Last Updated on July 17, 2022 by Gary Stephen
If you have hard water in your home, then you need to convert it to soft water. Hard water can seriously damage your home’s plumbing system, not to mention it is filled with foreign contaminants and even germs. If you drink tap water, then drinking hard water can be very bad for your health. Soft water is smoother, easier to drink, and it’s a lot gentler on your home’s plumbing.
But how are you supposed to convert your home’s hard water to soft? This post will answer that question for you so that you don’t have to suffer with hard water anymore:
Water Softener
A lot of people just use water softeners to soften their home’s water. According to the water treatment experts from https://waterfilterguru.com/water-softener-systems/, approximately 25% of U.S. citizens use water softeners to treat their water. The use of water softeners is also commonplace in Europe and the United Kingdom. They attach to your home’s water tank and eliminate calcium, magnesium, and other minerals from your drinking water. The installation of a water softener should only be done by a trained professional because plumbing experience is required. Water softeners are by far the most effective and quickest way of softening your home’s water and making it drinkable.
Boiling Water
Another effective way of removing hard water is to boil it, although boiling it only removes a type of hardness called temporary hardness. Temporary hardness is when your home’s water has carbonates and bicarbonates of calcium and magnesium present, whereas permanent hardness (which you will need a water softener for) is because of calcium and magnesium’s sulfates and chlorides. If you have temporary hardness, then all you need to do is to boil the water for a few minutes, then siphon the water out of the pot or kettle and leave the minerals behind. If you do not siphon the water then grit will end up in your drink.
Softener Attachment
If you want a water softener but don’t have the money or time to buy one that attaches to your home’s water tank, then you do have another option. It is possible to purchase a small water softener that attaches to your kitchen faucet. Attachable water softeners do work very well, although if you have permanent softness, it can sometimes not work. Softener attachments work better for temporary hardness because it is easier for these devices to filter out calcium and magnesium.
Water Conditioner
Hard water can be very harsh on your clothes, so if you use a washing machine and have hard water make sure that you treat your water first with a conditioner. A non-precipitating water conditioner will trap your water’s minerals during the washing process so that they don’t stick to your clothes. Once you have washed your clothes you should then go back and rinse out your machine. This is to remove the built-up leftover calcium and minerals. Make sure that you don’t buy precipitating water conditioners when you are out shopping for them. You can purchase non-precipitating water conditioners online.
Vinegar Treatment
If you have any hard water spots on clothes, porcelain, cutlery, or drains, then you can dab them with vinegar. Vinegar won’t remove hard water on a large scale but it can be used to reverse the damage that it causes. Make sure that you use distilled white vinegar for this. If you use any other kind of vinegar, then you could cause even more stains and damage to your belongings. You should always dilute the vinegar with an equal amount of water because it is highly acidic. You can cause damage to fabrics by applying straight vinegar to them, especially if they are already worn down.
Water Measurement
If you suspect that your home has hard water, then the first thing that you should do is measure it. You can purchase a water measurement device online. A water measurement device will be able to tell you how much calcium and magnesium are present in your water. An alternative to purchasing a measurement device (and then using it) yourself is to hire a professional plumber to come in. In most cases, it’s best to hire a plumber. This is because a plumber will be able to measure your water and then install your water softener if they deem fit that you need one. Always buy your own water softener, so that you can save money. Plumbers tend to overcharge.
Reading Reviews
Before you rush out and purchase a water filter, make sure that you read reviews. Not reading reviews before purchasing anything is a bad idea. If you do not read reviews, then you won’t be able to make effective purchase decisions. Products and companies that are badly reviewed should be avoided because they could end up being a waste of your time and money.
The quality of one’s water has a great influence on how easily one’s home can be enjoyed. If you can’t comfortably drink tap water or take baths, and if a residue is left behind in your sink and drain, you need to act. The way to act is to install a water softener or to follow the other tips mentioned here.
