it’s eco-friendly. 

The water reduces soap and detergent use since it lathers a lot. Less cleaning product usage means less waste and fewer chemicals released into the environment. 

All these eventually help reduce pollution. 

Identifying Your Water Type

Signs of Hard Water

Testing Methods

Not sure about the water type?

You can test it! 

Several home testing kits are there in the market– online and offline. They let you check the hardness levels with ease. Some of the examples are— 

Water hardness test strips

You drip these strips into water. They’ll change color based on hardness level. It mostly turns from green to red.

The strips are easy to use and give quick results. 

Hach 5-Band Colorimeter Test Kit 

The kit measures total hardness. It provides a more detailed analysis than simple test strips. 

Such kits are slightly more advanced and give accurate results. 

Professional Analysis Services

Many companies offer detailed analyses and reports on hardness levels and mineral content. If you want them, go with professional services. 

They also provide solutions for water treatment based on test results. This ensures safe and optimal water quality for you all. 

Want a reliable water testing service for free? Contact NJ Water Systems Today!

Addressing Water Hardness Issues

Water Softening Techniques

Did you discover that you have hard water? Don’t worry. There are several options to soften it. 

Ion exchange systems

One of the most celebrated methods. 

Ion exchange systems work by removing minerals that cause hardness. They replace the minerals with sodium or potassium through resin beans. 

Here, 

• The beads have a negative charge and
• The minerals have a positive charge

When hard water moves through the system, ion exchange happens and the beads swap them for sodium ions. This softens the water. 

Note that, the method requires regular upkeep. There’s a salt refill and resin bed replacement. 

Reverse osmosis

An all-rounder. 

Reverse osmosis uses ultra-high pressure and pushes water through a special filter. The filter, a semi-porous membrane, traps a wide range of impurities besides minerals and removes them. 

RO system leaves behind the contaminants like:

• Chemicals like minerals
• Agents
• Volatile Organic Compounds
• Dissolved salts
• Heavy metals
• Particulate matter
• Biological contaminants

So, you get both pure and soft water from the system. It ensures a smoother taste, neutral smell, and crystal clear water. 

Keep in mind. It may waste some water during the filtration process. 

Magnetic and electronic descalers

Different techniques.

Magnetic and electronic descalers give you a more contemporary approach to softening water. 

Such devices produce magnetic and electronic fields. This changes the way minerals behave. It means the tech alters the minerals’ structure, chemistry, and physical properties rather than eliminating them. 

The descalers mainly aim to prevent scale deposits and ensure the minerals don’t stick to surfaces. 

Although it’s a low-maintenance method, the efficiency can vary. 

Maintenance Tips

Install a water-softening system

It can be ion exchange, RO system, or descaler. 

Regular cleaning of appliances

Use vinegar and clean your appliances regularly with it. It can be your faucet, showerhead, water heater, or anything. The vinegar can help dissolve scale deposits. 

Rinse aids in the dishwasher

Try a rinse aid. It’s a drying agent that helps improve dishwasher performance and reduce white spots.

Periodic water testing 

Test water once in a while. It can be once a day to month to a year. The idea is to test at least once or twice a year.

Protect Your Home – Eliminate Hard Water Today!

Hard water can cause scale buildup, plumbing damage, and appliance wear, costing you money in repairs. A water softener can extend the life of your home’s plumbing and improve water quality. NJ Water Systems offers expert water testing and softener solutions to keep your home protected. Schedule a free consultation today!

📍 Visit us or book your free water test now!

Hard water vs soft water Reddit Threads

1. Hard vs soft water : r/Hydrology
2. [Question]Hard Water Versus Soft Water? : r/AsianBeauty
3. What's the difference between “hard” and “soft” water?
4. Hard vs soft water : r/Plumbing
5. Is Hard Water Something To Actually Worry About?
6. What causes cities to have hard water vs. soft water?

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is hard water safe to drink?

Yes. There aren’t any adverse effects on health. So, hard water is generally safe for most people to drink. Instead, it provides some dietary minerals. 

Can hard water cause skin problems?

Sadly, yes. The minerals in hard water are enemies of the skin. They strip away natural oils from the skin which results in dryness and flakiness. The hard water also makes the conditions like eczema worse. 

How can I test my home's water hardness?

Try home testing kits for generic results or professional services to get a more detailed assessment of water hardness. Consider NJ Water Systems if you’re looking for a reliable expert to test your home’s water hardness. 

What are the costs associated with installing a water softener?

Costs vary widely based on the system. It can range from a few $100 to over $15,000. The installation fees can go from $200 to $7,000+. 

Does soft water taste salty?

Not really. Soft water should taste neutral since the sodium content added during the softening process is negligible. 

However, those with taste sensitivity may notice a slightly salty taste in softened water— if treated with a salt-based system. 

Which is better hard or soft water?

Depends. Soft water is easier on the skin and appliances, tastes smooth, smells neutral, and saves money. Hard water provides beneficial minerals. 

Benefits-wise— soft water is better. 

How do you know if your water is hard or soft?

Look out for signs. This can be– soap scum, white spots, and dry skin. Testing kits can also help you get accurate results. 

This way, you can determine if your water is hard or soft. 

Is hard water OK to drink?

Yes. Hard water is generally safe. It also offers essential minerals like calcium and magnesium. 

Is it better to shower in soft or hard water?

Most people find soft water better to shower than hard water. Because it keeps the skin and hair feeling soft, hydrated, and healthy. 

Is tap water hard or soft?

Tap water is mainly hard. Because it picks up minerals from different channels and grounds before reaching your faucet.