How to Eliminate Hard Water

If your dishes have spots, your soap doesn't lather well and your white clothes look gray, you could have hard water'water with a high mineral-salt content. Here's what to do.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hard Water Test Kits
• Water Softening Tanks

1. Get a water test done to determine how hard your water is. Many water-softener

2. retailers will do the test for free. Or call a water-conditioning specialist in your area. These people are familiar with the quality of the water in your area and can best recommend how to treat it.

3. Ask for and review the information from the softener performance data sheet. If the water is only moderately hard, consider buying a simple water softener (low cost). If there are additional minerals and iron, consider a higher-end softener (high cost).

4. Buy or rent a water conditioner. There are systems to fit every budget, from basic units that cycle regularly to on-demand units with computer controls. Some systems require a lot of attention; you may want to have a service company perform the required maintenance.

5. Check to see if you need a filtration system in addition to a water softener. Remember that a water softener only removes hardness from your water, not toxins.

Tips & Warnings

• People who are monitoring their sodium intake may want to consult a physician before installing an ion-exchange water softener, because it will add salt to your water.

[waterstuff]

on 9/16/2009 In the tips and warnings section under the article it states that "People who are monitoring their sodium intake may want to consult a physician before installing an ion-exchange water softener, because it will add salt to your water." --- Keep in mind that professional water dealers or your plumber can usually set up your system so that the softened water can "bypass" cold water at specified water taps. ie.cold water at the kitchen sink and the cold water to your refrigerator water and ice maker.
Reverse Osmosis systems are also commonly installed for your drinking water in addition to your softener. The reverse osmosis drinking purifier can remove the salt.

[vmarge2001]

on 9/2/2009 We have hard water in our area and I don't like it. I will consider your tips.

[johnrapp]

on 9/1/2009 Kinda shoddy article, we've got hard water and I was hoping you had something cool to recommend we try to get rid of hard water. Right on, it's cool.

[Haoie]

on 9/1/2009 Glad we don't have this issue here.

[ScarlettOHairy]

on 8/22/2009 Good tips for dealing with hard water.