It is possible to manage hard water issues on your own but the real question is how? Opportunity is around every corner one might say but at this point in our current reality, it is harder to choose than to find an option. There are so many options offered that it takes more time, and often money, to make the right decision than to act on something.
To ease this struggle, some action points to follow might be of use. Namely, first, specify what exactly is your necessity. Do you need to soften water for washing your clothes, or do you need it for washing your hair? Do you just want all the water in your house to be soft, so no matter what you use it for you will have it soft? Second, decide how much time and money you want to invest in research and how much money you want to spend? Are you aiming to improve your health, or you just want your towels to be softer?
If you start by clarifying what exactly it is that you want and expect, then you will save time and effort and make your decision more adequately. Some expensive, some cheap. Others are difficult and time-consuming but if you know what you want you can find the balance amongst them.
A variety of water softening methods is available. You can soften all the water in your house by choosing the right water softener from this top-class water softener guide and some good quality salts, also reviewed in the most suitable salts for water softeners guide, which is full of useful information that can help you.
Try The Boiling Method to Soften Water
Probably the cheapest way of softening your water is by boiling it. The effect will be different depending on the quality of water supplied to your household. Boiling will not remove all leftover mineral deposits that make the water hard. It will remove only the so-called temporary hardness, which is formed by the dissolved bicarbonate minerals.
The best you can do is try and see how it will work for you. After the water has been boiling for a few minutes it must be left to cool off. The heavier minerals should have settled at the bottom of the pot, so you can leave them behind and use the softened water. It is apparent that this method would be suitable if you need only a small quantity of water. Once you’ve boiled and softened the water it is best to keep it unexposed to the environment to avoid reaction and contamination.
Ion Exchange Filtering Can Help Softening Your Water
These filters are designed to deal not only with the temporary hardness in water but also the permanent one, which is caused by the calcium and magnesium sulfate minerals. What is meant by “exchange” is that the chloride ions are exchanged with sodium ones, which are much more soluble and do not form scale. After all, the scale is what causes trouble for pipes and damage to boilers, etc.
The ion exchange technology is a powerful one for water softening and has now been developed to serve in the household. How efficient this type of use is, one can only judge after trying and testing. Meanwhile, you are now able to purchase an ion exchange filter and install it on your tap. If you need a bigger soft water supply, you can get an ion-exchange column for the whole household.
Although this technology is widely used by industries that rely on clean water to protect their equipment, installations, and machinery an extensive debate hasn’t yet led to a scientifically solid decision on whether this process is healthy for consumption. The pickle here is that the permanent hardness is caused by the minerals in the water, which, in a perfect world, are in fact healthy for the human body. On the other hand, lacking them is bad for health.
Chelation System Is an Interesting Way to Soften Water
If you are looking for something that will not remove the minerals from the water but simply keep them from forming scale, then you can choose chelation water softening systems. Like any other system this one will take some space, so do your research and make sure you have enough to install it.
The chelation system is a salt-free system, using acid to serve as an agent to which the mineral ions adhere. It will not decrease the minerals or remove them, which is good for your health and still keep them from forming scale and causing damages to appliances.
Reverse Osmosis System is What the Pros Do to Have Softer Water
Having the reverse osmosis system gives you all you need. Not just filtered clean water and free of contaminants, but also soft. It is a system that removes any hard materials and also filters the calcium and magnesium ions that make water hard. It doesn’t work with added salt and it cleans the water using multiple fine filters.
The reverse osmosis system is available for household installation, which of course depends on the conditions in your home. You have to have in mind that this system needs good, healthy water pressure to work, so if the water pressure in your home is not that good, then you must consider another option.
You can install a reverse osmosis system under your kitchen sink but if you want clean water in your bathroom you will have to install another unit. This system is not a whole household one. This kind of water cleaning and softening method always needs to be mentioned with an emphasis on the necessity of changing the filters promptly. A dirty filter is much worse than no filter!
You may also be interested in our reviews on the best water softener resins!