How To Filter Hard Water?
Many of you might be facing the same hard water issues as us. Hard water is not at all potable because it has a high mineral content which can lead to serious health hazards including stone formation in kidneys. Moreover, hard water can’t be used for doing laundry or any chores because the magnesium and calcium bicarbonates in the hard water react with the soap and do not form lather and make it harder for you to remove dirt particles from the clothes. Moreover, a soap scum is formed which wastes the soap.
Additionally, hard water can clog drains and block hot-water pipes as a result of the formation of precipitate layers inside them. Moreover, hard water can waste resources such as fuel and soap. Therefore, it will be better if you turn it into soft water before use.
In this article, we will guide you on how to filter hard water with easy methods at home so that you can have a healthy life and simple work. Moreover, this article also includes some general information regarding hard water.
How to Filter Hard Water?
First of All, What Is Hard Water?
Hard water may look like normal water but it contains more amounts of minerals as compared to normal water which needs to filter out using different methods we would discuss further in this article.
There are two types of hardness, namely: temporary hardness and permanent hardness
Temporary Hardness
Temporary hardness in water means the water contains a high quantity of bicarbonates of magnesium and calcium, which makes it harder to use for normal usage. It can be removed easily by simple procedures.
Permanent Hardness
Permanent hardness in water means the water contains high quantities of calcium sulfates and magnesium sulfates, which do not form a precipitate even after boiling. It requires complex procedures as compared to permanent hardness.
How to Find the Hardness of Water?
It is important to know if your tap water is hard or not so that you can decide the right way to treat it. You can easily know if the water is hard if the soap does not form a lather, there is a residue on your taps and shower or if you have dry skin.
Moreover, you can also buy a hard water testing kit from your nearby store to know the level of hardness of the water. They come with strips that change color as per the hardness levels of water, you simply have to match the color with the given color chart.
Here are some of the methods you can try out at home to filter out hard water
Boiling the Water
Boiling the water can only remove the temporary hardness. If your tap water has bicarbonate minerals, then they would form carbonates by reacting with the heat and will give you soft and potable water after cooling. There will be a precipitate lying at the bottom of the boiling vessel which forms when the bicarbonates react with heat. Boil the water in a metal container until it reaches its boiling point and let it cool for some time.
Add Washing Soda
You can use washing soda while doing laundry. Simply add some washing soda to the water so that it reacts with the bicarbonates and sulfates of calcium and magnesium and forms a precipitate that gets settled at the bottom. You can filter it out if you want. This method works for temporary as well as permanent hardness.
Use a Water Softener
Water softeners are similar to water filters however, they remove the excess amount of minerals by a process called ion exchange. That means the magnesium and calcium ions are exchanged with sodium or potassium ions, which makes the water softer. It can remove permanent hardness easily. You can use this water for drinking purposes after purifying it.
Water softeners come in a wide range of variety and prices too. The price range varies from $300-$4000 as per the quality and features. You can also buy a combo pack of water softeners and a reverse osmosis water filter to purify the water because water softeners do not remove other harmful contaminants. Moreover, they also add sodium and potassium ions. You can also buy a saltless water softener. Check out our article on the top 10 best fluoride water filters of 2022.
Basically, there are 3 types of water softeners, namely: potassium chloride water softeners, sodium chloride water softeners, and saltless water softeners.
FAQs
Can Boiling Remove the Permanent Hardness of Water?
No, boiling can remove only temporary hardness because the sulfates do not react with heat like bicarbonates which precipitate at the bottom. You can check other methods in this article for treating permanent hardness.
Is Hard Water Bad for Your Skin?
Yes, hard water can affect your skin severely. It can cause irritation and dryness because of its mineral content. Moreover, you may experience hair fall too.
Do Water Filters Remove Hardness?
No, a water filter can only purify your water by removing the contaminants. You will require a water softener for removing the hardness. Moreover, you can use a water filter for the purification process.
How to Remove the Hard Water Patches on Household Items?
You can use vinegar mixed with water for removing those dark patches on your kitchen sink and clothes. Moreover, for the hard water residue simply apply some vinegar on the taps and showerheads.
Conclusion
Investing in your health is as important as having any other expensive things. Because you can lead a healthy and happy life. Drinking hard water has various health hazards. Moreover, it can lead to kidney failure too. Therefore, do invest in water softeners or any other methods to remove the water hardness. The soft water has high sodium or potassium content so you will require a water filter for filtering those salts out. Check out our articles- top 10 best water filter pitchers of 2022 and top 10 best fluoride water filters of 2022 for a detailed and genuine review of the best products.
