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Feature Articles-Better Buying What is hard water and why do we care?
When water is “hard” this simply means that it contains more minerals than ordinary water. Those minerals are usually calcium and magnesium. Hard water interferes with almost every cleaning task, from laundering and dishwashing to bathing and personal grooming. Clothes laundered in hard water may look dingy and feel harsh and scratchy. Dishes and glasses may be spotted with dry. Hard water may cause a film on glass shower doors, shower walls, sinks, etc. Hair washed in hard water may feel sticky and dull. This is caused by the fact that soap doesn’t really dissolve in hard water. Hard water is not a health hazard. Some research has sown that drinking hard water contributes a small or large toward total dietary needs. How do you know if your water is hard? You can get a water test done to determine how hard your water is. Many water softener companies will do the test for free. Be sure that you understand what they are measuring and what the results mean. If you are on a municipal water system, the water supplier can tell you the hardness level of the water they deliver. Water testing laboratories will test the water for a fee. Water hardness testing kits, which will give you an estimate of your water hardness, are available for purchase through water testing supply companies. How do you control water hardness? Packaged water softeners are chemicals that help control water hardness. They are either precipitating or non-precipitating. Precipitating water softeners include washing soda and borax. These products combine with the minerals and create an insoluble precipitate that cannot interfere with the cleaning process. However, the precipitate makes the water cloudy and can build up on surfaces. Non-precipitating water softeners used complex phosphates to isolate calcium and magnesium. If used in enough quantity, they will help dissolve soap curd for a period of time. The best way to soften water is to use a water softener unit and connect it directly to the water supply. . The water passes through beads supersaturated with sodium. The hardness minerals attached themselves to the beads and sodium on the beads is released into the water. A good water softener should last for years and require little maintenance other than filling them with salt periodically. Some, however, do require upkeep. Investigate several companies and types before investing in a water softener. People on a low- sodium diet are advised to consult with their physician before installing this type of unit. Softened water is not recommended for watering plants, lawns, and gardens because of the salt content. Sources: |
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