Water has extensive uses in our daily lives. The absence of water can pose serious consequences. Even though it’s something you get to see daily, do you know enough about it yet?
Primarily, it’s grouped into “hard” and “soft” according to mineral contents. But this isn’t where it ends. These two types have unique differences.
There is a high chance you aren’t just seeing these classifications. Notwithstanding, you may have reasons to clarify which is good and otherwise. Or at least what purpose either serves.
Before going into their distinctions, we must see what hard and soft water are.
What is Hard Water?
Hard water has minerals like magnesium and calcium present in high quantities.
Water as a liquid is bound to flow. While it does, it collects minerals in significant amounts hence increasing its concentration.
The water hardness scale determines the extent of hardness. Often, the water of this nature ranks higher.
What is Soft Water?
Lower levels or absence of magnesium and calcium make water soft. Aside from these two minerals, it also contains sodium.
To remove minerals in hard water, use softeners. But if there are reduced levels in a geographical area, residents are most likely to be supplied with soft water.
Hard water vs. soft water: Differences
Now, you already know the two mineral contents differentiating these two. There are, however, further variations in terms of uses, significance, and sources.
- In cleaning
The effectiveness of your soap depends on the water type. Minerals in hard water make it difficult for soaps to form lather. It will take more quantity of soap while using hard water compared to soft water. Hence, soft water makes your cleaning so effortless due to the foaminess of your soap and detergent.
- Taste
Minerals are deciders of taste for water. Mind you; good water is known to be tasteless. Hard water has a characteristic flavor that can be tasteless. Conversely, soft water has a salty taste due to more expressed salt constituents.
- In plumbing works
An apartment that has a hard water supply will have deposits of minerals in its pipes. Often, this can damage the pipe system and other plumbing appliances. Examples are water heaters, taps, and showerheads. Soft water doesn’t cause this. Water filters Sydney are viable options to prevent this.
- Drinking
You shouldn’t consume hard water frequently. Even though the body needs mineral compounds, it’s only in small quantities. Soft water with considerably lower concentrations of calcium and magnesium is suitable for drinking. The two extremes of high and low are equally not beneficial to health.
- Sources
The primary source of water is either underground or rainfall. Rainwater is known to be soft, but groundwater belongs to the hard category. Prolonged exposure of the latter to the soil allows these minerals to dissolve heavily.
Water as a universal solvent means it enhances the dissolution of several substances. Some of these include salts, organic matter, and metals. However, there is a degree to which our bodies need these compounds. Also, both types have their peculiar uses.
Thomas Jackson is a dynamic and talented content writer at WonderWorldSpace.com, renowned for his engaging and informative articles. Beyond his professional pursuits in writing, Jack is also known for his deep passion for fitness, which not only shapes his lifestyle but also influences his work.