Why is my laundry difficult to get clean and why are there never any bubbles in the bath?

Water hardness is the likely cause. Hardness prevents soap from lathering and causes scale buildup as seen in an electric kettle or coffee maker. Dissolved calcium and magnesium salts are primarily responsible for most scaling in pipes, water heaters and cause numerous problems with laundry as well as the kitchen and bath.

Photo of scale build up on kitchen tap

Scale build-up on a faucet

What is the root cause of hard water?

Water hardness is typically caused by water leaching over, or through, common calcium containing minerals such as limestone, chalk or dolomite.

Treatment Options

The equipment chosen to remove hard water is typically dependent on whether you are looking for point-of-use (POU) reduction or a point-of-entry (POE) reduction. Hardness reduction for POU is dealt with by reverse osmosis technology, while whole home harness reduction is accomplished with ion exchange (water softener). Ion exchange water softeners will physically exchange the hardness ions (calcium and magnesium) with sodium ions. The resulting water will be devoid of any (or severely limited) hardness ions which cause hard water and the detrimental effects that hard water has in the home.

Photo of a typical household water softener

A typical household water softener

Benefits of soft water

There are many benefits of using softened water, here are just a few:
 
•    Cost-effective
•    Appliances will last longer
•    Simple maintenance
•    Less soap is needed to cleanse the skin 
•    Soft water improves quality of cleaning clothes
•    Environmentally friendly
•    No scale build up
•    Rings and stains won't darken your bathroom fixtures.
•    Glasses and  dishes wont streak