How to Add Additives to Water to Soften It
Water hardness refers to the amount of minerals in the water supply. Well water is particularly susceptible to this, as magnesium and calcium are frequently present in higher levels. Water hardness contributes to a metallic taste, and mineral deposits build up in toilets and sinks over time. Water softeners are devices specifically designed to lower the mineral content in water and eliminate these problems. Adding additives to water to soften it should be a regular activity if you have hard water problems, especially if you have pet fish. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Water softening pillow
- Aquarium filter
- Driftwood
- Water softening unit
- Water softener salt
- Sal-soda
- Powdered sodium hexametaphosphate
Instructions
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Place a water softening pillow into your aquarium filter to soften water for your fish. Add driftwood into your aquarium if you need to soften the water further, but clean the driftwood thoroughly first.
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Pour a bag of water softening salt into your water softener in compliance with the directions for your particular unit. Some softeners hold several bags at a time, depending on their size. The water softener then uses the salts in the tank to absorb minerals out of the water supply and soften the water.
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Add sal-soda or a powdered sodium hexametaphosphate to your laundry to reduce minerals in the water so your clothes come out softer. Hard water stains white fabric in many cases. The powdered sodium hexametaphosphate is not environmentally friendly because of the high phosphate content but it effectively reduces the amount of magnesium and calcium in the washing machine during a load. Follow all package instructions to ensure you add the appropriate amount for your machine.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid using softened water in your plants because the higher sodium levels could damage them.
