How to Tell If You Have Hard Water (& What to Do About It)

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Learn how to soften water to put an end to pesky water stains
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Water softness/hardness refers to the mineral content of a given water supply. If water is hard, it means that there’s a larger amount of magnesium, calcium, lime, sulphates, iron, and/or potassium in the water. Hard water isn’t dangerous, and the main impacts are cleaning-related. Still, if you’re curious about whether or not you have hard water, we’ll walk you through some signs to look out for . To help, we even sat down with professional cleaning service owner Andrii Gurskyi to learn more about what hard water does and how you can get rid of it with ease.

How to Find Out if You Have Hard Water

Look for soap scum and orange bacteria stains in your showers and sinks. You may also notice calcium and lime deposits on your faucets or tile surfaces. If you think you have hard water, buy a water testing kit to figure out for sure. You can then install a water softening system in your home to address the problem.

Section 1 of 5:

What is hard water?

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  1. Gurskyi explains that hard water usually contains a higher level of magnesium and calcium than normal, although hard water may also have excess iron, sulphates, or potassium. These minerals enter the water supply as the water passes through limestone, chalk, or gypsum deposits in the pipes or water source. Hard water is measured in milligrams per liter (mg/L). Here are the United States Geological Survey’s metrics for water hardness: [1]
    Water Hardness Level Amount of Minerals
    Soft 0-60 mg/L
    Moderately Hard 61-120 mg/L
    Hard 121-180 mg/L
    Very Hard 180+ mg/L
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Section 2 of 5:

Signs of Hard Water

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  1. 1
    Soap scum forms in your shower. Gurskyi explains that if you have hard water, you’re going to end up spending more time cleaning your bathroom than you normally would. The minerals in hard water react with most brands of soap to leave a weird, sleek residue on tiles and tubs.
    • If you have hard water, you’ll likely spend more time cleaning your shower than you normally would.
  2. 2
    There's a strange residue on your hands after washing them. If you have hard water, lathering your hands with soap and washing the soap off might feel kind of odd and slick. It’s the reaction of the soap and the minerals that leaves your hands feeling kind of slippery. [2]
    • The icky soap scum may also leave residue on your skin after showering or washing your hands if the water is really hard.
  3. 3
    Your shower and sink develop an orange-looking residue. Gurskyi says that one of ”the most common problems with hard water is that it causes orange stains all over the bathroom.” This happens because it’s a lot easier for harmless airborne bacteria to grow on moist surfaces if there is an abundance of minerals to help them thrive. [3]
  4. 4
    Your skin feels a little dry and itchy after showering. The minerals in hard water can potentially irritate your skin and dry it out. If you find that your showers aren’t as satisfying as they used to be, leaving your skin feeling itchy and uncomfortable, you may have hard water. [4]
    • Most people won’t notice a huge impact, but if you’re prone to skin issues like eczema, hard water is more likely to irritate you. [5]
  5. 5
    Your hair feels heavier and drier than normal. The magnesium and calcium in hard water can strip moisture from your hair. This may make it feel brittle and dry. It’s also harder to wash things like dirt, oil, and product build-up out of your hair when you have hard water, so your hair may feel slightly heavier than normal. [6]
    • As is the case with skin reactions, the effects can be pretty subtle, so many people won’t notice any impact on their hair. It depends on your hair’s natural texture, health, and volume.
  6. The dishwasher doesn’t normally get rid of hard water mineral deposits entirely. If you do your dishes and you notice that there are visible spots, it’s a major sign that you have hard water. [7]
    • The spots may differ from water source to water source, but they’re typically a dull white color with a chalky texture.
    • It’s safe to eat or drink out of plates and glasses that have hard water marks, so you don’t have to worry about that, but it can be frustrating if you want completely clean, shiny-looking dishware
  7. Your washing machine uses the same water as the rest of your home, so the excess minerals in the water are running through your clothes when you do laundry. Hard water won’t harm your clothing, but it can make your clothes feel kind of stiff, starchy, and uncomfortable. [8]
    • Using too much detergent can also make your clothes feel kind of stiff, so this isn’t necessarily the best sign of hard water on its own. [9]
  8. 8
    Your utility bills are a little high. The minerals in hard water can build up in your pipes and appliances over time, which means your appliances will have to work harder than they otherwise would, which consumes more power. You’ll also have to use more water than you normally do when cleaning, since the minerals are tougher to scrub away. [10]
    • Your hot water heater will also be much less efficient if it’s running on hard water.
    • Your appliances are also more likely to fail much earlier than they normally would if you have hard water, so fixing the problem can save you a lot of money and frustration down the line!
  9. 9
    You're having plumbing problems due to mineral buildup in your pipes. Over time, hard water mineral deposits can cause maintenance issues. The deposits can help rust spread, and the minerals can cause pipe connections to weaken over time. [11]
  10. 10
    Your drinking water tastes slightly chalky. This is probably the least consistent sign since people’s tastes and flavor sensitivities are different, and the purification chemicals in water are more likely to impact taste than minerals. Regardless, hard water does seem to have a chalkier mouthfeel according to some people. [12]
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Section 3 of 5:

Testing for Hard Water

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  1. Get a clean and clear bottle with a cap. Fill â…“ of the bottle with water. Add 2 drops of dish soap and close the bottle. Then, shake the bottle vigorously. Put the bottle down and inspect the water. [13]
    • If fluffy bubbles appear at the top of the water then you do not have hard water.
    • If there are very few bubbles and the water is cloudy then you have hard water.
  2. 2
    Inspect your faucets and water fixtures for chalky deposits. Hard water will often cause something called limescale to appear. Look carefully at the faucets on your sink and the fixtures. Do you see little deposits of white, chalky material? If so, you have hard water. [14]
  3. Your water provider (usually the city you live in) monitors the minerals and chemicals in the water supply they use. If you call them and ask for a water analysis report, they’re very likely to email you a copy that breaks down all of the stuff in your water. [15]
    • If they send you a super long document, use the search function (control + f) and search for “magnesium,” “calcium,” and “sulphates.” Those are the main components that contribute to hard water.
  4. 4
    Look up whether hard water is common where you live. About half of the geographic United States has extremely hard water naturally. Pull up any hard water map (the USGS has a good one here ) and find where you live. Then, use the key from the map to determine how hard your local water supply is.
    • The odds are very high you have at least moderately hard water. About 85% of the water supplies in the US are at least moderately hard, so it’s pretty likely you’ve got hard water. [16]
  5. Pick up any water hardness testing kit and follow the instructions that come with the kit to test your water. Typically, you just put a test strip in the water and wait for it to change colors. The color of the strip will tell you just how hard your water is. [17]
    • Do not accidentally buy a pH testing kit (they look extremely similar). Hard water has nothing to do with pH levels in your water, so a pH testing kit won’t help you in this situation
  6. 6
    Hire a company to measure your water’s minerals. If you want the most accurate measurement possible for your specific home’s water hardness, hire an environmental consulting firm that can analyze your water. They’ll give you a detailed report explaining the hardness level where you live. [18]
    • Gurskyi says that you can also ask a plumber to test the water if you can’t find anyone who specializes in water testing near you.
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Section 4 of 5:

Is hard water bad for you?

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  1. No, hard water is actually good for you. Water hardness is not a public health concern. [19] In fact, the excess calcium and magnesium in hard water make the tap water healthier to drink, since humans typically don’t get enough of these minerals anyway. [20] Some studies even suggest that people who drink and shower with hard water are less likely to develop cardiovascular issues later in life. [21]
    • There is some minor evidence that hard water can make eczema worse for very young children, but it’s not definitive. [22]
    • While hard water is good for you, it’s not so important to have it that you should feel like you’re missing out on something if you get rid of the hard water. It’s reasonable to want softer water, given how annoying hard water can be when it comes to cleaning.
    • Hard water may be an issue if you use a groundwater system, since it may indicate there’s an issue with the source of your well water. [23]
Section 5 of 5:

Fixing Hard Water

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  1. The only way to fix a hard water problem permanently is to install a whole-home water softening system . You can either hire a plumbing or HVAC company to install the softener, or give it a shot and try installing a softener yourself. This will 100% fix your hard water woes.
  2. 2
    Install a water filter to remove minerals at the faucet. If you’re only worried about hard water at one faucet or sink, install a purifying water filter . These filters will remove the excess minerals and leave you with clean, soft water. [24]
    • A water filter won’t remove all of the minerals in your water, but it should soften it considerably.
  3. 3
    Boil water to remove some minerals from a small amount of water. Boiling water won’t remove all of the minerals, but it should help soften the water a fair bit. Just bring the water to a rolling boil and let it boil for a few minutes. Then, turn the heat off and let it cool naturally. Voila! Softer water. [25]
  4. 4
    Use vinegar or lime removal spray to get rid of hard water stains. Any kind of commercial limescale cleaner will successfully remove hard water marks. You can also dip a cloth in distilled white vinegar to wipe down dishes, sinks, or surfaces and remove the residue.
  5. 5
    Ignore the problem if it doesn’t bother you. As mentioned previously, hard water really isn’t a serious cause for concern. If you aren’t bothered by the minerals in the water and the hard water itself isn’t causing you any problems, it’s totally okay to just leave it be. [26]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What chemical can be used to test total hardness in place of EDTA ?
    Anthony "TC" Williams
    Experienced Landscaper
    Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas.
    Anthony "TC" Williams
    Experienced Landscaper
    Expert Answer
    In the absence of EDTA, denatured alcohol can be used to test the total hardness of water.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 25
  • Question
    My tub faucet and handles have a white film on them. Is this hard water buildup?
    Anthony "TC" Williams
    Experienced Landscaper
    Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas.
    Anthony "TC" Williams
    Experienced Landscaper
    Expert Answer
    White film on your tub's faucet and handles most likely points to hard water buildup, but don't rule out soap residue as being a factor.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    Will hard water make skin break out?
    Community Answer
    Showering in hard water can clog the pores and irritate the skin, which could certainly cause breakouts.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/hardness-water
      2. ↑ https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/why-does-it-take-so-long-rinse-soap-my-hands-what-are-hard-water-and-soft-water
      3. ↑ https://www.4abc.com/blog/what-causes-pink-stains-on-toilets-and-bathtubs/
      4. ↑ https://nationaleczema.org/blog/hard-water-eczema/
      5. ↑ https://nationaleczema.org/blog/hard-water-eczema/
      6. ↑ https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/hardness-water
      7. ↑ https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/hardness-water
      8. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/laundry-linens/tips-checklists/hard-water-laundry/
      9. ↑ https://www.bhg.com.au/lifestyle/cleaning/why-clothes-feel-crunchy/
      1. ↑ https://homewater101.com/articles/hows-whys-home-water-softening
      2. ↑ https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/hardness-water
      3. ↑ https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-22247668
      4. ↑ https://www.water-right.com/homeowner-resources/diy-test-hard-water/
      5. ↑ https://nuvoh2o.com/blog/understanding-the-difference-between-lime-scale-and-corrosion-in-hard-water/
      6. ↑ https://extension.psu.edu/how-to-interpret-a-water-analysis-report
      7. ↑ https://www.gq.com/story/hard-water-hair-skin
      8. ↑ https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2019-08/documents/mb-30-02.pdf
      9. ↑ https://www.abc4.com/gtu/gtu-sponsor/is-hard-water-destroying-your-home-this-utah-company-will-test-it-for-free/
      10. ↑ https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/hardness-water
      11. ↑ https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/health-you-asked/you-asked-hard-water-dangerous-drink
      12. ↑ https://journals.lww.com/epidem/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=1999&issue=01000&article=00007&type=abstract
      13. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27241890/
      14. ↑ https://wellowner.org/resources/water-quality/groundwater-quality-basics/
      15. ↑ https://www.raynewater.com/blog/5-benefits-of-filtering-hard-water/
      16. ↑ https://www.aquasana.com/info/boiled-water-vs-filtered-water-pd.html
      17. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3775162/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To determine if you have hard water, start by checking your sink and bathtub for white residue and looking for white spots on your glassware, since these are all indications of hard water. You may also have hard water if your clothes are stiff and rough, or in more severe cases, have a sour odor after you wash them. Additionally, look for signs of hard water after showering, such as skin irritation, stiff and dull hair, or a filmy soap residue on your skin. To learn more, like how to determine if you have hard water using a test strip, keep reading!

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