How to Treat Hard Water and Its Effects: 5 Methods to Try
It’s not hard to soften up your water supply
If you’re tired of scrubbing stains out of your shower, drinking from splotchy glassware, and dealing with all the other issues caused by hard water, it’s time to learn how to treat hard water in your home. Whether you want to treat the hard water at the source or tackle the effects of it, we’ve got you covered. Here are some strategies for dealing with hard water so you can enjoy a cleaner home and protect your plumbing.
What Is Hard Water?
Hard water is water with a high concentration of minerals. It occurs when groundwater flows through mineral-rich soil and rock and, in the process, absorbs those minerals. Calcium and magnesium are the most common minerals found in hard water, but it can contain others, as well, including aluminum, iron, and zinc.
How to Identify Hard Water
Hard water is present in many parts of the U.S., including the Southwest and Midwest. Look out for the following signs of hard water to figure out if it’s in your home:
Limescale buildup in toilets, sinks, and showers
Residue on dishes and silverware
Stiff or faded clothes
Dry or irritated skin
Dull or brittle hair
Soap that doesn’t lather easily
High water bills
If these signs sound familiar, the next step is to test your water hardness to find out exactly how hard your water is. The results will help you determine the right solution.
How to Treat Hard Water at Home
Once you’ve confirmed that you have hard water, you have several options for fixing it, including installing a water softener, reducing the water temperature, boiling water, or using vinegar, washing soda, or appliance cleaner to treat the effects. Here’s what to do based on the severity of the issue:
Treat the Water Directly
If your goal is to soften your home’s water before drinking or using it, you can install a water softener, reduce the water temperature, or boil your water.
Install a Water Softener
Installing a water softener is a more comprehensive solution that treats all of the water coming into your home. Whole-house water softening systems connect to your main water supply line and are highly effective at fixing hard water issues.
There are several types of water softeners, each of which has a different method for removing minerals or contaminants from water. For example, an ion exchanger is a popular kind of water softener that replaces calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions. No matter which kind you get, a water softener is your best choice for treating hard water.
Reduce the Water Temperature
If you’re dealing with moderately hard water, you may be able to soften it by lowering the temperature of your water heater. That’s because heat can separate the minerals in hard water, allowing them to collect on your water heater faster (and worsen your hard water problems). Set your water heater’s temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit and see if the hard water issues ease up.
Boil Your Water
There are two categories of hard water—temporary and permanent—and the difference lies in the types of compounds they contain. If you have temporary hard water, boiling it will help reduce its hardness. Additionally, boiling can only reduce the water hardness of very hard water, so it might not make much of a difference if you only have slightly hard water.
To treat hard water by boiling, fill a clean pot or kettle with water. Bring it to a boil for a few minutes, and then turn off the heat. Minerals should settle at the bottom of the pot (they may not be visible). Once the water cools completely, scoop up the top portion of the water and pour it into a clean container.
Treat the Effects of Hard Water
Want to treat the unpleasant effects of hard water in your home? Try using an appliance cleaner, vinegar, or washing soda to your advantage.
Use an Appliance Cleaner or Vinegar
Many brands sell cleaning products specifically designed to reduce the effects of hard water on your appliances. However, vinegar is highly effective at removing calcium buildup in pipes and getting rid of hard water stains.
Not only is vinegar natural and affordable, but it also works on most surfaces (just don’t use it on grout or natural stone). All you have to do is spray, let it sit, and wipe it off. You can even clear out hard water deposits in appliances (like coffee makers and washing machines) by pouring vinegar into the appliance and running a normal cycle.
Use Washing Soda in Your Washing Machine
Washing soda, also known as sodium carbonate, is a cleaning agent that’s similar to baking soda, but it’s more abrasive. It acts as a natural water softener for both temporary and permanent hard water, and it’s useful for reducing water hardness in your washing machine. Just add a cup of sodium carbonate (not baking soda) into your load of laundry with your usual detergent.
However, according to the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, consuming washing soda can be dangerous, so you shouldn’t use it to treat drinking water or any type of water that comes into direct contact with your body.
Tips for Dealing With Hard Water
Sometimes, you might need to work with hard water rather than fight against it. There are a few ways to do this, including:
Switching shampoo and soap: To prevent calcium buildup in your hair, choose a shampoo that contains apple cider vinegar. Similarly, bath products made with sodium or potassium may neutralize heavy metals.
Using a rinse aid: If you’re sick of stained dishes and silverware, using a dishwasher rinse aid can help. The chemicals in these products prevent water from sticking to surfaces, leaving you with squeaky clean dishware.
Protecting your water heater: Hard water minerals can build up in your water heater. Over time, this can reduce its efficiency or cause it to break down. To prevent calcium from damaging your water heater, make sure to flush it and descale the tank at least twice per year.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
There are some DIY-friendly methods for treating hard water, such as lowering your water heater temperature or installing a point-of-use water filter. However, these options are best reserved for houses with moderately hard water or people who can’t install full-scale soft water systems.
If you have extremely hard water, installing a water softener is the most effective way to treat it. Be aware, though, that this project requires plumbing knowledge and working with heavy equipment, so you should call a local water softener installation company to handle it for you.
On average, a new water softener costs $200 to $6,000, depending on the type of softener system, the size of your home, and other factors. Hiring a professional to install it will add $150 to $1,000 in labor costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the type of surface. For instance, if you’re trying to get rid of hard water deposits on glass, you can spray vinegar onto the surface and wipe it off with a soft cloth or non-abrasive sponge. However, if the deposits are on granite or natural stone, it’s better to use baking soda and water rather than vinegar or other acidic cleaners.
Water purifiers and water softeners serve different purposes, so the best one will depend on your particular needs. Water purifiers remove contaminants from water (such as bacteria, viruses, and chemicals), leaving you with ultra-clean and safe water. However, water softeners remove minerals from your water so that the water doesn’t leave stains around your house or cause plumbing problems.