Difference Between Hard Water and Soft Water
Rainwater is said to be the purest form of water. Initially, the rainwater is soft, but as it comes down to meet the ground, it gets mixed with different minerals like calcium and magnesium and becomes hard.
Hard water contains minerals and ions, while soft water is devoid of them.
Most people prefer to drink hard water because of its taste and the fact that it has minerals.
However, one should always take care of the level of hardness in hard water.
On the other hand, it is advised that one should use soft water for bathing and doing other household chores.
Are you now confused and wondering how you will differentiate between hard water and soft water?
Well, don’t worry, we will tell you the difference between hard water and soft water, in detail.
Hard Water
Hard water contains a high content of minerals. When soft water comes with the combination of calcium and magnesium, hard water is formed. Soft water can become hard water in the atmosphere itself or when it percolates and passes through mineral deposits.
When you drink hard water, you gain health benefits. However, it should be done moderately. Many people prefer drinking hard water because of its sweet taste. Soft water is generally tasteless or salty.
Having said that, in the industrial setting, hard water poses many critical problems. For instance, hard water wears or breaks down cooling towers, boilers, and other equipment.
In fact, hard water also poses problems in domestic settings. You can often see scaling or deposits of limescale in electric kettles and water heaters. Hard water also prevents the formation of lather or foam while using soap. Have you ever found your hair dry and sticky even after you have washed it? If yes, the culprit behind it is the hard water. In such a scenario, the hard water is often softened.
Also, not to forget, when different industrial or household appliances use hard water to function, it not only ruins the appliance but also affects the energy consumption of the devices. You can expect a fat bill if all the appliances use hard water to run.
More details – Hard water and its pros and cons.
Soft Water
Soft water has a very low concentration of ions. Two primary ions which are extremely low in concentration are calcium and magnesium. Soft water is naturally occurring water. The softness of the water is maintained in the basin where impervious and hard rock is present.
Many people interchangeably use the word soft water and softened water. But that is wrong as both of them are different. Softened water often contains a high level of sodium and bicarbonate ions.
As no minerals are present in soft water, the lathering process of soap is good, and no soap scum is formed. Similarly, you do not encounter the problem of calcium deposits in different appliances when you are using soft water.
As soft water doesn’t hamper the functioning of any appliances, it is mostly preferred for doing various domestic and industrial chores. Soft water is also good for your skin. And the lifespan of different appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, and water heaters is maintained.
When you use soft water after using hard water, you will also see a noticeable difference in the electricity bill.
Even though soft water has no harmful effects, softened water might cause a few health problems. In the process of converting hard water into soft water on a large scale, often many chemicals are added. If you directly drink this water, it might cause a problem. It is therefore advised that the softened water is adequately filtered. It is only after then that it becomes fit for consumption.
Difference Between Hard Water and Soft Water
Now that you know about hard water and soft water, you might have a clear idea about the differences between hard and soft water.
In this section, we will summarise the difference between the two, so it becomes crystal clear.
Click to read: Difference Between TDS and Hardness
The main difference between hard and soft water is its mineral content. Hard water contains minerals like calcium, magnesium, and lime. On the other hand, soft water is devoid of any such minerals.
Hard water tastes sweet and is often used for drinking purposes. Soft water is generally bitter or tasteless. However, if the level of hardness of the water is not taken into consideration, it might have a hazardous effect. If you have softened the hard water using some chemical or salt, proper care should be taken for filtering the water to get rid of calcium and bicarbonate ions.
Hard water damages both industrial and domestic appliances and therefore is dangerous. It also prevents the formation of soap lather. It can be said that it reduces both the efficiency of soap and appliances.
Hard water also damages the clothes and forms white stains.
Your skin becomes dry and itchy, and your hair becomes sticky when you use hard water to clean your body. On the other hand, soft water is considered skin-friendly, and it does not cause any such problems.
How Can You Tell if the Water is Hard or Soft?
You do not need to visit a laboratory to know whether the water that you are using is hard or soft. There are many different easy ways by which you will have a clear idea of whether you are using hard or soft water.
You can simply carry out the bottle test to know whether it is hard water or soft water. All you need is a plastic bottle and dishwashing liquid. Empty the bottle, and fill half of it with water from the tap. Then add five drops of dishwashing liquid. Now shake the water. Initially, some foam will form. If the foam stays for a prolonged period, then the water is soft. However, if the foam subsides, the water that you are using is hard water.
You can also differentiate between hard water and soft water by plain observation. Check your tub and shower. Can you see white mineral scales on it? If yes, then you are being supplied with hard water. If you do not see any scale deposits, then you are using soft water. Similarly, you can check your clothes for stains!
With these two simple processes, you will know whether you are using hard water or soft water.
Wrap Up
Both hard water and soft water have their benefits. If you have realized that your appliances are using hard water for operation, then it’s time for you to soften it. You can use a water softener for the shower or a tap for converting hard water to soft water. For softening a small volume of water, you can try boiling it or using vinegar to remove the minerals.
You need to take special care of the drinking water. Softening the water is simply not enough. You will also have to filter the water to remove impurities and extra ions from it. RO purification is the best form of water purification for hard water as it does not use any salt or chemical. It reduces the hardness by filtering out dissolved solids like calcium and magnesium.
If you prefer drinking hard water, it is advised that you check the hardness level of the water first. If the hardness level of the water is low, you can drink it for gaining various health benefits.
