How Does Hard Water Impact You?

When it comes to looking after your skin, one of the most important things you need to consider is the type of water you’re exposing it to, and whether you have any safety measures in place, like a residential water econditioner. You might be thinking to yourself; isn’t all water the same?

Not quite.

Think about the following questions; How do you feel when you finish a shower? Does your skin feel gentle and smooth, and clean, or does it feel dry, itchy, irritated, rough, and scratchy? Do you find yourself having to spend exorbitant amounts of money on different lotions to stop potential skin irritation and itchiness?

When it comes to the condition of your skin (and body in general), the water you are using at home carries significant weight – and it could boil down to whether you have hard or soft water.

We’ll break it down for you.

Hard water is hard. Soft water is soft. Based on this, which one do you think is better?

Soft, of course! Hard water isn’t as kind to your skin and makes it difficult to get 100% squeaky clean. Thankfully, there are and residential water econditioners available to help.

So, exactly how does hard water affect your skin?

What exactly is hard water, and can it really ruin your hair and most importantly—what can you do about it?

According to Hairclub, when pure rainwater filters through rocks, soil and even sand, it naturally picks up mineral salts like calcium and magnesium. While these accumulated minerals aren’t generally harmful to health, they are tough on your hair. As water accumulates these minerals, they react with shampoos, conditioners and soaps to reduce effectiveness.

Is hard water bad for your skin? What can hard water actually DO to your skin? 

Hard water hosts minerals which can leave an unwanted build-up of soap residue. What does this mean for your skin? This can clog your pores, and stop your body from releasing its natural oils. Clogged pores are one of the leading causes of acne, skin irritations and sometimes (in extreme cases), eczema.

If you’re someone who likes having soft, smooth skin, then putting hard water on it isn’t a good idea. Hard water can create a dry, rough texture on your skin as it strips away any natural moisture from the skin.

The effects of eczema with hard water and after using a water softener.

How can hard water affect my home? 

Hard water can leave behind an unwanted, scummy residue in your bathroom. White scummy surfaces might also appear as a result of hard water, in addition to potential clogging up your plumbing and shower head.

Hard water isn’t good for cleaning either – this goes for your clothing in the washing machine, dishes in the dishwasher or in the sink, cleaning your floors, and more.

When you have a water conditioner installed in your home, you’re giving yourself a better chance of having water that is better for cleaning.

This ‘scummy’ surface doesn’t only appear on surfaces around the house. It can also build up on your skin. Imagine a scummy residue building up and clogging your pores (think of a clogged pipe – not ideal). This can mean unwanted breakouts on your skin, and aggravated skin-related conditions.

The natural oils your body produces are distributed through the pores of your skin. When those pores are clogged, the oil gets trapped and blemishes like pimples and zits form.

The short-term effects of using hard water on your skin and body are also worth considering. 

If you’ve ever felt your scalp to be dry, flaky, red, itchy, or just uncomfortable in general, hard water, which can also give hair a dull and lifeless appearance, could be the culprit.

Another UK-based study discovered that schoolchildren who lived in areas with hard water were 50% more likely to suffer from eczema.

While hard water can be troublesome and affect everything from your skin and general appearance to your hair and scalp, it can also affect your plumbing and clothing.

How do you test water hardness? 

An easy way to do this is to inspect the wet areas of your home, and look for white or blue-white, chalky build-up or residue.

You might be wondering, how do I protect myself from hard water? 

There are a variety of fantastic ways that you can achieve this.

One of the best investments you can make for yourself, your health and your family is to purchase a residential water econditioner.

Not only does this make soap easier to rinse off and decrease the chance of soap residue build-up on your skin, but soft water is far more gentle on the body. That’s less chance of lines and wrinkles, or an itchy/red scalp, and more chance of healthier, more vibrant and youthful skin.

A residential water econditioner is the most effective and most permanent solution to hard water disruptions and challenges, especially if you’ve had enough of dealing with hard water in your home, and the negative implications that come with that.

Ecosoft Water’s fantastic range of water conditioners are amongst the most innovative, effective and strong residential water treatment products on the market.

Soft water enables people to use less soap product to get clean. In fact, after installing a residential water conditioner, you could save yourself money on the expensive body wash and lotion you thought you needed.

We also recommend that, if you have a history of sensitive skin or skin-related conditions, that you use highly-regarded body washes and/or moisturizers that do not include any harmful chemicals or ingredients and are free of any fragrances.

The long-term and short-term health of your body depends on healthy water – exposing your body to hard water is certainly not worth the gamble.

Without a residential water softener, these problems can arise from hard water:  

  • Limescale
  • Soap scum
  • Lessened efficiency of appliances designed to heat water (coffee maker, dishwasher, water heater)
  • Scummy mineral deposits on taps
  • Scummy mineral deposits on shower heads

We’ll conclude by giving the following, summarising piece of advice; the only way to address all of the impacts of hard water in your home is to incorporate a residential water econditioner system for your whole house.

Question Mark Lady in Shower
Contact Us
Post P.O. Box 499 Leederville, WA (Western Australia) 6903