Water that contains dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium above certain levels is considered hard water.


Usually, ground water, such as that from wells, tends to be high in minerals. One clear sign is if you tend to have deposits left in sinks and tubs after usage, then you are more than likely to have hard water. To be sure, you may want to have your water tested for hardness by your city or state health department, a private testing lab or a water conditioning company.



Hard water keeps soap from working as it should. Soaps tend to not lather as it should, work as it should or rinse off as it should in hard water. Therefore bathing, washing dishes, laundering, shaving, etc., in hard water is not as efficient. It often leaves soap scums that can’t be rinsed off, forming bathtub ring, and invisible film of dingy build up on clothes, dishes, skin and hair. Clothes washed in hard water tend to look dull, grayed or yellowed. Repeated washing of clothes in hard water causes them to stiffen, fibers may deteriorate and your garments may wear out faster. Over time, the soap scum left on your clothes, dishes and skin may cause skin irritation, chapping, itching, dryness and can serve as a home for bacteria.



If the problem is severe (the person who tests your house for water hardness can tell you this) you may have to invest in a water softener. For a minor problem with hard water, you may decide to live with what you have. In either case, when washing your clothes, you may want to try using RainDrops® Water Softener along with your laundry detergent. RainDrops is designed to soften the water and give a boost to your laundry detergent, for cleaner, brighter, whiter, and fresher clothes.

 
Click here to learn more about RainDrops.

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