What is Soft Water and Why Does it Matter?

Whether you have just moved to Florida or have lived here for a while, the chances are good that you have heard a lot of talk about water softening and why it’s important. However, at Guardian Water Services we have found that often people talk about soft water without really understanding what it is.

Since we think it’s important for our clients to understand what they’ll be getting if they order a water softening system from us, we want to take some time to explain things. What is soft water and why does it matter?

What is Soft Water?

To understand what soft water is, it may help to start with an explanation of what hard water is.

Simply put, hard water is water that contains a high mineral content, most especially the so-called “hard” minerals like calcium, iron, and magnesium. 

These minerals are considered hard because they can build up inside your pipes and appliances. They also affect the feel of your water and its effectiveness when you clean. For example, people whose homes have hard water often have to use far more soap and cleaning products than people whose homes have soft water. 

As you might expect, then, soft water is water that either has a naturally low concentration of hard minerals, or else water that has been softened by the removal of those minerals.

It is important to distinguish between water that has been softened and water that has been purified. Many home water treatment systems do one and not the other. 

The Guardian Water Services water refiner is an exception. It uses four separate filtration methods to make your water soft, pure, and safe for your family to drink.

Why Soft Water Matters

Now, let’s talk about why soft water matters. This is an important topic for all Florida residents.

Let’s start with the health of your skin and hair. Due to its high mineral content, hard water leaves a residue on everything it touches. That includes your skin and hair. In fact, people who regularly bathe in hard water often have dull hair and dry skin. 

By contrast, soft water rinses clean and leaves your skin and hair feeling soft and healthy. If your water is very hard, the difference can be a profound one.

Hard water leaves a residue on your dishes and clothes, too. The mineral deposits can leave spots on your dishes and stains on your laundry. Hard water also makes soap less effective, so that means that if you have hard water, you will probably end up spending more than necessary on detergent and soap. 

Finally, hard water can leave mineral deposits inside your appliances that use water, including your dishwasher and your washing machine. Over time, those deposits can shorten the life of these appliances. That can be both costly and frustrating. 

In short, soft water matters because it:

• Improves the health and appearance of your skin and hair
• Makes it possible to get clothing and dishes clean and eliminates the risk of staining them
• Reduces the amount of soap and detergent you need to buy
• Prolongs the life of your major appliances that use water

As a homeowner, the most important thing to keep in mind is that soft water saves you money in the long run. That’s money that you can use for home improvements, family vacations, or your kids’ education.

Soft water is important for you and your family in a variety of ways. Since water in Florida tends to be hard, it’s important to take action to soften your water. 

The first step is scheduling a free water quality test. Please click here to schedule yours today!