Uncovering the pros and cons of soft water vs. hard water

Do you have hard or soft water supplies? Chances are it’s something you’ve never given much thought about. You may not even realise you have hard water supplies. If you’ve never heard of hard water or what the difference is, we uncover the pros and cons of each.

Soft water is categorised by the lack of dissolved minerals (mainly calcium and magnesium minerals) in the water. Water that contains these dissolved minerals is known as hard water. Aside from the mineral content, there is no difference between the two and the water’s density is unaffected.
 
Other minerals can be present in hard but not soft water:

• - Aluminium
• - Barium
• - Zinc
• - Iron

These minerals are added to water through natural processes. Soft rainwater falls onto limestone rocks heavy in these minerals. As the water percolates through the rocks, the minerals dissolve into the water. This water then enters reservoirs, the main source of our water supply.
 
Around 60% of the UK’s water supply is hard. The southern regions have the highest levels, with London experiencing the hardest water. Water hardness can be determined by the extent of calcium carbonate present, and is measured by PPM (parts per million).

• - Soft – less than 17 PPM
• - Slightly hard – 17.1-60 PPM
• - Moderately hard – 60.1-120 PPM
• - Hard – 120.1-180 PPM
• - Very hard – above 180 PPM

 
These minerals are not dangerous or harmful to drink. They contribute towards our recommended daily mineral intake. For calcium, this is between 1300 mg for adults. For magnesium, this is 300mg a day for men and 270mg a day for women. There is no scientific evidence that suggests drinking hard water is harmful to our long-term health.
 
Despite this, the presence of such minerals can have a significant impact on your home, skin, and hair health. While hard water is not a direct problem, the minerals can cause many problems that can be damaging and costly.
 
The limescale deposits and build-up that occur as a result of hard water minerals can lead to problems. Water companies do not soften water due to it being an expensive and energy-intensive process on a large scale. As a result, many homes are left with a hard water supply.

Now that we’ve covered the difference between hard and soft water, it’s time to look at the pros and cons of each. Firstly, we’ll start with the pros and cons of soft water.

As soft water doesn’t have excessive quantities of calcium carbonate, there is no scaling. As such, homes with a soft water supply tend to be more energy efficient than ones with hard water. The biggest reason for this is the lack of scale build-up.
 
One of the biggest problems with hard water is how scale deposits clog the inside of appliances. This is especially the case where hard water minerals react with heat. Appliances do not suffer from scale clogging with soft water, allowing them to run more efficiently.

Another benefit of soft water is that it helps cleanse the skin more effectively. For someone used to washing with hard water, soft water can initially feel slippery. This is due to how effectively soap washes away from the skin.
 
You may mistake the slippery feeling of washing with soft water as the soap not properly washing off the skin. However, this is the opposite as it’s hard water that doesn’t properly cleanse the skin and wash away soap residue.
 
The lack of minerals in soft water means soap washes away almost instantly not leaving any residue to clog skin pores. As such, skin feels cleaner and the body’s natural oils can properly work at keeping the skin healthy and moisturised.

Despite its benefits, there are also some downsides to soft water.

Any water that has been softened using a water softener can often have a high sodium content. While we need sodium in our diets, consuming excessive quantities of sodium can have adverse health effects. This includes high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart disease.
 
For a healthy diet, it is recommended that adults consume less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day. As we usually get sufficient sodium from our diet, the sodium present in softened water can be excessive.

One of the biggest factors that makes soft and hard water distinct is the taste. It’s surprising how the addition of those extra minerals can significantly affect the taste of water. Most people think soft water tastes bland and is not as appealing as hard water.

Now that we’ve covered the pros and cons of soft water, it’s time to do the same for hard water.

As we already mentioned, the minerals present in hard water are healthy and contribute towards our recommended daily intake. There is also no conclusive evidence that suggests drinking hard water contributes to developing kidney stones.

The addition of calcium and magnesium minerals makes a significant difference in the taste of hard water. Many people prefer to taste hard water. The lack of sodium in hard water also makes it much better for cooking and drinking.

Despite the improved taste and mineral intake, hard water has significantly more downsides.

The first hard water con is mineral deposits. These occur on hard surfaces, such as sinks, toilets, and baths. Not only do they look unsightly, but they are a nightmare to clean. As such, many people have to spend time and money on trying to effectively remove such stains.

The next con of hard water is scale build-up inside pipes and appliances. When hard water is heated, the minerals react and solidify. As a result, they work less efficiently and have a much shorter life span. The same is true with piping and heating systems as water pressure decreases and heating systems require more energy to achieve the same results.

Another downside to hard water is the impact on skin and hair. We already mentioned that washing with soft water cleanses the skin. With hard water, this is not the case. Calcium carbonate is a poor reactant with the fatty acids in soap.
 
As a result, people need to use more soap to achieve a suitable lather when washing. However, this poor reaction also leaves a soap scum residue on the skin. This is a thin invisible layer that covers the skin and blocks pores. As such, the skin is unable to stay properly moisturised.
 
This leads to redness, soreness, and dry flaking skin. Those with eczema will feel the effects more due to the damage to the skin. Washing with hard water worsens eczema problems, leaving those with the condition more open to bacterial infections due to the skin cracking and breaking.
 
The same is true for your scalp. Washing with hard water can cause your scalp to become sore and itchy. This also has a knock-on effect with your hair, making it feel dry, looking dull, and frizzing. The skin, scalp, and hair feel less clean as a result of the soap scum layer.

If you experience any of the problems with hard water outlined above, chances are you want to find a suitable solution. Fortunately, help is at hand. An electronic water descaler could be the perfect solution to overcoming the problems associated with hard water.
 
This compact device connects to your main water inlet, helping to address the issues caused by hard water. It uses an antenna, which is attached to the pipe by coiling wire around it, while the device itself is mounted on a nearby wall.
 
When activated, the device generates a time-varying magnetic field that alters the structure of calcium carbonate crystals. This process prevents the minerals from forming solid deposits by keeping them suspended in the water.
 
Unlike traditional methods, like water softeners, a water descaler doesn't introduce any chemicals, alter the pH, or affect water quality. As water descalers don’t use the ion process of softeners, the water is not altered. Since no salt is used, the water remains safe for drinking and cooking,
 
It's important to note that electronic water descalers do not soften water, meaning beneficial minerals remain present. Despite this, using a water descaler offers numerous advantages beyond simply addressing hard water issues, including:

• - A low-cost solution.
• - Reduces the amount of soap or detergent required.
• - It helps reduce water and heating bills.
• - Skin and hair health improves.
• - The device is self-monitoring and indicates any fault.
• - Maintenance-free can be left after switching on.
• - Easy to install.

 
While hard and soft water each have pros and cons, the cons of hard water can have a significant impact on your home, skin health, and bills. By opting for an electronic water descaler, you still enjoy the benefits of hard water without the associated drawbacks.