Introduction
Your house could have hard water if you notice that your faucets have a white, chalky deposit or that your dishware occasionally acquires stains. Calcium or magnesium minerals, which are frequently present in large concentrations in hard water, can give it an odd flavor or odor. There are a few various methods you may use that don’t include harsh chemicals to naturally soften the water in your house.
Here are eight all-natural methods for softening hard water.
Install a shower head filter that uses ion exchange.
Your water will no longer include lead and chlorine.Shower filters are carefully made to function with high temperatures and flow rates, and they are efficient at eliminating foul odours as well. Shower head filters are available online, in home improvement shops, and at hardware stores.
- Try testing your water using water hardness testing strips to find out exactly what minerals it contains. Testing strips are available at your neighborhood hardware shop.
Install a water softener with ion exchange for the entire system.
These softeners are often fitted by a specialist.To remove the impurities, resin is passed through the water entering your house. Buy these softeners from hardware stores and home improvement stores, then hire a pro to install them in your house.
- Medium to very hard water is best suited for home ion exchangers. They are among the most popular options for enhancing domestic water quality.
- To identify the types of minerals in your water, you might want to do a hard water test first. Some softening techniques could be more effective than others at eliminating specific pollutants.
- Model and location will affect prices, but these softeners typically cost between $500 and $1,500.
Burn off contaminants.
Calcium is removed from hard water by boiling.Place a clean kettle or pot on a hot stove flame after filling it with water. After a few minutes of letting the water boil, turn off the heat. After allowing the water to cool, scoop the sediment with a spoon and move it to a fresh container.
- Most likely, the sediment will be white and chalky. That is calcium evaporating from the water.
- Only the calcium is removed by boiling away the contaminants in hard water. However, calcium is typically what contributes to the disagreeable taste and odor, thus it may significantly enhance your water.
Add baking soda to the water you use to cook.
When prepared with hard water, several meals turn tough and rubbery. While baking soda can’t entirely soften water, it can help to change the pH to a more natural condition.To improve the flavor and texture of dry beans and peas, fill a saucepan with water and add 1 tsp (5.6 g) of baking soda.
- To make the water feel softer on your skin, you can also take a bath with baking soda water. Add 1/4 cup (32 g) of baking soda to your bath before taking a soak. When you’re through, wash your body with soap to remove any leftovers.
Your laundry should contain washing soda.
You may temporarily soften your water by adding washing soda or sodium carbonate.Before starting the washer when you put a load of laundry in it, sprinkle washing soda over the garments. Cleaning soda can result in cleaner clothing by helping to loosen dirt and grime from fabric.
- The calcium and magnesium ions in hard water react with the carbonate ions from washing soda. The calcium and magnesium gradually dissolve as a result of the process, making the water softer.
- Use washing soda just in your laundry; do not use it elsewhere. Long-term usage of washing soda can cause a buildup of limescale that can choke small pipes.
In aquariums, use a reverse osmosis filter.
Your water will be cleaned and distilled, resulting in happier, healthier fish.Make sure your reverse osmosis filter is connected in and installed on the rear of your fish tank. Only the softened water will remain in your tank once the filter has removed all contaminants.
- The average price of an aquarium-sized reverse osmosis filter is $60.
- Reverse osmosis filters are available, however they typically cost approximately $1,500 and may be installed on your home’s water supply.
Aquarium driftwood is a good addition.
Tannins released by driftwood naturally soften water.Grab a piece of driftwood from a local beach, then boil it for five minutes in water. Place the log in your fish tank once it has cooled to gradually soften the water naturally.
- This may be used to adorn your tank as well.
Fill an aquarium with peat moss.
Hard water is naturally filtered and purified by peat moss.Put some peat moss you buy from an aquarium supply store at the bottom of your tank. The tannins and humic acid in the moss will soften and filter the water over time.
- Your water may appear somewhat yellow-green due to peat moss, but it doesn’t imply it is unclean.
