Water is water, what’s the difference?

The distinction is in terms of quality. Not all water is equal. It is differentiated into two categories i.e. hard and soft water depending on the mineral content. According to The US Geological Survey report, more than 80% of American homes use hard water. While many houses and offices have a water softener installed to combat hard water issues. Thinking to buy one? Look out for genuine water softeners’ reviews to acquire the best system for your home.

Still, the misconceptions about hard vs. soft water cannot be denied. Some people think hard water is a health hazard and the others converse about soft water unfavorable impact. But the reality is, it totally depends on the situation and personal inclinations. Even misinformation and strong opinions lay equivalent brunt. Let’s busts these myths and know which water is better for your health.

Hard Water vs. Soft Water: Which causes Health Hazard?

The WHO and NIH recently gathered a team of famous scientist and researchers to test hard water in every possible way. There were many complaints that hard water causes cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, reproductive failure, cancer, etc. which were accrued in their reports.

The scientists found there is no direct correlation of hard water consequences on diseases also hard water does not have any adverse health effects. It is proved that hard water do not damage your health instead it fulfills essential minerals daily requirement. However, if you have any disease that is unfavorable it may increase. For example: if you have digestion and intestinal issues excess magnesium may not flush from the body which may cause diarrhea.

Similarly, people think that soft water cleanses the body. It is true that soft water is really a good household cleaner. Laundry, utensils and cleaned floors are easy to achieve via soft water as no residues are left behind. But if it’s about body soft water isn’t that superior.  In fact, researchers talk about the positives of hard water consumption. They state that soft water does not contain enough minerals that could complete everyday nutrient intake.

As our lives are fast moving and busy scheduled people often neglect their body requirements and do not eat healthy food. They generally binge on fast foods which are not good for health when accompanied by soft water minerals is overlooked. If hard water containing calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper etc are consumed they can overcome this issue.

Hard Water Effects on Hair, Skin, Nails, and Bodies:

Now, we all know that hard water is bad for our household appliances and plumbing system and we also read above that it is good for our health. Then is it bad for our hair or skin? Yes, it is. Here is where hard water laid negative effects on. The term “squeaky clean” is associated with many skin and hair products that work extremely well with hard water. They are full of chemicals which damages skin and hair follicles. Skin irritation, redness, bumps, and eczema these serious conditions are caused by water hardness.

You use water to cook, clean and wash hands. The white scum which you notice on your faucets also develops on your skin, hair, and nails. Naturals oils are washed away and pores become clogged which causes acne, blemishes, and dryness.

Have you ever experienced straw like or coated hair? It is due to hardness which makes hair unmanageable. Minerals react with hard water and do not form enough lather which leaves scum after. As a result, shampoo sticks to hair and feels sticky even after a shower.

Temporary Tips For Hard Water Effects on Hair:

Clarifying Shampoo: Use a clarifying shampoo once or twice a month to clean mineral and residue buildup from the hairs. This will clean the scalp and also boost hair growth.

DIY Apple Cider Vinegar Rinsing: Apple Cider Vinegar is acidic and has many hair benefits. Take a part of vinegar and three parts of water and slowly massage scalp later rinse it with plain water.

Purified Water Rinse: Finally rinse your hairs with distilled or pure water. It will help to resolve hair problems temporarily.

Consider a Water Softener:

We know that hard water isn’t actually bad for our health but worse for our homes. You can opt for temporary issues but they are time consuming and hectic. For a permanent solution, you will need a water softener installation that will remove the minerals ions ultimately soften it.

Soft water is good for hairs, skin and strong nails. Children or adults suffering from skin irritation and eczema will improve. Soap scum will not build up and water consumption will decrease. Also, your house utility bill will decrease as appliances will work efficiently.

We hope this sourced data helped you in identifying the myths of hard vs. soft water and also conversed you what is damaging your health. If you have any doubts write to us we will be glad to assist you.

Did you know that you may be using water containing dissolved minerals such as calcium, magnesium and iron? Thanks to technology, you can easily remove water hardness caused by these minerals from your domestic water. Now this is why you need a water softener. This cool device will solve most of your problems such as stained dishes, spotty laundry and ashy skin. That being said, below are the 5 best digital water softeners for your home.

1. Fleck 5600sxt

This digital water softener is probably the first one in our list because of it’s very good quality and fair price. Built with a Fleck electronic valve known to be the best in the business, its grain capacity of 48,000 will ensure that even the hardest water is softened. Apart from consuming very little power, you’ll also benefit from 2 pre-loaded American-made tanks, and both an installation kit and video tutorials.

Pros:

• 10-year warranty for pre-loaded tanks.
• 5-year valve warranty.
• 48,000-grain capacity.
• Automatic meter-based regeneration cycle.

Cons:

• You’ll need a whole house filter line to effectively remove iron traces.

2. Aquatrol 56SE

This metered water softener is also another great option to soften your home’s water. What makes it stand out from the rest is that it comes in a variety of sizes (4), therefore you could choose the perfect size that suits your needs. For instance, you could choose a small unit for your kitchen or a larger model for the whole house. However, it’s advisable to stick with a larger model.

Size matters aside, this softener have digital controls enabling you set a specific date or sediment level to begin regenerating. You can also pre-set how the water flows into the softener – how fast the water spills.

Additionally, you will get a life warranty for the American-made tank and a 5-year warranty for the unit.

Pros:

• Available in 4 different sizes and capacities.

Cons:

• Removing iron or magnesium may spoil the unit as well as voiding the warranty.

3. Aquios FS-220

This salt-free water softener is arguably the thinnest in the market. First and foremost, this tiny water softener has a carbon filter and is also salt-free. That being said, your water will be softer, purer and tasty like never before. 
In addition, the 27 x 10 x 8 -inch inlets and mounting brackets ensure you won’t need any connectors. However, you should replace the filters periodically to avoid clogging. In short, this product is easy to install and maintain as well as very economical.

Pros:

• Very economical – less expensive and space saving.

Cons:

• Not suitable for heavy water.

4. GE GXSH40V

This 40,000-grain water softener uses the SmartSoft technology that ensures steady supply of soft water as well as monitoring your water usage. You can also remove 10 PPM of iron particles and 125 grains per gallon. That being said, this is the best gateway water softener if you’re on a budget.

Pros:

• Budget friendly.
• Easy to use control panel.

Cons:

• Faulty brine chamber.
• Poor customer service.

5. Aquasana EQ-1000-AST

This whole house water filtration system is salt-free and comes with a 10-year warranty. To make it even better, it’s also a UV (ultraviolet) filter making it a jack-of-all trades package. Apart from that it effectively removes chlorine particles, heavy metals, pesticides and other dangerous contaminants. In short, this salt free system is more expensive but definitely is a value for your money.

Pros:

• All-in-one design with an array of installation options.
• Optional UV filter.

Cons:

• Not pocket friendly.

Verdict

So did your favorite digital water softener make it in our list? Well, this buyer’s guide has included the key features from the best digital water softeners currently in the market. If you keenly follow this guide, you won’t have any trouble choosing your next water softener. Feel free to leave us your reviews in the comments section below.