As the water flows through chalk and limestone deposits, it gets no choice but to pass through layers of calcium and magnesium carbonates. The resultant is, however, known as hard water. It is essential to understand that hard water problems are many, and they may not trouble you much when taken in smaller quantities. On the contrary, too much of it may lead to several health complications, such as high blood pressure and kidney stones. Besides, hard water usually gives out a pungent smell and comes with an unpleasant taste.
Hard water utilizes more energy when it comes to heating the water. As a result, it may lead to several environmental issues and energy depletion, thereby shooting up your electric bills. It may also lead to poor water flow and blocked pipes, all intending to intervene in your emergency circumstances. The building up of the scale not only raises your electric bills but, at the same time, will give you difficulty washing off your clothes. This is because the washing detergent will not dissolve in hard water, thereby fading the colors of your clothes. Also, you might witness small holes developing on your fabric over time.
It may also happen that the residue of soap on the skin after a shower may lead to eczema. Your skin would start drying out and develop flakes too. In certain cases, it may also cause hair loss making your hair dry and frizzy. You will end up having rusty pipes and color stains on your bathtubs and the sinks as well. The presence of hard water may even make your dishes appear greasy!
How to deal with hard water problems?
Here are some easy ways to fix hard water problems.
- Boil the hard water
Boiling usually allows the dissolved minerals present in the water to precipitate by removing the presence of calcium in it. As a result, you are left with softer water. Certainly, this is an easy way to fix the issue with hard water. It is great for consumption purposes as well. However, it is essential to understand that this solution works only with temporary hard water and is ineffective in removing permanent hardness though!
- Make use of washing soda.
The presence of carbonic acid salt or sodium carbonate is one of the best ways to deal with hard water while carrying out your laundry. This is quite an effective method to work out with both temporary and permanent hardness. Since washing soda has the potential to get rid of the magnesium and calcium present in hard water, it is quite easy for the mineral ions in the water to deliver the softness that will troubleshoot all your complications.
- Dissolved white vinegar helps in removing the hard water stains
Since calcium is naturally alkaline, using white distilled vinegar (being acidic in nature) will assist in neutralizing the calcium present in the hard water. All you need is to just use a bit of distilled white vinegar on the appliances and on the surface of your vessels to get rid of the stains and spots that are otherwise caused due to hard water.
- Use a magnetic water conditioner.
Using this magnetic water conditioner in the main water line is an effective way to deal with the hardness of your water. However, this will work only when you have little to moderate hard water flowing in your homes. This is because the magnetic field will segregate the mineral ions. Preventing them from forming the limescale that is the main culprit in your story.
- Use a cleaning aid to remove the soap scum.
The chemical constituents present in the soap, when it reacts with the minerals in hard water, lead to soap scum. This soap scum is basically the white layer circling all around the tiles, drains, sinks, and tubs. The best idea to deal with this trouble is to use a cleaning formula that can fix the trouble. Multiple products in the market usually contain molecules that will battle with the calcium atoms in the hard water; thereby preventing them from forming that scum.