Back in old days, people didn’t give much thought to their water. They collected rainwater and dug wells. After all, water is water, right? Not do much anymore. We now have soft water, hard water, ionized, filtered, bottled, and carbonated, to name a few. But do you really know the differences? Let’s start by comparing hard and soft water.

What Is Soft Water?

Soft water has been treated to minimize the amount of calcium carbonate and certain minerals and ions contained in the water, as opposed to hard water, which is high in minerals.

Rainwater is naturally soft, but as it works its way through the soil and into our waterways, it picks up minerals like chalk, lime, calcium and magnesium. Hard water is often preferred for drinking, since soft water tends to taste salty and is often not suitable for drinking. So then why do we soften our water?

Here are four benefits of soft water:

Household Appliances

By using soft water, the scale that currently exists inside your appliances and pipes and will be removed. With hard water there is a build-up of scale wherever water flows including on the surfaces of your bathtub, showers and sinks. The main benefit to you is that you will not have to replace your appliances, and pipework as often as you would if you were using hard water. Having a water softener system will prevent the build-up of scale from occurring again.

Sensitive Skin

For people with sensitive skin or for those suffering from skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, dry skin or other problems, soft water helps to improve these skin conditions.

Reduces Housework

Having a water softener is a great help in reducing the time and effort needed for housework. Soft water goes a long way in eliminating the build-up of soap scum on bathtubs, showers, sinks and toilets. Everything stays cleaner for a longer period of time. As for your kitchen, the sinks remain clean and hardly ever show water spot marks, which are common in households with hard water. Your home will be more environmentally friendly because you will be not needed to use as many harsh chemicals for cleaning, which will save you money as well.

Shaving Made Easier

Using soft water for shaving makes for a much better experience for both men and women. Your shave will go much more smoothly, your razor blades will last longer, and your skin will feel softer in the end. Overall you will have a much better appearance with a closer shave.

Today, most urban residents get their water from the city that has been treated and retreated and has more additives than you probably want to know about. But that’s a story for another time.

There are advantages and disadvantages to each type, but if you live in a rural area and/or get your water from a well, you are likely using hard water and you might want to consider getting a water softener.