Q&A for How to Soften Hard Water

Usually, vinegar will be all that you need to remove hard water build up. Dilute it in a spray bottle and rub off the build up with a paper towel or cloth. For more difficult stains you can let the vinegar sit on the area for 5-10 minutes before wiping it off.

It's perfectly safe to drink hard water, it just becomes a problem because it can cause build up on faucets or shower heads and cause soap or detergents to work less effectively.

The chemical will vary depending on the process (and some processes do not use chemicals at all) but it could be lime, salt or lye, among others.

Ion exchange softening is the only proven, commonly available technology for household use. Devices that claim to use magnets, catalysts, or other methods are usually scams.

Fabric softener only affects your clothes, not your water. You’ll need a non-precipitating water conditioner.

With vinegar and baking soda. Wash your plates with it as well.

Water softeners only remove the minerals that interfere with soap and cause scaling. If you have lead pipes or sediment in the water, you’ll need a filter as well.

Yes, though it might not solve the problem completely. If your water is hard, increase the water temperature and use more detergent than usual.

It's actually beneficial. The salt will soften the hard plaque that covers the inside of your pipes and allow it to flush out little by little.

A carbon filter can remove unpleasant odors by removing chemicals in the water.

The World Health Organization found no significant health differences between hard and soft water. People with kidney disease should avoid water that’s gone through a softening process.

No. The iron exists in water as compounds. Iron compounds are not magnetic.

It's the result of naturally occurring minerals in the water that make it hard water.

Yes, spring water was widely used before the prevalence of household plumbing. It will help clean your hair, especially if combined with a commercial shampoo or soap. If using one of these, be careful of pollution near the natural spring.

Yes - the minerals in it leave behind a residue when you shower, which can clog pores and irritate skin. Hard water fundamentally results in lower skin quality, builds up dandruff and further leads to hair loss.

Try the boiling water trick to see if your water has temporary hardness. If it does, do that instead to soften. If not, then no, letting water stand will not soften it; the minerals will not evaporate or leave the water on their own.

Actually it could worsen it. Hard water is a water with high amounts of Ca and Mg salts; Epsom is an Mg salt itself, so adding more salt to hard water will not help.

Mix up some OxiClean (or other similar type product) with water and spread it in a paste on the stain. Make sure that there is enough water to activate the powder. Leave it for up to half an hour and the stains should wipe clean easily!

I buy distilled water in gallon jugs. It prevents getting equipment "limed up" by hard water.

Mix: 1/2 Oz apple cider vinegar to ~ a cup (8 Oz) water. Wash hair with shampoo and rinse. Use cream rinse and rinse. Wring out hair. Close your eyes and pour the apple cider vinegar and water mixture over hair. Leave on for one minute. Rinse hair and face. Dry hair as usual. Do this every other shampoo to keep your hair healthy and shiny.

Yes, but if you have high blood pressure, use a water purifier to avoid excess sodium intake.