What Causes Hard Water and How Do You Soften It?

“Hard water” might sound like an oxymoron—unless something is really wrong, you probably don’t have ice flowing out of your spigots. But water’s “hardness” doesn't refer to its physical state—it refers to the water’s mineral content. The more minerals that are in your water, the higher the water’s level on the hardness scale. Hard water isn’t a health hazard, but it can be a nuisance. Let’s take a closer look at what causes hard water and how to get rid of it.

Common Causes for Water Hardness

Hard water is caused by a higher level of mineral content in the liquid water. Most commonly, those minerals include calcium and magnesium, but other minerals and metals can also contribute to hardness. Although less common than calcium and magnesium, these may include:

• Aluminum

• Barium

• Iron

• Manganese

• Strontium

• Zinc

Groundwater naturally varies in hardness level depending on where you live. Water supplies that flow through limestone bedrock are often higher on the hardness scale.

Fortunately, hard water is not considered a health risk. Elements like calcium and magnesium are actually important to human health. Those that can be hazardous, like aluminum, are present at such low concentrations they don’t pose a threat. Hard water can, however, be drying to your skin and scalp when you bathe in it, and it can cause a number of problems around your home, too.

How to Tell if You Have Hard Water

While there is such a thing as a water hardness test kit—which can tell you definitively where your water sits on the hardness scale—chances are you’ll notice it in your home by one of the following telltale signs.

1. Stains on Toilets and Bathtubs

You’ll likely notice this sign first in toilets, sinks, and around bathtubs. That rusty-looking ring is likely the result of mineral buildup, and you probably already know how difficult it can be to remove hard water stains. (Insider tip: A fizzy mix of vinegar and baking soda can help.)

2. Filmy Dishes and Fading Clothes

Have you ever gone to put away a freshly cleaned load of dishes only to discover that the glasses are covered in white film or spots? Or maybe you’ve noticed your clothes are fading at a rapid pace when you wash them. Your towels might even be losing their fluffiness and absorbency. All of these problems can be a result of hard water. 

3. Lack of Lather

When you pick up your bar of soap to wash your hands or massage shampoo into your hair, you might notice you’re not getting that satisfying soapy lather you’re used to—another common indicator of hard water. In fact, hard water actually makes soap scummier and more likely to stick to shower walls, clothes, and skin, which means you need a whole lot more soap to get the job done. And that, in turn, means spending more on soap than you need to.

4. Scale Buildup in Pipes and Appliances

Perhaps the most insidious of hard water’s signs, you may notice the buildup of scale—a hard, white crust that’s difficult to remove—in your dishwasher, ice machine, coffee maker, or around pipe drains. Along with being unpleasant to look at, scale can also reduce the efficiency and longevity of your appliances, which is one of the main reasons homeowners want to soften their water.

How to Get Rid of Hard Water

So, how do you get hard water to soften up? Fortunately, water-softening systems can help. Using a process called ion exchange, water softeners remove excess mineral buildup from your water, softening it in the process.

There are several different types of water softeners on the market. However, in some areas, water softeners are banned because many of them drain a concentrated, salty wastewater product that can be difficult for water treatment plants to handle. If they’re allowed in your area, installing a water softener costs between $200 (with DIY labor) and $6,000 (with professional installation). However, a water softener will likely save you money in the long run on cleansers and appliances. 

Your local water softener installation company can help answer any questions you have and get the installation process started. They can also help you figure out how to properly size a water softener to ensure you get the right one for your household’s needs.