Water hardness refers to the presence of dissolved minerals in your water, particularly calcium and magnesium.
You may have experienced the effects of hard it firsthand, such as when you last washed your hands. Depending on the hardness of your water, you might have noticed a residue on your hands after using soap. In hard water, the calcium (which is relatively abundant) reacts with soap. It results in the formation of “soap scum.” To effectively clean your hands with hard water, you’ll need to use more soap or detergent.
Have you ever loaded your dishwasher, taken out the glasses, and noticed spots or a film on them? This is due to the presence of hard-water residue, which, although not harmful, can be unsightly.
When hard water is heated, such as in a home heater, solid deposits of calcium carbonate can accumulate. This build-up, known as scale, can have several negative consequences. It will reduce the lifespan of equipment. In addition, it can increase the costs of heating the water. Also, it will definitely lower the efficiency of electric heaters, and even lead to pipe clogs.
Mineral deposits can also occur in your home coffee maker, which is why some people periodically run vinegar (an acid) through the machine. The acidity of vinegar helps dissolve mineral particles by giving them an electrical charge. These newly charged particles are then attracted to the positive and negative charges and can be easily washed away.
However, hardness also has its benefits.
Humans require minerals for maintaining good health, and according to the World Health Organization (WHO), drinking water can contribute to the intake of calcium and magnesium in the diet. This can be particularly important for individuals who have a marginal intake of these minerals.
For that reason, Woder Filters has come up with what we call ‘selective filtration’ – The nanoparticles have an affinity for contaminants, but not for essential minerals. They attract and filter out 99.9% of contaminants but leave in the naturally occurring minerals that are essential to your health. (Reverse osmosis removes everything, so it is described by many experts as “dead” water.). This is the main concept behind the new Generation 4 Woder WD-G4-DC and WD-G4-JG filteration systems.
Overall, understanding hardness can help you make informed decisions about the water you use in your daily life, taking into account both the challenges and potential benefits it presents.
