Hard Water vs Soft Water and How It Affects Your Shower
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Hard Water vs Soft Water and How It Affects Your Shower
Hard water and soft water are terms we have probably heard many times, but do we actually know the difference between them? There is no shame in not being an expert in water, but there are plenty of reasons why we should know the difference.
Has your hair suddenly felt different even though you have been using the same shampoo for years? Or maybe your bathroom tiles have a little less lustre than when you first bought them. If you nodded in agreement to either of these statements, it could be time to wise up on hard and soft water.
The Difference Between Hard and Soft Water
Before the water leaves your new shower head and drenches you from head to toe, it goes on a bit of a journey. It makes its way through different types of rocks, collecting dissolved minerals such as magnesium and calcium. Water is considered hard if it has a certain amount of these minerals in it and is often measured in milligrams per litre. The degree of water hardness can be broken down as:
- Slightly hard: 17-60mg
- Moderately hard: 61-120mg
- Very hard: 121mg+
In contrast, soft water has dissolved mineral levels below 17 milligrams per litre. It often tastes better as a result and is better for your hair’s health. Some water can be naturally soft in certain locations, and hard water is capable of being softened using chemicals.
Is It Just About Taste and Healthy Hair?
Although the difference in taste is a talking point of hard and soft water, intaking those minerals is actually beneficial for the body. Yet, it is not just about taste. Hard water can leave marks and residue around your home from the kitchen sink to the shower.
In the shower you can expect to see a hazy appearance on tiles and glass panels. Most of the time this is just an aesthetic issue, but it should be known that an accumulation of such residues can cause plumbing issues inside your pipes and even make cleaning your shower difficult.
Restoring your shower to the condition it once was can be extremely difficult because the dissolved minerals in hard water can counteract the chemicals within some of the best cleaning products. The best way to defend against these issues is by regularly cleaning your shower. If the aesthetics of your shower have been destroyed by hard water, it may be time for a full shower, or partial, replacement.
Get Replacement Shower Parts Here
For affordable replacement shower parts that will help you beat hard water stains, browse our collection. Our friendly team are on hand to answer your questions and give you the best advice. Get in touch today!
