According to the USGS, about 85% of the country has hard water. Find out what hard water is, what makes soft water different and how to soften water.

1. Hard Water vs.
Soft Water
What hard water is,
what makes soft
water different and
how to soften water

2. What is Hard Water?
o Hard water is water that contains a significant amount of calcium
and magnesium
o The term comes from the fact that it does not mix well with soap,
making it “hard” to wash anything
o Hard water is measured in grains per gallon (gpg)
o A gpg is defined as 1 grain (64.8 mg) of calcium carbonate
dissolved in 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water. This is equal to about 17.1
mg/L or parts per million (ppm)
o 1-3.5 gpg is slightly hard, 3.5-7 is moderately hard, 7-10.5 is hard.
Anything above 10.5 gpg is considered very hard

3. Effects of Hard Water
o When combined with soap, a scum is formed instead of a lather, so
you have to use extra soap, shampoo, detergent and other cleaning
supplies
o The soap scum also doesn’t rinse off well, so it sticks to your hair
and skin when you bathe. This results in dry, itchy skin and
unhealthy, drab hair
o The soap scum also gets stuck between the fibers of clothes
washed in hard water, making them wear out more quickly
o Hard water also leaves spots on every surface it touches

4. Effects of Hard Water
o Your plumbing and appliances are affected as well
o When heated, the minerals in hard water stick to the inside of pipes,
fixtures and tubing
o Over time, this “scale” builds up and causes a variety of issues that
lead to more frequent repairs and replacements
o Water heaters with scale buildup require more energy to heat the
water

5. Hard vs. Soft Water
o Soft water is water that has less than 1 gpg of hardness
o When water falls from the sky, it contains no minerals; it picks up
these minerals as it travels through the earth
o Areas where chalk, limestone and marble are abundant tend to
have the hardest water
o Soft water easily forms a lather with soap. With soft water, you can
use up to 50% less soap compared to washing with hard water
o Soap rinses away easily, leaving you with smooth skin and healthier
hair
o Hard water strips away natural oils, but soft water doesn’t. This
means you need less lotion and conditioner

6. Hard vs. Soft Water
o Independent studies have shown that you can use 50% less
detergent in washing machines and save energy by washing clothes
in cold water while still getting the same, or better, cleanliness
o A study also showed that you can use half the detergent in
dishwashers and get the same cleaning results
o With soft water, appliances and fixtures maintain their efficiency and
flow rate much longer
o Pipes without scale buildup last longer as well, reducing costly
replacements
o Hard water affects water heaters especially negatively. According to
one study, some tankless water heaters using hard water only
lasted a little over a year and a half

7. How to Soften Water
o The only way to soften water is by using a salt-based water softener
which contains ion exchange resin
o The resin is made up of tiny plastic beads that have a negative
charge
o Sodium or potassium ions bind to the resin because they have a
positive charge
o When hard water flows through the resin tank, the calcium and
magnesium ions switch places with the sodium or potassium ions
because they have a stronger positive charge
o Since there are no more hardness minerals in the water, and it now
contains less than 1 gpg, it is considered soft
o After a while, the resin becomes full of calcium and magnesium and
needs to be regenerated
o Depending on the softener you choose, different control valves have
different ways of telling the system when to regenerate

8. Want to Learn More About Water Treatment?
Check out our other SlideShare posts or contact us. If you’re ready to
experience the benefits of soft water throughout your home, contact us
to schedule a free consultation.
o Visit www.TryPuronics.com
o Call 844-787-6642
o Email info@puronics.com
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