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Hard water, which contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium, can be softened using several methods, typically by boiling or treating with chemicals. While studies do not indicate that hard water is harmful to health, it can cause inconvenience. The minerals found in hard water often form deposits that clog drainage holes, stain glass and tiles, and leave residue on hair and skin. Fortunately, softening hard water is relatively simple and does not require much time, effort, or skill.
Steps
Softening Water in the Kitchen
Boil the water. The boiling method only works for certain types of hard water ("temporary hardness"), so it may not be effective for all households. You can test whether this method works for your home by following these steps:
- Boil the water for several minutes.
- Let the water cool for a few hours. The white minerals will settle at the bottom of the pot.
- Pour or scoop out the water from the top, leaving the minerals in the pot.
Tip: Before drinking water, eliminate the "flat" taste by pouring the water back and forth between two containers. This method will restore the air lost during boiling.
Purchase an ion exchange filter. Some filters are designed to attach to the kitchen faucet, while others are in the form of a water pitcher for drinking water. Softened water often tastes better, but the effectiveness depends on the specific minerals in the water.
- These "filters" don’t remove most contaminants unless they come with an additional filter (such as activated carbon or reverse osmosis filter).
- Many coffee enthusiasts dislike the taste of coffee made with softened water. You may want to find a faucet with a switch to use hard water for brewing coffee.
Softening Water for Laundry
Use a non-precipitating fabric softener in your wash load. This product will capture some of the minerals in the water while washing. Be sure to purchase a "non-precipitating" version — you may need to search online. Avoid using the "precipitating" type, as it will leave residue on your clothes and washing machine. Once you've selected a product, add it to your washer as follows:
- Add the softener during the second rinse cycle. Skipping this step will result in all the minerals sticking back to your clothes.
Tip: Add the softener during the wash cycle as directed on the product label. If you’re unsure of the water hardness, keep adding softener until the water feels slippery and bubbles form during the wash cycle.
Removing Hard Water Stains with Vinegar. Distilled white vinegar can eliminate white stains from fabrics, drains, or ceramics caused by mineral buildup. Pour undiluted white vinegar or dilute it with an equal amount of water, scrub, and rinse. This temporary solution can sometimes be discouraging if the deposits form too quickly. If your water hardness is low, this method is cost-effective.
- Hard water also stiffens towels. You can treat your towels using this method.
- Vinegar may bleach some fabrics and damage ceramic stones.
- Some people add ½ cup (120 ml) of vinegar to the washing machine's rinse cycle, though others believe vinegar can damage the rubber seals of the machine. It's advisable to check with the manufacturer about this.
Softening Water for Household Use
Test the water hardness. You can easily find inexpensive test strips online or purchase a more accurate water hardness testing kit.
Choose the correct size water softener unit. Most water hardness tests in the U.S. measure hardness in "grains per gallon (gpg)". Multiply this result by the average number of gallons your household uses daily (based on your water bill). This gives the number of "grains" of hardness that the softener will treat each day. Choose a softener unit with a capacity ten times this number. This means the softener will effectively operate for ten days before requiring a replacement.
- The average American household uses 100 gallons of water per day (or 70 gallons if softening only household water).
- For example, if your water hardness is 9 gpg, and you use 300 gallons per day, you have 9 x 300 = 2,700 grains per day. Therefore, a softener with a 27,000 grain capacity (2,700 x 10) would be suitable.
Select the type of water softener system. Currently, ion-exchange water softeners are the most effective household models. Most other devices are far less efficient, and some may even be scams. Ion-exchange water softeners come in two types:
- Sodium chloride: Common and the most effective. This device adds a small amount of salt (sodium) to the water.
- Potassium chloride: Less effective, but useful if you don't want sodium. Potassium can harm those with kidney disease or conditions that impair potassium absorption.
- If you prefer not to use sodium or potassium, you can choose one of these types and add a reverse osmosis filter to remove sodium or potassium after the water is softened.
Understanding how to maintain water softening equipment. After narrowing down your options, it's time to evaluate the details. Some devices automatically recharge and remain inactive during this period, while others recharge when the resin beads drop too low. Certain models can be programmed to regenerate at specific intervals, such as weekly, ensuring you won't have to worry about sudden hard water issues.
Consider renting equipment. You have the option to either buy or rent a water softening device, paying a monthly rental fee. Renting saves you from a one-time purchase cost and eliminates the need for installation, as technicians will handle that for you. It's advisable to obtain at least two quotes for the installation fee and rental costs.
Tip: When comparing prices, be sure to check for certification marks like NSF or WQA. While these marks don’t guarantee the highest quality, they help distinguish between products that have been tested and those that may be fraudulent.
Installing a water softening device. If you choose to install the equipment yourself, follow the instructions provided in the guide linked with this article. Most water softeners come with installation guides, though having plumbing experience will certainly be beneficial.
Tip
- A water softening system can save you money in the long run compared to continuously purchasing fabric softener and paying for drainpipe repairs.
Warning
- Reverse osmosis (RO) filters will only soften water temporarily before mineral buildup damages the filter. It's recommended to use an ion-exchange filter for softening, in combination with a reverse osmosis filter to remove other contaminating minerals. You can find devices that feature both filters.
- Be cautious of water softening devices marketed with methods other than ion exchange. Most of these are nothing more than pseudoscience, including products that use magnets, electric coils, radio waves, or 'catalysts.' At best, these products might reduce mineral buildup on household appliances, but many don’t even accomplish that.
