Hard vs soft water explained (Continued)
On the other hand, house workers will love using soft water, as tasks can actually be performed more efficiently with it. Soap will lather better and items will be left cleaner. Glasses will sparkle and hair will look healthy. The shower curtain will be scum-free. Clothes and skin are left softer. In addition to time, soft water can also save money, as less soap and detergents will be used. Since appliances have to work less hard, soft water can also prolong the life of washing machines, dishwaters and water heaters. Energy bills are noticeably lower when in households with water softeners. In a time when energy costs rise higher and higher, this is something for you to consider. Not to mention the benefit of reduced scale buildup.
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Soft water is not, however, suggested for those with heart or circulatory problems, or others who may be on a low sodium diet. In the softening process, as minerals are removed, sodium content increases. Research shows that cardiovascular disease has the lowest risk in areas where water has the most mineral content.
The Best of Both Worlds: A Solution
There are ways to combat the sodium in soft water, which will allow households to enjoy better tasting water, as well as have the best available water for cleaning needs. They are reverse osmosis, distillation and deionization.
What type is your water? The Water Quality Association of the United States defines hard water as having dissolved mineral hardness of 1 GPG (grain per gallon) or more. Here is a helpful table to show the hardness of water:
- Soft Water- less than 1 gpg
- Slightly Hard- 1-3.5 gpg
- Moderately Hard- 3.5-7 gpg
- Very Hard- 7-10 gpg
- Extremely Hard- over 10 gpg
Read Next: Water Hardness Levels in the USA
