Softening water in the shower can make a huge difference in how your skin and hair feel after washing. Softening water can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Softening shower water can be simple, affordable, and effective with the right tools and knowledge. How to soften water in shower?
Fortunately, there are several ways to soften water in your shower, from investing in a water-softening system to using unique soaps and conditioners. Read on to discover how to soften water in shower and enjoy a luxurious and relaxing experience each time you step in.
How To Soften Water In Shower: Work Of A Shower Filter
A shower filter is a tool installed between your shower arm and shower head and is equipped with various filtration materials to remove pollutants from the water.
Multiple shower filters utilize KDF (Kinetic Degradation Fluxion), carbon, vitamin C, ceramic balls, or a composite of these materials to purify the water.
Shower filters are effective in combating chlorine, eliminating herbicides and pesticides, and even some can get rid of heavy metals like lead and mercury. They can also minimize the amount of scale buildup on the fixtures in your shower.
Shower filters act as a filter to remove certain minerals and metals, but they don’t soften water. A water softener is needed to make hard water more suitable for use. This mechanism is used to take out the minerals like calcium and magnesium in the water through a process of ion exchange (though there are other kinds of water softeners too).
Generally, water softeners are at the primary point of water intake for a house, affecting all the water supplied to the residence, not just what comes from the shower.
How To Soften Water In Shower: Test And Then Act
Before reaching out to a plumber or investing in a water softener, it is essential to assess the hardness of your water. There are a variety of methods to check how to soften water in shower.
If you want to check the quality of your water, you can purchase a kit to do it yourself from a hardware store or engage the services of a state-approved testing laboratory. The EPA provides an outstanding resource to locate an accredited testing laboratory nearby.
You can buy water testing kits at a reasonable cost that will give you an understanding of the hardness of your water in either grain per gallon or milligrams per liter. If you require assistance, here is a conversion table:
Grains Per Gallon (GPG) | Parts Per Million (PPM) | U.S. Geological Survey Classification |
1 – 3.5 | Less than 60 | Soft |
3.5 – 7.0 | 60 – 120 | Moderately Hard |
7.0 – 10.5 | 120 – 180 | Hard |
10.5+ | 180+ | Very Hard |
If the analysis of your water reveals it to be hard, then consider getting a water softener.
Are Shower Filters A Solution?
It is essential to remember that a shower filter is not the same as a water softener, though it can assist in eliminating some contaminants from the water.
If the hardness level of your water is not severe, then installing a shower filter should be sufficient to diminish the consequences of hard water. If your water has excessive hardness, a shower filter will not be enough, and you’ll have to consider obtaining a water softener.
Temporary Living
If you live in a rental apartment where adding a water softener isn’t an option, you should consider getting a shower filter. It is a more affordable and accessible solution to minimize the effects of hard water without violating the terms of your lease agreement.
How To Soften Water In Shower: Benefits Of Soften Water
Many people ask how to soften water in shower because they know the benefits of softened water. When you switch to softened water, the positive effects are instant. You’ll detect a difference in the texture of your hair and skin. Your plumbing fixtures and household appliances will also experience some relief.
Here are some benefits you can expect from softened water:
- Appliances – Your laundry will be super clean, dishes will be free from any spots, and the life span of appliances that use water will increase due to the lack of mineral deposits.
- Interior plumbing – By reducing your consumption of soap and shampoo, you’ll have fewer blocked-up drains and a lower water bill. Your pipes won’t be exposed to a steady stream of minerals, which will extend their lifespan.
- Skin & hair – Your skin will become moist and be less likely to experience discomfort, skin inflammation, and dryness. Additionally, your hair will look and feel more nourished and glossy.
- Exterior plumbing fixtures – Using soap will result in less scum, mineral build-up, and scaling, allowing the fixtures to run more smoothly and remain new for a longer period.
How To Soften Water In Shower: A Step-By-Step Guide
Using different techniques, it is possible to make hard water suitable for showers and baths. Research all the options and decide which best meets your needs and circumstances.
Here are the steps on how to soften water in shower:
Step 1. Boil Water Before Shower
Boiling the water may be a practical solution for temporary hard water. Still, if the water in your home is permanently hard, it won’t provide any relief.
Buy a hard water testing kit to determine the hardness level in your water source. Check the water before and after heating it to see if the hardness has gone down. If the hardness is only temporary, boiling may be helpful.
Step 2. Add Baking Soda To Water
This is a temporary fix, but it works. Add ½ cup of baking soda to a bathtub. Although baking soda cannot completely soften the hard water, its alkalinity will alter the pH of the water to make it more suitable for the skin and hair.
An issue with this technique is that you can’t shower, as you must utilize a bathtub. Using baking soda to eradicate mineral deposits from a clogged shower head and scrub away the grime from your glass shower doors is possible.
Step 3. Use Apple Cider Vinegar
This procedure can assist you in dealing with the outcomes of how to soften water in shower.
After a shower, mix 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into a container of bottled water and use it as a final rinse. Apple cider vinegar is highly acidic, making it beneficial for both skin and hair. It also effectively eliminates the residue left over from hard water.
You can also put a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in your bath. Don’t be concerned about the strong smell. It will dissipate in no time! You can also employ vinegar to unclog your obstructed shower heads!
Step 4. Install A Water Softener System
Installing a home water softening system is a successful approach to dealing with hard water, even if it has a permanent nature. This purchase may cost you quite a bit, but it will solve the hard water problem.
When it comes to softening your water, you have two options: an ion-exchange water softener, the most popular choice, or a salt-free system, referred to as a water conditioner. To find which system is right for you, contact your plumber for help.
Step 5. Install A Shower Head With A Hard Water Filter
To ensure that you have gentle water for your shower; it is advisable to focus on the shower head. Mounting a superior shower head with an integrated hard water filter guarantees you light water whenever you shower.
A water softener within the shower head is the simplest way to combat hard water. This will enable you to have soft skin and lustrous hair and keep the bathroom environment clean while saving you energy and money in the long term.
This is how to soften water in shower.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) On How To Soften Water In Shower
1. How do you soften hard water naturally?
The most basic way to make hard water more gentle is to heat it. When you heat the water, the minerals will drop out of the liquid, leaving you with soft, pure water. Place a pot of water over a flame and let it boil for a minimum of 5 minutes. Once the liquid has been brought to a boil, turn off the heat source.
2. How can I soften my shower without a water softener?
Heating water is undoubtedly one of the most efficient methods for softening it. The boiling will cause the heavy water minerals like calcium and magnesium to settle to the bottom.
3. Is it okay to shower with hard water?
The accumulation of calcium on the scalp can lead to dryness and flaking, which is commonly referred to as dandruff. Furthermore, hard water has a more widespread drying effect, causing itching and occasional red patches of skin on other parts of the body. It not only aggravates skin conditions like psoriasis & contributes to new situations.
4. How can I convert hard water to soft water at home for my hair?
To reduce the impact of hard water on hair, citric acid in lime or lemon juice is a valuable solution. Take a fresh lemon or lime juice (or both), and combine it with 3 times the amount of water. After you shampoo your hair, take the mixture and spread it evenly throughout it, and make sure to work it into your scalp.
Summary: How To Soften Water In Shower
The key to softening water in shower is investing in a quality shower filter that removes toxins and impurities from the water.
If you want to invest in a shower filter, make sure that the caliber of your shower filter meets the standards set by the Health Department. It is essential to research the types of contaminants your water is known to contain before you purchase a shower filter.
Shower filters can provide you with an excellent compromise between hard water and using your softeners. The filter particles are larger than those in traditional shower filters and can reduce the amount of calcium and magnesium in the water by about 80%. If you do have to have a shower filter, it’s probably best to get one that has a built-in softener.
Apple cider vinegar is another cheap, effective, and temporary fix for softening hard water. This fruit-based solution has a mild acidity that can help to balance out the pH of hard water.
I hope this article on how to soften water in shower sounds helpful!
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