AOS Blog
The difference between hard and soft water
Friday 5th March 2021
We all use the terms "hard" and "soft" to describe the water that comes out of our taps, but the truth is that many of us don't actually know what that means. Plenty of people wonder what the difference is between the two is and whether or not there are any issues associated with these different types of water. The difference between the two is actually very straightforward. The hardness or softness of water is measured by the levels of certain minerals contained within it.
Hard Water
Hard water is water that contains high levels of calcium and magnesium. This might sound concerning but it isn't going to cause any real problems for your health. That said, you may notice minor things like slightly drier skin or an itchy scalp after washing your hair with hard water. You may also find that the hardness of the water can cause your clothes to wear out more quickly and leave calcium carbonate deposits on glasses and dishes after you've washed them. Water softening systems are designed to filter out these minerals.
Soft Water
Soft water is water with higher concentrations of sodium, or salt. This means that using soft water is often slightly better for your skin. Your clothes will often last longer using soft water and you won't find any mineral stains on them. You may also find that the water pressure in your home is more consistent because soft water doesn't leave mineral deposits in the pipes in the same way that hard water does.
