Have you noticed your water leaving spots on glassware and/or streaks on shower screens, scaling in the kettle, tapware or shower heads? After taking a shower have you noticed that your skin feels dry and itchy or your hair feeling dry, brittle or frizzy? After doing the laundry ever noticed that the fabric is harsh and rough? Soap doesn’t lather up properly? These are some of the results of having hard water.

Hard water is a common issue in municipal/town water supplies in many areas in Australia and New Zealand. Hard water contains a combination of calcium and magnesium which get into the water generally in areas where there is limestone in the soil.

Hardness is often the cause for scale build-up and clogging in plumbing fixtures and hot water systems. It reduces the efficiency and service life of water heaters in some areas a hot water system will only last 12 months. A scale build up means more energy is required to heat the water so an increase in power bills. Soap and detergent is less effective in hard water because it reacts with the organic acid in the soap meaning more is required for cleaning than if the water was soft.

A proven, cost effective solution is a water softener. A water softener exchanges calcium and magnesium with sodium to reduce the hardness, and thereby reduces scales from accumulating in your pipes. This has many benefits, as it not only lengthens the lifespan of your appliances, but also makes using water a whole new experience.

What’s in it for you if you choose to use a water softener?
Your silverware, glassware, mirrors, tiles, or any plumbing fixtures are cleaner and shinier. You get cleaner and softer skin as well as smoother hair. It reduces the soap curd so it makes it easier to clean showers and baths etc.

You require less cleaning products because of the rich lather produced by soap and softened water.

Fabrics last longer, whites stay whiter and clothes are softer without the hard minerals trapped in the fabric.

The lifespan of your appliances such as coffee machines, ice makers, dishwashers, water heaters and laundry equipment are lengthened. You will save money on monthly energy costs and damaged appliances. If you are experiencing any of the issues outlined it would be worthwhile finding out the hardness level of the water in your area. A water softener is an affordable, simple and easy way to improve your quality of life at home at the same time as providing savings in your pocket.