Difference between Hard Water and Soft WaterYou may have heard the terms hard water and soft water, but do you know what they mean? What type of water do you have in your home? Which one is better than another? Let us see how hard water differs from soft water! Hard Water:Hard water is the water that contains high concentrations of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium. As the rainwater seeps through soil or rocks made up of compounds such as calcium or magnesium it picks up minerals from the soil and rocks. For example, when rainwater falls on limestone rocks which contain calcium carbonate (CaCO3) the water seeps through the limestone layers and the minerals are dissolved in the rainwater. After the water soaks up minerals it is said to be the hard water as it contains high concentration of calcium and magnesium ions. Thus, water passes through soft rocks and gathers minerals before reaching the water pipes for supply. Hard water is not necessarily unsafe to drink. It may provide moderate health benefits as it contains essential minerals that are good for health and has a natural water flavour Hard water features:
Soft Water:Soft water is water that contains low concentration of ions like calcium and magnesium except sodium ions. Rainwater is the natural soft water. It remains soft water when it travels through hard rock like granite as it gathers only small amounts of minerals. This water is good for skin, washing clothes, dishes etc. Most of the surface water such as water in the lakes, rivers and collected rainwater is soft water. Soft water features:
Based on the above information, some of the key differences between hard water and soft water are as follows:
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