We all know that a molecule of water is made from two molecules of hydrogen and one molecule of oxygen. The problem is that no two sources of water are the same. Even “pure” water can contain impurities that greatly influence its ability to dissolve substances, such as cleaning liquids. You may have heard of the words “hard” and “soft” used to describe water, but what exactly is “hard water” and “soft water?”

Hard Water

Hard water is a kind of water that is rich in minerals. If your community sources water from an underground aquifer or the water table, chances are that you may have hard water coming from your tap. Hard water has concentrations of calcium and magnesium dissolved in the water, and does not dissolve chemicals very well. Hard water is not harmful, and is used by about 90% of the households in the United States.

Soft Water

Unlike hard water, soft water contains little to no traces of minerals. While soft water is not necessarily more pure than hard water, it does make its way through pipes and the community water system faster than hard water. Not too many places in the United States contain a supply of soft water, although most communities add water-softening agents to water reservoirs that pump water to homes.

How to Test for Hard Water

If you’re not sure as to what kind of water is supplied to your home, here are some ways you can test for hard water:

• Soap, toothpaste, and other liquids do not make a good lather in hard water.

• When water is boiled and allowed to cool, hard water leaves white, chalky deposits at the bottom of the kettle.

• Hard water typically has a sharper, almost stony taste compared to soft water.

• Hard water forms soap scum.

• Tips on how to get rid of hard water

Now that you know the different kinds of water available for you to use in your home with, you may want to ask your community leaders or your Mayor to make the switch from hard to soft water.