Water – one of life’s most basic needs. We all know how important water is and I think most of us know that we probably don’t drink as much as we should for health reasons. But what else do you really know about water; such a simple, yet insanely complex substance. Do you know the difference between hard water and soft or how to solve hard water problems in your home? I’ll admit, I didn’t really know anything about all of that stuff until we moved out to the country and went from pretty decent city water to a well which had entirely different components to the water. Now it wasn’t bad or anything, just noticeably different.
What is hard water? As rainwater passes through the earth and into other means of water, it picks up certain “hardness” materials, like calcium and magnesium. As you can imagine, where you live has a huge impact on your water supply. If you live in an area with hard water problems and you’re not using a little contraption called a water softener, you should be.
Now it’s not glamorous or anything but just the fact that having a water softener is easier on our plumbing is a huge benefit for us. Not only are there the obvious benefits like nicer feeling hair after a shower and cleaner looking dishes, but in the long run we save money on maintenance since soft water is so much easier on our pipes, plumbing, and appliances. Those streaks and spots on your beautiful glasses even though you washed and dried them thoroughly? That’s probably hard water. Is your hair a little dull, limp or gritty feeling instead of super soft and manageable after showering? Could have something to do with hard water as well. Hard water can even impact your power bill and the lifespan of your appliances since they have to work harder as more calcium builds up on the inside. Seriously…I was shocked when I learned all of this as well. In fact, if you have a pretty severe hard water problem, things can be ugly, literally ugly, without a good water softener system in the house.
The streaks, the spots, the yucky feeling hair, the crusty crap on the faucets, and the clogged pipes… those things don’t have to be the norm. There are so many reasons you should soften your water that you wouldn’t even realize! Think less soap required to clean your clothes, no more harsh water stains in your tubs, less buildup in your appliances…all some pretty decent benefits if you ask me. At the end of the day soft water can save you time, money, and have you feeling your best. We’ve had a water softener in our home for several years now and I don’t think I could go back to not having one. Paired with Morton Salt Water Softening products which are super easy to purchase, open, and load, it really was a no-brainer for our household. Check out this informative video by Morton Salt to learn more about how water softeners work! Want to find out if you do in fact have hard water in your home? Just by visiting Morton Salt and filling out a form, they will send you a free water test strip to determine if you have any hard water issues.
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Rockford Johnson says
April 6, 2016 at 1:26 pmCool post! Thank you for helping me understand the benefits of a water softening system. I like how you said that “The streaks, the spots, the yucky feeling hair, the crusty crap on the faucets, and the clogged pipes… those things don’t have to be the norm. There are so many reasons you should soften your water that you wouldn’t even realize!” I have never used water softeners before but I can imagine how helpful they can be when helping water systems to run smoothly.
Jason says
April 8, 2016 at 4:04 pmUp until January of this year, I never realized how beneficial a water softener was not only for our home but for the entire family! My daughter’s skin asthma hasn’t flared up since and I’ve noticed an improvement in my own skin as well. I used to think a water softener was just an added expense but now I know it’s definitely worth the investment.
Paloma Achlen says
April 23, 2016 at 2:08 amHello Alison, thanks for sharing this helpful article. I never thought about the benefits of water softener. But now I also want a water softener in my house 🙂
Ryan Petersen says
June 13, 2016 at 12:59 amGreat Share,,,
A water softener is a unit that is used to soften water by removing the minerals that cause the water to be hard. When water contains a high level of calcium and magnesium it is called hard water. Hard water constitutes several problems throughout your home that you may or may not have noticed.
Lillian Schaeffer says
August 10, 2016 at 11:28 amThis is some great information, and I appreciate your point that soft water is easier on your plumbing. My husband and I just moved into a new house, and it seems to be harder to get rid of streaks on the glass here, so I think the water is hard. I want to keep our plumbing running in good condition, so I’ll definitely look into the possibility of installing a softener. Thanks for the great post!
Erika Brady says
September 21, 2016 at 10:48 amI had no idea of all of the benefits that come with having soft water! My glasses ALWAYS have streaks on them no matter how well I dry them. I did not realize that that is most likely due to the hard water! This information is so great. I will share it with my husband so he can see why need to switch to soft water. Thanks so much!