Spots on your glasses? Dry skin after a shower? You might have hard water. Find out what it is and how to fix it.

You open the dishwasher, and your supposedly clean glasses are covered in a white film. You step out of the shower and your skin feels tight and your hair feels dull. You find yourself using more and more detergent, but your clothes never feel completely soft. If this sounds familiar, you aren’t fighting a bad brand of soap—you’re fighting an invisible enemy: hard water.

What Exactly Is Hard Water?

In simple terms, “hard water” is water that has a high concentration of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. As water travels through the ground and rock, it picks up these minerals. “Soft water,” on the other hand, has a very low concentration of them.

While drinking hard water isn’t harmful to your health, it does wreak havoc on your home and your body.

The 4 Main Problems of Hard Water:

1. Damage to Pipes and Appliances: Calcium and magnesium build up inside your pipes, water heaters, coffee makers, and dishwashers. This buildup, known as limescale, reduces water flow, decreases energy efficiency, and dramatically shortens the lifespan of your appliances.
2. Dry Skin and Hair: The minerals in hard water react with soap to form an insoluble film (the same film that clouds your glasses). This film clings to your skin, clogging pores and causing dryness and irritation. On your hair, it leaves a residue that makes it look dull and lifeless.
3. Less Efficient Cleaning: Soap doesn’t lather properly in hard water. This means you need to use more shampoo, more laundry detergent, and more dish soap to get the same results, which translates to higher costs.
4. Spots and Residue: That white film on your faucets, shower doors, and dishes is the direct result of mineral deposits left behind when the water evaporates.

The Solution: A Water Softener

The most effective way to combat hard water is to install a water softener. This system works through a process called ion exchange, where it removes the hardness minerals (calcium and magnesium) and replaces them with sodium ions, which do not cause the problems mentioned above.

Think you might have hard water? Don’t guess. The first step to enjoying the benefits of soft water is knowing for sure what you’re dealing with. Schedule your free, professional water analysis today and discover how you can protect your home and improve your well-being.