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The Effects of Soft Water
by Contributing Writer
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A sample of water is determined to be "hard" or "soft" depending on the amount of calcium carbonate in the water. The U.S. Geological Survey defines soft water as having less than 60 mg per liter of the mineral, while water with over 120 mg per liter is considered hard. Water that falls between the two is called "moderately hard." Water softener salesmen will tell us all the effects of hard water, but soft water has some effects too, and not all of them are pleasant.
Soft water looks no different from hard water.
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The Slimy Effect
Hard water doesn't mesh well with soap and detergents. The dissolved ions in the water mix with the chemicals in the soap to produce a thin layer of soap scum that can produce water spots on dishes and cars and leave you feeling scratchy and dry after a shower. However, soft water can often leave the uninitiated feeling very slimy following a shower. Because there is no soap scum left on the body, a person's natural oils will rise to the surface and create what feels like a slippery, unclean feeling to those who are used to hard water. You might be cleaner in actuality, but it takes some getting used to.
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Heart Health
Those of us with hard or moderately hard water must use a water softener if we want the benefits of soft water. However, for those looking to monitor their sodium intake, softened water can be a bad thing to drink. Water softeners work by moving the water through a filter made of resin and sodium ions. The hard ions in the water are replaced by these sodium ions, which can dramatically increase the amount of sodium in the water.
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Houseplants
Again, because of the increased sodium in softened water, it can be damaging to house plants. Over time, sodium builds up in the soil of the plants. This salt actually draws water out of the soil, which can leave the plants under-watered and not getting all the nutrients they need. The roots become damaged and the growth of the plant can be stunted by the sodium.
