What is the Difference Between Soft and Hard Water?

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For people not used to thinking about water, the question of differences between hard and soft water often creates another question: How can water be hard or soft? Isn’t water just plain old hydrogen and oxygen? This is its form when it drops from clouds onto our heads, and into streams, lakes, rivers and oceans, or simply onto the ground. However, once water hits the ground, it begins to pick up trace elements of minerals, and the more minerals it contains, the harder it becomes. Many of us enjoy hard water, particularly for drinking. It tends to taste better. Yet hard water for washing can leave mineral deposits on dishes, clothing and hair. You may not feel as clean when you shower in it, and over time, your clothing can become dingy, and your hair lackluster and dull if it’s repeatedly washed in hard water. Since hard water is less desirable for cleaning purposes, some people specifically employ water softeners, or water pumped to people may be softened. Removing minerals and ...  more

Soft water has had the majority of hard minerals removed, such as iron and lime.  more