Hard Water vs. Soft Water: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters

Do you know the difference between hard water vs. soft water? The type of water in your home can impact everything from soap lathering to the lifespan of your water heater. Understanding if you have hard water or soft water can help you improve your showers, protect your plumbing, and even add to your personal comfort. Learn more here, and continue reading, to know more about hard vs. soft water. 

What Is the Difference Between Hard Water and Soft Water?

Hard water contains high levels of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium, while soft water has been treated to remove these minerals. Hard water can leave residue on plumbing fixtures, cause scale buildup in appliances, and make soap less effective. Soft water, on the other hand, improves soap lathering, prevents scale buildup, and reduces wear on household appliances.

Here’s a closer look at the differences between hard water vs. soft water: 

What Is Hard Water?

“Hard water” describes water containing dissolved minerals like calcium, sulfur, magnesium, or iron. These minerals occur naturally in water that percolates through limestone, chalk, and gypsum deposits. 

Water with more than 7.5 grains per gallon (gpg) of dissolved minerals is considered hard, a level that makes up approximately 85% of water in the United States.

What Are the Signs of Hard Water?

If you have hard water, you might notice these common signs:

• Soap scum buildup in sinks, bathtubs, and showers
• Dry skin and dull hair due to mineral residue
• Spots on dishes and glassware even after washing
• Limescale deposits on faucets, showerheads, and appliances
• Reduced water pressure from mineral buildup in pipes

What Are the Effects of Hard Water?

Hard water can lead to a variety of household and personal care issues, including:

• Plumbing wear: Mineral deposits accumulate inside pipes, leading to clogs and reduced water flow. You might even have to clean your showerhead more often to prevent buildup.
• Appliance efficiency: Water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines may wear out faster due to scale buildup.
• Skin and hair issues: Hard water residue can leave skin feeling dry and hair looking dull.

How to Test Water Hardness in Your Home

If you’re on a municipal water supply, your water provider’s latest water quality report should include local water hardness levels. This information only reflects water hardness as water leaves local treatment facilities; conditions between the treatment plant and your home can still affect the hardness of water from your tap. 

Otherwise, here are a few other ways to tell if you have hard water:

• Soap test: Fill a bottle halfway with water, add 10 drops of liquid soap, and shake. If the water doesn’t produce suds easily, you likely have hard water.
• Test strips: Purchase water hardness test strips from a hardware store, dip them in tap water, and compare the results to the provided chart.
• Digital water testers: Electronic meters measure dissolved solids to provide a more precise reading of water hardness.
• Professional testing: A local water treatment company can analyze your water and recommend appropriate solutions. This option will be a lot more expensive than a DIY test.

After testing for water hardness, if you have extremely hard water, you may benefit from a water softener. Water softeners have pros and cons, but overall, they can reduce many of the disadvantages of hard water.

What Is Soft Water?

Soft water has less than 7.5 gpg of dissolved minerals. It can occur naturally but is more often the result of water-softening systems in the U.S. Water-softening systems exchange calcium and magnesium for sodium or potassium ions. The result is water that won’t leave behind troublesome scale and damage your appliances.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Hard and Soft Water

When comparing hard vs. soft water, it’s important to look at the pros and cons.

Advantages of hard water

Humans need calcium and magnesium, so drinking hard water can help you get the recommended daily intake of these minerals. Also, some people find the taste of hard water refreshing.

Disadvantages of hard water

Unfortunately, the benefits of hard water typically don’t outweigh its many disadvantages, which include: 

• Dull and/or greasy hair
• Dry, itchy skin
• Visible white stains or chalky buildup on sinks, faucets, and bathtubs
• Mineral accumulations in plumbing pipes and appliances causing clogs and malfunctions
• Difficulty getting soaps, shampoo, and detergents to lather up
• Starchy, itchy clothes that do not look fully clean even after washing
• Increased accumulation of minerals and “sludge” in water heaters
• Spots on glassware and dishes
• Less efficient water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines with shorter working lives
• Unpleasant water taste and odor

Advantages of soft water

The benefits of soft water include: 

• Better-tasting water without harsh mineral flavors
• Less mineral accumulation on plumbing pipes and appliances
• Healthier skin and hair
• Cleaner clothes and dishes
• More effective soaps and detergents

Disadvantages of soft water

Because the main way to soften water is by adding sodium, this creates a number of soft water cons:

• Can taste slightly salty if treated with sodium-based softeners
• May require regular maintenance for water softener systems
• Not ideal for watering plants due to reduced mineral content

What Is the Best Water Softener for Your Home?

If you’re considering installing a water softener, here are the most common system types:

• Salt-based water softeners use ion exchange to remove minerals and replace them with sodium or potassium. They’re effective but require regular salt refills.
• Salt-free water softeners that use potassium chloride instead of salt have less environmental impact but are best suited for low-water-use households.
• Magnetic water softeners claim to pull dissolved minerals out of water using magnetism, but the efficiency of such systems has yet to be proven. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Hard Water vs. Soft Water

Is hard water bad for you?

While it may taste unpleasant, hard water is not usually harmful. The calcium and magnesium in hard water help people get their daily recommended amount of these minerals and may have a protective effect on cardiovascular health, although the evidence for this is currently under debate. 

Hard water may aggravate existing skin conditions because of the soap scum left on the skin after washing. The National Eczema Association reports hard water can worsen eczema conditions and may lead to “atopic skin conditions early in life.”

Can hard water damage your plumbing?

Yes. Hard water can lead to mineral deposits inside pipes, reducing water flow and increasing the risk of clogs. Appliances affected by hard water mineral accumulations must work harder and use more energy. 

Do I need a water softener?

If you notice issues like limescale buildup, soap scum, or reduced water pressure, a water softener may be a good investment. It can extend the life of appliances, improve soap efficiency, and enhance water quality for bathing and cleaning.

Is It Time to Soften Your Water?

If you're experiencing signs of hard water, it may be time to test your water and consider a softening solution. A water softener can improve your home’s plumbing, extend appliance life, and provide a better bathing and cleaning experience. 

Want to learn more about your options? Contact a Roto-Rooter professional to assess your water quality and recommend the best system for your needs. Roto-Rooter installs top-quality whole-house water softener and filtration systems for homes of all sizes.