Hard Water Vs Soft Water

Universal solvent, water dissolves a large number of minerals on its way. Chiefly comprising of calcium and magnesium, hard water flows above the rocks, on hillsides and level ground. Hard water which when collected and passed through treatment plants before consumption and usage to get rid of its high mineral content is known as soft water. But we have to remember that soft water is not always treated water. Sometimes, water of a particular area is soft naturally. Low proportion of minerals in water is indeed not congenial to human health which is why several medical experts recommend hard water for consumption. On the other hand, hard water is harsh to our skin as well as to the garments, due the presence of the same minerals which makes it good for consumption. The differences between soft water and hard water are many. Below listed are advantages and disadvantages of hard water and soft water. Check them out

Advantages Of Soft Water

Soft water works up a soap lather quickly. Also, it is easy to wash off the soap using soft water. The result is skin that retains its moisture and smoothness. Using soft water also reduces chances of a skin disease.
Clothes rinsed in soft water have a longer shelf life than clothes washed in hard water. Minerals lead to corrosion of fabrics. Since soft water does not have f minerals, clothes washed using it have greater chances of having a longer shelf life.
If your crockery and utensils are washed using soft water, not only will you be able to wash off the dirt faster, your crockery will also retain its original color rather than attain the reddish tinge of minerals.
Unlike hard water, soft water, when passes through the pipelines, does not leave mineral deposit on the inner surface of the pipes, thereby causing less damage. Also, soft water does not contain limescale which helps in limiting the expenditure while using water heater.

Disadvantages Of Soft Water

The chief disadvantage of soft water is that it is totally devoid of essential mineral content. Soft water is known to have caused serious heart ailments and coronary diseases.

Advantages of Hard Water

A study of the National Academy of Sciences says that drinking hard water is good for health, as it supplements the necessary amounts of minerals like calcium and magnesium.

Disadvantages Of Hard Water

You cannot work up a quick lather when using hard water. Hard water leaves behind some minerals on the top surface of the skin, leading to dryness and roughness. The invisible layer of minerals also prevents the removal of harmful bacteria from your skin while washing. The soap curd that is left behind may cause skin irritation and eruption.
Minerals in hard water combine with dirt in clothes to form an insoluble soil that leads to clothes losing their shine. The soil also means that dirt cannot be removed easily from the clothes in the next wash.
Washing hair with hard water means that your tresses will eventually attain a natural reddish tinge, which is difficult to remove in any natural way.
It is said that pipes through which hard water passes have to be replaced more often. This is because of the fact that the minerals in hard water form a hard coating on the inner walls of pipelines, which ultimately lead to choking of the pipe and also corrosion of the pipe’s metal.
Using boilers in which hard water is boiled means greater expenditure. The limescale present in hard water increases the electricity bills by as high as 25 percent.

The ideal water is a combination of hard water and soft water. The safest bet is to use a water conditioner, which successfully attains this and ensures a healthy you as well as your surroundings.

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