What to do if you have hard water at home? The best methods to mitigate it. How to soften water at home from a well or well How to soften hard water at home

Hard water by definition is water that contains large amounts of dissolved salts, mainly calcium and magnesium. These salts leave a residue that can clog water pipes, lead to clouding of tiles and glass, prevent soap from forming foam and settling on the skin and hair. Although scientific research does not indicate that hard water poses any danger to human health, the problem still remains unresolved. Let's consider various ways How to soften water at home.

The problem of stiffness and methods for measuring it

When we talk about hard water, this means that it contains a significant percentage of dissolved salts. These are mainly calcium and magnesium salts. Calcium and magnesium in dissolved form are positively charged ions (Ca2+ and Mg2+), the presence of which in water leads to the problem of dissolution of other positively charged ions. In some cases, dissolved iron ions (Fe2+ and Fe3+) also increase hardness values.

The methods listed below will help you learn how to check hardness at home:

• Pure water does not conduct electric current, and only the dissolution of salts in it makes it a good conductor of current. Moreover, the higher the content of dissolved salts, the better it conducts current; this principle can be used to determine hardness. An electronic TDS meter allows you to measure the total amount of dissolved salts. The unit of measurement is ppm (parts per million). For example, if we measure hardness using a TDS meter and it shows us 300 ppm, then this tells us that for every million solutes, 300 are salts. Using this device is quite simple, you just need to plug it into the electrical network and lower its metal part into a vessel with water that needs to be measured, in a few seconds we will get the result.
• Special stripes. These strips are made to measure the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium ions. The principle of their operation is based on chemical reactions with these ions. Such strips are unable to determine the content of other dissolved ions, and the measurements themselves are rather approximate.

Hard water undesirable for two main reasons: firstly, it does not lather and makes it difficult to use cleaning products for washing dishes and washing clothes, and secondly, it leads to the accumulation of sediment (insoluble calcium and magnesium carbonates) in water pipes, which ultimately clogs their. Currently, there are a number of methods that can reduce the content of positively charged calcium and magnesium ions in water, that is, soften it.

Methods and methods of mitigation

There are several effective methods to soften the water at home, when the volumes used are small. Moreover, each method should be used depending on existing needs.

For cooking food

Reducing the content of dissolved salts in water for cooking or drinking is carried out in two ways: boiling or using special filter.

Boiling water only partially softens it, so this method will not be equally effective in all homes. To check if any results were achieved using this method, do the following:

• Bring the water to a boil and boil it for a few minutes.
• Leave it to cool for two hours. During this time, mineral salts will precipitate at the bottom of the vessel.
• Drain the top layers from the vessel, leaving the sediment at the bottom.
• Before using boiled water for food, pour it from one vessel to another. In this way you will restore the dissolved air content in it, which was lost during boiling.

The second method of softening is to purchase a special ion filter. Some filter models are attached to the neck of the water tap, while others are supplied with the vessel. Typically, such filters do not change the amount of most of the pollutants contained in the water, at least unless a second filter is present in the vessel, for example, a carbon filter or a reverse osmosis filter.

Hard water has a special taste depending on the substances it contains. dissolved salts. Many coffee drinkers enjoy this taste compared to the bland taste of soft water. If this is your case, then purchase a softening filter with a special valve that allows you to use water directly from the well.

For aquarium fish

Water for an aquarium at home should also contain a certain amount of dissolved salts that are vital for its inhabitants. However, if percentage salts are large enough, then boiling before replacing it in the aquarium can also be used when you do not know how to soften the water in the aquarium. But in the latter case, it is necessary to enrich it with oxygen before placing fish in it.

Another way to soften the water in an aquarium and reduce the content of dissolved salts in it is to use a special filter based on the principle of reverse osmosis. Such a filter can be purchased at a store where the fish themselves are sold. Note that you should breed snails in your aquarium, since they are consumers of calcium and magnesium (the main ions that are responsible for hardness). Snails naturally able to remove excess salts.

For washing clothes

When washing, add softener to the washing machine. This product allows you to bind dissolved mineral salts. Avoid using precipitating softeners as they leave a strong residue on clothing and on the inside of the washing machine. Once you have selected the appropriate product, add it to your washing machine as follows:

1. Follow the instructions on the softener label and add it during the wash cycle. If you don't know exactly what the water hardness is in your area, then add softener until the water starts to foam during washing.
2. Add another portion of softener while rinsing the laundry. If this is not done, all the mineral salts will settle on the clothes.

If your clothes, pipes, or porcelain have White spots, then white vinegar can help solve this problem. Put rubber gloves on your hands, apply pure or diluted vinegar to the white spots, scrub well with a sponge, then rinse. This method of cleaning unwanted plaque from objects can be tedious when the plaque forms in a relatively short time, but if the hardness is low, then this method will be quite economical.

Hard water can lead to roughness of the fabric towels after washing, in this case you can also use the white vinegar cleaning method. Remember that vinegar bleaches some types of fabrics and can damage ceramic items. Some people prefer to add half a cup of vinegar to the washing machine while rinsing their clothes. This product may cause damage to some machine parts, so consult your washing machine manufacturer regarding this issue.

Whole House Water Softeners

A water softener, or water softener, is a device that uses mechanical, chemical and electrical means to treat water to reduce the amount of dissolved mineral salts in it. If the water in your home is hard, then using such a device will be more economical than using other means.

Hardness Analyzer, usually measures this in units or degrees per gallon (4 liters). Translate this result into the average amount of water you use throughout your entire home during the day. Based on the number of units obtained, purchase the appropriate water softener, which should be selected with ten times this figure. A tenfold improvement is necessary so that the device does not work constantly, but rests from time to time.

For example, let's say the water in your home has a hardness of 9 units per gallon. If you use 300 gallons per day, then you need to soften the water by 9*300=2700 units per day. A suitable water softener for this case should be designed for 2700 * 10 = 27000 units. Softeners based on ion exchange perform their functions most effectively at home.

The existing variety of softeners, which are not based on ion exchange, are less effective at softening, and in most cases they do not perform their function at all. There are two types of ion exchange water softeners according to the regenerating agent used:

1. Sodium chloride based: This is the most common and effective type of water softener and adds a small amount of table salt to the water as part of its operation.
2. Potassium chloride based: although less effective, they are suitable for those people who cannot consume table salt. Keep in mind that potassium may be harmful for people with kidney problems.

If none of the above types of water softeners suits you, then purchase any and install a reverse osmosis filter in addition to it to purify the water from sodium or potassium chloride.

Once you have decided on a specific type and class of water softener, pay attention to the details. Many devices recharge automatically after being turned off for some time. Some models are programmed for a certain operating time interval, so you will always drink softened water.

In addition to purchasing a water softener, you should consider renting one, since in this case you will not only save the initial costs of purchasing it, but also you will not have to install it yourself, but rather use the services of a professional.

If you nevertheless decide to buy your own device, then also pay attention to the presence of a certification mark, usually this is the presence of the abbreviations NSF or WQA on the device. When installing it yourself, follow the appropriate instructions that come with the device, and also use the help of a familiar plumber.

• Filters operating on the principle of reverse osmosis effectively soften water only for a short time, since they quickly lose their effectiveness due to the accumulation of mineral salts in them. The best way softening is to use a combination of two filters in the following sequence: first a filter based on ion exchange, and then a filter based on reverse osmosis. There are devices that come with these two filters.
• Do not trust softeners that operate on a principle other than ion exchange. Most of them are pure deception. Their operating principles are based not on scientific knowledge, but on pseudoscientific knowledge, for example, softeners using magnetism, electric coils, radioelectric pulses or “catalysts”. The maximum useful work that all these devices can do is to reduce the thickness of plaque on water pipes, and many cannot even do this.

Thus, there are a number of methods and methods that can now be easily used at home to solve the problem of hard water.

Attention, TODAY only!

Hard water is a natural phenomenon. The fact is that groundwater, before getting into the glass of a common man, passes through sedimentary limestone rocks, becoming saturated with all kinds of salts. On the way to the human body, chlorides, phosphates and other harmful compounds manage to get into the liquid.

Problems with our pipelines - hard water

After boiling, only some of these substances precipitate. The lion's share of dirt and harmful substances enters the body and settles on the insides of equipment (kettles, dishwashers and washing machines), shortening their service life. This is not so much inconvenient and expensive, because no one wants to change devices every year, especially expensive ones, but it is dangerous for health.

What makes many housewives look for an answer to the question of how to soften water at home? The reasons are quite simple and striking in their manifestation, namely:

• white stains on things and dishes;
• washing out the color of clothes and deterioration of the structure of the fabric, reducing the service life of things;
• decrease in foaming properties of detergents;
• scale on the internal surfaces of appliances and dishes;
• the appearance of problems with the genitourinary system and liver associated with excessive consumption of calcium and magnesium ions;
• dullness and fragility of hair, dryness and sagging skin, irritation of the skin.

You should know it! If friends and acquaintances do not praise a detergent or washing powder, which in fact does not wash or wash, this does not mean that those around them are mistaken in its quality characteristics. Perhaps excessively hard water is to blame. Yours! From your tap or well!!

What does the concept of rigidity mean? And how can a liquid that cannot be held in your hands be such? Due to its chemical composition, namely the level of magnesium and calcium salts. Hardness is measured in units such as mol/cubic meter and mEq/liter.

Today, hard water is a natural and almost normal phenomenon, caused by the influence of groundwater oversaturated with salts and chemical elements. This liquid may also contain phosphate and chloride compounds and all kinds of organic dirt.

You can independently determine the stiffness coefficient using a special device - a conductometer, designed to measure the electrical conductivity parameter of a liquid. If the indicator is high, we can talk about an increased concentration of metal salts in the water.

Scale on heating elements indicates water hardness

Some chemical salts form a sedimentary mass during boiling, but the lion's share of the compounds ends up in the human body, on the walls of devices, equipment and machinery.

• poor foaming of detergents;
• the formation of scale and white deposits on the walls of appliances after boiling;
• whitish stains on things after washing and dishes after washing;
• bitter taste;
• rapid wear of clothing, as the performance characteristics of the fabrics are significantly reduced;
• sagging and dry skin, fragility and dullness of hair.

Water is divided into types according to degree of hardness in degrees:

• Soft (0-2º). Characteristic of marshy and peat areas. Pure melt water is also considered such.
• Average (2-7º). Distributed in most areas. Typically, such water is obtained from wells and boreholes.
• Hard (7.1-11º). It is found in areas that have excess amounts of chemical salts and pollutants. Negatively affects the human body and the environment.
• Super hard (from 11º). In natural conditions, it is found near caves and mines. Not suitable for drinking.

The division by type of hardness is also made according to the concentration of chemicals:

• Constant. It has aggressive components and metal salts that are resistant to decomposition during boiling. Removal of the latter is possible only with the help of special filter systems.
• Temporary. It is caused by the unstable presence of calcium and magnesium salts, which, when water is heated, disintegrate and form a sedimentary mass. That is, such compounds are eliminated through conventional heat treatment.

The hardness level can be measured with a conductivity meter

In Russia, water containing up to 9 mEq/L of salts is considered hard, and in the USA – 6 mEq/L. You can find out information about hardness from the company supplying the liquid, provided you use the city water supply, or from the water supply company, even if you have your own power source. It is unlikely that water in one territory differs significantly in quality characteristics. This way you can get approximate information about hardness and research results. Other options: submit the water for analysis to a laboratory or carry out the analysis yourself using a hardness test.

The simplest and most effective way to soften water is to boil it. The main thing is to do it correctly. So, the process of proper boiling consists of the following steps:

• filling a kettle or pan with water;
• turning on the gas and placing a container with liquid on it;
• reduce the flame after boiling and boil for 35-50 minutes;
• cooling and settling for 24 hours;
• pouring into another container, excluding any sediment that has formed.

This method is quite simple, but somewhat labor-intensive. And this is not the only negative. During boiling, water undergoes significant changes. It loses not only salts, but also most useful elements with oxygen. If you regularly drink only boiled liquid, this will very soon affect the functioning of the digestive system.

This water is not suitable for watering indoor flowers. Dishes in which boiling is carried out will quickly become overgrown with limescale. The taste of the liquid after processing loses its original freshness and lightness. Boiling is easy, but drinking is not very pleasant, although it is safer than drinking liquid from the tap.

Boiling will help soften the water

Note to the hostess! To prevent deposits from appearing on the dishes in which boiling is carried out, you should use 2 tbsp. citric acid. Important! This product is added after the next procedure to clean water, which is boiled for about 5 minutes, after which it is drained. This method helps to completely get rid of scale.

The laws of physics prove that metal salts freeze when exposed to low temperatures. Important! Their crystallization occurs as a last resort. It is this feature that allows you to soften water by freezing; to do this, you should perform the following steps:

1. pour water into the container, leaving 20-25% of the container free;
2. be sure to close the lid;
3. put it in the freezer or take it outside (in winter);
4. after 30 minutes, remove the formed ice from the container with heavy impurities that freeze first;
5. return the container to the freezer;
6. wait until 80% of the liquid is frozen;
7. pour out the rest of the water in which harmful metals, salts and impurities have accumulated;
8. defrost the ice, obtaining the purest part of the liquid with the optimal amount of calcium (16 mg/l).

This liquid can be used for food purposes, for watering plants and washing children's clothes. It is melt water that long-livers drink!

We draw attention to the following points:

• water is not boiled before freezing, since high temperatures disrupt its structure, changing its biochemical and biophysical properties;
• the best material is natural, that is, spring or well water with a natural composition of microelements;
• tap water is pre-filtered or settled;
• To prepare melt water, only containers made of food-grade plastic or durable glass are used;
• Ice is melted at room temperature or slightly lower.

Melt water is the secret of long life for centenarians

Important! After melt water is ready, it retains its wonderful properties for only a day. The product is biologically active for no more than 8-10 hours. Therefore, it is better to defrost ice in parts. For example, moving it from the freezer to the top shelf of the refrigerator at night so that you can drink a healthy drink on an empty stomach in the morning.

Lye is an excellent tool for making water softer. By reacting with metals, it causes salts to precipitate. As alkali, you can use soda ash or baking soda, as well as peat and ash.

Soda ash is added to the washing liquid. It helps improve the foaming properties of soap and powder, as well as remove stains and whiten laundry. For 10 liters of hot water take 2 tablespoons of soda. It can be added both during boiling, hand washing, and in the automatic machine immediately before washing.

Baking soda is suitable for washing and bathing. It softens water and does not dry out the skin. For one liter of warm liquid, take one teaspoon of soda. The latter should completely dissolve, and the resulting solution should stand for about 10 minutes.

Baking soda can be used to soften your wash water.

Peat and ash are used at the rate of 10 g of peat or 3 g of ash per liter of water. Plants are watered with this liquid!

The problem of water hardness is very important for modern man. Manufacturers of all kinds of filters and purification units hastened to take advantage of this. They allow you to quickly and comfortably achieve the desired softness and antibacterial effect.

There are special technical filters installed under the sink

What is the best water softener for your home? It depends on each specific situation, opportunities, tasks and other nuances.

Small volumes of liquid, for example, for drinking and making tea/coffee, can be conveniently cleaned using a household filter in the form of a jug with a replaceable cartridge. The main thing is not to forget to regularly change this same cartridge, and there will always be a couple of liters of fresh, clean water in the house, suitable for quenching your thirst.

Filter jug ​​is suitable for drinking and preparing drinks

Typically, a cartridge lasts for 1-2 months of daily use. The duration of operation is affected by the hardness of the water and its amount consumed daily by a person or family.

Manufacturers offer three types of these filters:

• Flask with polyphosphate crystals. The most economical and simple option. Crystals are poured into the flask. One filling is enough for a couple of months, after which the crystals are replaced with new ones.
• Cartridge. Cleaning and softening of liquids is based on the work of special replaceable cartridges.
• Regenerative. Contains ionic resin. They function by periodically regenerating the properties of the resin using a saline solution. Expensive option. It is produced in the form of cylinders with a separate container for saline solution or compact forms with a filter and a container for salt in one housing.

Polyphosphate filter is suitable for purifying industrial water

The main advantage of ion exchange filters is high performance and liquid softening. Disadvantages: water is unsuitable for drinking, periodic replacement of cartridges and crystals, high consumption of table salt and the high cost of regenerative models.

Water is softened by “pushing” it at a pressure of 3-4 atm. through a special semi-permeable membrane. By allowing water molecules to pass through, the membrane retains salt molecules and any other impurities. Thus, the user receives practically distilled water. This is both good and bad at the same time.

This water is not recommended for drinking and cooking. The fact is that it is so purified that it does not contain the salts and minerals necessary for the human body. It’s another matter if the filter is equipped with a special mineralizer that saturates purified and softened water with useful minerals and salts.

Membrane appearance

Disadvantages of membrane filters:

• the need for additional mineralization;
• pressure in the water supply system is not less than 3 atm;
• high cost of filters and consumables;
• low productivity.

Traditional methods

There is no opportunity or desire to use the latest miracles of professional developments? Then you can use “grandmother’s” methods. They are tested by time and people.

1. Large quantities of water are difficult to purify and soften using a filter. The simplest and most effective method for dealing with impressive volumes is to let it sit for several days. Most often, this method is used to soften liquid from a well or borehole intended for irrigation or washing. If the latter is produced using a unit, it is recommended to purchase a special one.
2. Peat infusion. For a bucket of water you will need 100 g of peat, which is placed in a canvas bag. The water should be infused for about a day, after which it can be used for watering plants.
3. Silicon liquid. Pure silicon stones are placed in a glass or enamel container, filled with water at the rate of 100 g per 10 liters, placed in a shaded place for 2-3 days, covered with gauze. Only the top layer of liquid can be drained and used. The bottom layer covering the stones contains harmful substances. After the procedure, the stones must be thoroughly washed and dried. It is recommended to store the finished water in a cool place, but not in the refrigerator. Also, do not boil it, otherwise it will lose its positive properties.
4. Hard water from a tap can be made softer by liquid purchased in a store, rain or melt water. To do this, you need to mix them. The proportions depend on the intended use.
5. Flax decoction. Used for swimming. Infused with flax seeds. For 1 l. Take 4 tsp of boiling water. seeds The broth is boiled for about 5 minutes, then infused for an hour.

Good to know

Why do you need to soften water? Is there information that will help understand the issue a little deeper? Certainly! Here she is. The main thing is the benefits of soft water:

• Significant savings in detergents, including toothpaste, because they foam better and are consumed less.
• Saving electricity by reducing the number of washes and cleanings.
• Extending the life of water pipes and household appliances.
• Long-term preservation of the original quality and characteristics of clothing.

Any, even the most expensive method or method of water softening pays off. How exactly is described in the above mentioned advantages. But the most important thing is health. You can't buy it. You can't skimp on it. And any disease is better to prevent than to treat. Water is the easiest way to prolong life and its quality. To do this, it is enough to control its cleanliness and softness!

We know from advertising that too hard water leads to the appearance of scale and rapid failure of washing machines. Manufacturers don't lie. Excessive hardness harms not only household appliances, but also health: it makes hair thin and brittle, accelerates skin aging, promotes the development of kidney and genitourinary diseases, and creates additional stress on blood vessels. Depending on the situation, you can soften water using different methods; in this article we will review the most affordable means at home.

Theory. Water hardness is a parameter that characterizes the concentration of calcium and magnesium salts in the composition. It is measured in units of mol/m3 (mol per cubic meter) or degrees of hardness (accepted in Russia) - mEq/l (milligrams equivalent per liter). The higher this indicator, the worse.

According to research by the World Health Organization (WHO), normal water hardness is 1-2°F (mg-eq/l). In Russia, the acceptable norm is considered to be up to 7°F.

Based on hardness, water is divided into:

• soft (0-2°F) - found in nature in swampy areas with peat bogs; melted snow uncontaminated with other substances also falls into this group. Interestingly, it is very difficult to wash off soap with soft water.
• medium (2.1-7°F) – most common;
• hard (7-10°F) – harmful and hazardous to health;
• super-hard (more than 10°F) - in natural conditions it is found in lakes of karst caves; it is impossible to drink such water.

Depending on the substances contained, water hardness is:

• constant - caused by the presence in water of chlorides, phosphates, silicates, sulfates and nitrates of magnesium, calcium, which do not disintegrate during boiling; basically, these substances are removed only by filters;
• temporary - occurs in most cases, is caused by magnesium and calcium bicarbonates, which disintegrate when heated, forming scale deposits on pipes and heating devices, which leads to increased energy costs and breakdowns.

How to determine water hardness

The easiest option is to look at a special map of water hardness in your region. You can also use a conductometer (TDS meter) - a special device that measures the electrical conductivity of water, popularly called a “salinity meter”. The higher the number on the screen, the harder the water, since it contains a lot of salts. The exact ratio can be calculated from the tables.

Signs of increased water hardness:

• soap and washing powder produce very little foam;
• persistent scale in the kettle after several boils;
• streaks appear after washing dishes;
• the water has a slightly bitter taste (not all people feel it);
• after settling, a white coating appears on the walls of containers with water.

Water hardness unit conversion calculator

°ZH (Russia) °DH (Germany) °Clark (UK) °F (France) ppm (USA)

Methods to soften water

1. Boiling. The easiest way available to get rid of temporary hardness without the use of chemicals and complex devices. At high temperatures, calcium bicarbonates and sulfate decompose, forming sediment on the bottom of the cookware and heating elements. Softened water is suitable for any purpose: drinking, washing, washing, etc.

Bring the water to a boil, leave for 2-3 minutes, then cool to the desired temperature.

Flaws:

• Only temporary water hardness is partially reduced;
• limited – it is very difficult to provide all household needs with boiled water;
• after some time, due to a layer of scale, heating systems and containers have to be changed or cleaned;
• When boiling, beneficial substances evaporate from water;
• heating requires significant energy expenditure.

2. Advocacy. After 1-2 days, in a place protected from direct sunlight, it softens water from wells and wells intended for watering flowers and indoor plants. Can be used to purify drinking water, but only if the initial hardness is only slightly higher than normal.

3. Freezing. An effective method that does not change the structure of water, as a result of which all useful substances remain in the composition. Place the water in the freezer; when ice appears on the sides of the container, drain the liquid down the center.

Use melted ice as drinking water or for watering flowerpots.

Disadvantage: It is difficult to prepare large volumes of water using this method.

4. Baking and soda ash. Thanks to its chemical properties, soda softens water and reduces acidity.

Add 2 teaspoons of baking soda or 1 teaspoon of soda ash per 10 liters of water, mix well and wait until sediment appears at the bottom. When cooking, add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to 3 liters of water to help the cereals and vegetables cook better.

Flaws:

• water softened with soda cannot be used for drinking (except for boiling);
• difficulty in constantly processing large volumes of water.

5. Vinegar and citric acid. They partially reduce hardness, but significantly increase acidity, as a result of which these products are not recommended for drinking water. They are often used for cosmetic purposes.

To soften the water for washing your hair, add 1 tablespoon of vinegar (1 teaspoon of citric acid or the juice of one lemon) to 2 liters of water, stir. Let sit for 4-5 minutes before using.

6. Rock (table) salt. It is also sodium chloride, which dissolves calcium and magnesium salts contained in water, preventing the appearance of scale on heating devices. Due to changes in chemical composition and taste, this method is not recommended for drinking.

Basically, salt softens water intended for dishwashers. For ease of use, manufacturers supply salt in the form of granules and tablets, but in most cases the composition of the proposed substance is no different from table salt.

7. Chemicals. First of all, these are the popular brands Calgon, Finish and others, which are sold in the form of powder or tablets. Use according to instructions. Sold in household chemical stores.

Disadvantage: they soften water only for washing.

8. Filters. Universal systems designed to quickly soften large amounts of hard water and remove harmful impurities. They can operate autonomously or be connected to a water supply. They differ in design and principle of operation.

Types of water hardness reduction systems:

• Filter jug– designed for a volume of 1-3 liters, suitable for purifying drinking water, making tea or coffee. Operates using a special cartridge. Depending on the intensity of use and the initial hardness of the water, it lasts up to 2 months, then it requires replacing the filter cartridge.
• Ion exchange systems– filter and soften water of any hardness using special ion exchange resins and saline solution (the substances are located in different tanks). These filters are characterized by high performance and relative ease of maintenance. Disadvantages: not suitable for drinking water, require periodic replacement of reagents and connection to sewerage.
• Magnetic and electromagnetic softeners– installed on highways or on water pipes in the form of linings. Under the influence of a magnetic or electromagnetic field, hardness salts lose their ability to be deposited in the form of scale and flow into special settling tanks. Disadvantage: not suitable for drinking water purification.
• Membrane filters (reverse osmosis systems)– pass water under pressure through a special membrane that traps molecules of all substances except water. It is not recommended to use water after a membrane filter for food purposes, since it does not contain substances necessary for the body.

To solve this problem, reverse osmosis systems are equipped with an additional module - a mineralizer, which saturates the water with the necessary minerals and salts after purification. Disadvantages: high cost and low performance.

Excess iron, magnesium and calcium salts increase water hardness.

This negatively affects work household appliances and equipment, the condition of hair, nails and skin provokes the development of chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system.

How to safely soften hard water using simple and affordable methods?

Signs of increased stiffness

What is water hardness? This is an indicator that determines the level of magnesium and calcium salts that are part of the chemical composition of the liquid. Units of measurement are mol/cub.m and mg.eq./liter.

Hard water is a common phenomenon, which is caused by the influence of groundwater saturated with salts of chemical elements. In addition, such a liquid may contain chloride and phosphate compounds, as well as various organic pollutants.

To determine the hardness of water with your own hands, it is recommended to use a special device - a conductometer, designed to measure the electrical conductivity parameter of a liquid. A high indicator indicates an increased concentration of metal salts in water.

During the boiling process, chemical salts form a sedimentary mass, but most of the compounds enter the human body and settle on the walls of instruments, machinery and equipment.

What kind of water will be considered hard? The main signs of increased salt concentration are as follows:

• Detergents do not foam well;
• after boiling, scale and white deposits form;
• after washing clothes and dishes, characteristic stains remain;
• hard liquid acquires an unpleasant bitter taste;
• water has a negative impact on the performance characteristics of fabrics;
• An increased concentration of salts leads to diseases of the excretory system, as well as sagging and dry skin.

Types of Hard Water

According to the degree of hardness (in degrees), water is:

• Soft (from 0 to 2 degrees). It is common in areas with a large number of swamps and peat bogs. This category also includes clean melt water.
• Medium (from 2 to 7 degrees). This type of liquid is common in almost any area. As a rule, a well or well provides private households with water of medium hardness.
• Hard (from 7.1 to 11 degrees). It is found in areas with excess amounts of chemical salts and pollutants. Has a negative effect on the human body.
• Super hard (from 11 degrees). Natural water is made hard by the proximity of caves and mines, so it is not used for drinking.

Based on the concentration of chemicals, water hardness can be:

• Constant. It is determined by the presence of aggressive components and metal salts that are resistant to decomposition during the boiling process. To remove them, special filter systems are used.
• Temporary. It is caused by the temporary presence of calcium and magnesium salts, the heating of which leads to disintegration and the formation of a sedimentary mass. This means that such compounds can be removed by conventional heat treatment.

Many consumers are interested in the answer to a fairly common question - how to soften water at home? Are there effective ways water softening solutions that can be easily implemented in practice?

• heat treatment;
• freezing;
• reagent effect;
• filtration.

Removing hardness by heat treatment (boiling)

The easiest way to soften water at home is heat treatment, i.e. boiling. Exposure to high temperatures leads to the destruction of ionic bonds between chemical elements and the formation of sediment. Further, soft water can be used for drinking and household purposes.

Boiling water is carried out as follows:

• hard water is poured into a container and brought to a boil;
• After boiling, the water is cooled to room temperature and poured into a clean container.

More difficult option involves boiling water for an hour and settling for 24 hours.

Boiling removes metal salts, carbon dioxide vapor, chloride compounds and mechanical impurities.

Despite its popularity and simplicity, heat treatment has some disadvantages:

• boiling leads to the rapid formation of limescale, which is difficult to remove;
• boiled water is not suitable for watering indoor plants;
• prolonged use of liquid after heat treatment can lead to deterioration of the gastrointestinal tract;
• water changes its organoleptic characteristics.

Freezing is a simple and effective way

You can reduce the hardness of water by regular freezing or freezing. This method involves the action of low temperatures on salts of chemical elements with the formation of crystals. In this case, water softening occurs gradually, without changing the structure of the liquid.

Freezing is performed as follows:

• the container is filled with water and loaded into the freezer;
• after freezing 75% of the liquid, the remainder, which contains all the harmful elements, is drained;
• The melted liquid becomes potable, which means it can be used for cooking, watering flowers and washing delicate fabrics.

The only drawback of this method is the difficulty of preparing a large volume of melt water.

Treatment with chemical and food reagents

Softening hard water with reagents is an effective way to combat metal salts. The effect of chemicals on impurities in water leads to the formation of sediment. The following reagents are used for these purposes:

• Baking soda. It helps reduce acidity and salt concentration. Softening water with soda occurs as follows: for washing, use 2 tsp. for 11 liters, for cooking - 1 tsp. for 3 liters.
• Soda ash (caustic). Used to soften liquids intended for household and household needs - 2 tsp. for 11 liters. This liquid cannot be used for food purposes.
• Citric and acetic acid, lemon juice. Natural food reagents that help soften and oxidize water. Used to remove scale from dishes and when rinsing hair. The optimal concentration is 1 tbsp per 2 liters of water. l. acetic acid, 1 tsp. citric acid or lemon juice.
• Synthetic reagents in tablet and powder form. Increased hardness can be eliminated with special chemicals designed for dishwashing or washing equipment.

The disadvantages of this method include:

• the need to maintain the exact dosage of each reagent;
• maintaining storage conditions for special products - caustic soda and synthetic softeners at home in accordance with the manufacturers' recommendations. The exception is food reagents - soda, vinegar and citric acid.

Reducing hardness with filter systems

How to make water soft if it is obtained from a well or a well built next to the house?

• Jug type filters. This is the most popular way to purify and soften tap or well water. This is the name of a filter that looks like a jug equipped with a carbon cartridge for cleaning. The small volume of the container allows you to filter from 1 to 4 liters of water in one cycle. Hard water purified with a pitcher filter acquires not only softness, but also a specific taste. The frequency of cartridge replacement is every 2 months.
• Ion exchange units. Such filter systems are represented by two containers equipped with special filters based on ion exchange resins and saline solution. First, hard water enters the reservoir with resins, and then enters the container with brine solution. Why does the liquid lose its hardness in this case? Because it is saturated with sodium, which gradually displaces magnesium and calcium salts.
• Reverse osmosis system. This is the most effective way to clean and soften liquid. The installation is equipped with a special membrane filter that creates operating pressure inside the chamber. Thanks to this, hard water is completely purified from foreign impurities, which means it becomes soft.

You can solve the problem of increased water hardness on your own; it is enough to apply effective methods in practice or introduce a unique proprietary technique.

The increased content of magnesium and calcium salts makes water hard. It becomes dangerous for household appliances, has a bad effect on clothing, and excess calcium and magnesium causes problems in the body. Therefore, it is important to soften the water. They do this using filters or folk remedies- the choice depends on the level of rigidity and personal choice. Most effective methods and methods are described in our article.

Water hardness: causes and consequences

Such useful free, chemically bound calcium and magnesium become a problem for humans and household appliances. Often they are accompanied by pests such as phosphates and chlorides.

Interesting fact: Not only tap water, but also natural water is rarely soft. The mineralization of ground and river waters varies depending on the area and time of year. Very soft water feeds Baikal.

Signs and consequences of hard water:

• whitish stains remain on things and dishes after drying;
• clothing and other textiles become hard, prickly, colors quickly fade, fibers lose their natural elasticity;
• detergents (washing powder, soap, shampoo) do not form foam well and are less effective;
• contaminants are difficult to dissolve and wipe off;
• over time on dishes, pots and household appliances a layer of scale forms; when the layer becomes thick, flakes begin to clog internal filters and mechanisms;
• irritation appears on the skin, it becomes dry, withers, and ages faster, so hard water is not suitable for bathing children, especially babies under two years of age;
• hair loses its shine, becomes dull and stiff, even to the point of falling out;
• Not in the best possible way hard water also affects the health of the genital organs, especially the female ones - you should not take baths with such water, it is better to limit yourself to a shower;
• finally, calcium and magnesium ions, accumulated in excess in the body, negatively affect the functioning of the urinary and reproductive systems, and the liver.

Interesting fact: Soft water has no taste; if you’re not used to it, it’s hard to even get drunk. And very hard water has a pronounced bitter taste.

Traditional methods

There are several ways to soften water, they all have their advantages and disadvantages:

• boiling,
• freezing,
• distillation,
• upholding,
• multiple filtering.

The most popular and simple methods are boiling, freezing and settling. Let's talk about them in more detail.

Boiling

High temperatures destroy pathogenic bacteria and convert impurities into sediment and carbon dioxide. However, an ordinary electric kettle will not work here.

How to properly soften water by boiling:

1. Fill an iron kettle or pan and place over high heat.
2. As soon as the water boils, reduce the heat to low and keep the water on it for 50 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and let sit for 24 hours, or preferably longer, to allow the metals to precipitate.
4. Strain the purified water through several layers of gauze.

Disadvantages of this method:

• the most obvious thing is labor and time consumption; in 50 minutes you can forget about the kettle;
• due to plaque, the dishes will have to be cleaned or changed all the time;
• long-term boiling removes useful components and oxygen from water, therefore it cannot be used for watering plants, and it should not be boiled again;
• after such treatment, water becomes tasteless, and in large quantities it harms the digestive system.

Freezing

Freezing and further defrosting is one of the most effective, simple and safe ways soften and purify water. This is explained simply: some harmful compounds freeze later, while others freeze earlier than water.

Advice! The best melt water is spring or well water, but tap water will have to be settled or filtered before freezing.

Softening hard water by freezing:

1. Pour water into a glass jar or food-grade plastic container and place it in the freezer.
2. After half an hour, remove the ice that formed first (it contains harmful compounds).
3. When 80-90% of the water becomes ice, drain the remaining liquid (it contains the main bouquet of salts and harmful impurities).
4. Thaw the ice at room temperature, covering with gauze or a loose lid. It is also permissible to defrost the ice in the refrigerator - for example, by leaving it overnight.

In water purified in this way, useful components and oxygen are preserved. It is suitable for baby food and watering plants. However, it is not worth holding for a long time and, accordingly, cooking in large portions. 1-5 liters is enough. The fact is that after 24 hours all the benefits of melt water disappear, and the biological activity lasts even less, only 10 hours.

Advice! Do not boil water before freezing, as under the influence of high temperature its structure is disrupted and its biophysical and biochemical characteristics deteriorate.

Advocacy

This method is ideal for large volumes of water, and summer residents and gardeners are best familiar with it. The idea is to fill a tank or bottle, cover it with an awning or gauze to protect it from debris and insects, and leave it for a day or longer. Like melt water, settled water does not lose oxygen and its structure. However, it is not suitable for drinking - only for watering plants. The biggest danger is the proliferation of microorganisms. To avoid this, place a silver earring or ring at the bottom of the bottle (of course, this does not make sense in the case of a 400 liter tank).

The settled water can be drunk if boiled first.

Natural softeners

There are natural water softeners that have been used centuries ago:

1. Place 100 g of peat in a fabric (canvas) bag, lower it into a bucket of water and leave for 24 hours. Water purified in this way is optimal for watering plants.
2. Flax decoction softens bathing water. For one liter of boiling water, take four teaspoons of flaxseeds, boil for five minutes, then leave for one hour. The decoction is ready. Add it to a bowl of water and start washing.
3. Silicon. Pour 100 g of pebbles into ten liters, cover with gauze on top and leave in the shade for two or three days. You can only use the top layer of water, since harmful compounds accumulate on the rocks below. Store in a cool place, but the refrigerator is not suitable for this purpose. You should also not boil silicon water, because this will cause it to lose its beneficial properties. After the procedure, wash the stones thoroughly and dry them until the next use.

How to soften the water in an aquarium

In general, fish are not too picky about water. However, there are a number of species that do not tolerate too little or too much salt. It is fundamentally important to know the level of hardness in the previous aquarium habitat. Worse than hardness or softness, scaly pets tolerate changes in the indicator.

It is necessary to decide in advance whether it is necessary to soften the water and carry out the procedure before filling the aquarium:

1. Freezing is the most suitable method. Melt water is not only soft, but also clean, while retaining maximum beneficial properties and a certain amount of salts (up to 3 degrees).
2. Boiling, on the contrary, is not the best option, but it is quite applicable. Its disadvantage is that the water is depleted of oxygen.
3. Dilution with distillate. The distilled water itself is too soft, as a result the fish in it will suffer from a deficiency of minerals, and does not contain the most important element - oxygen. Distilled water is diluted with ordinary tap water. This is the most popular method, although it has its drawbacks. If you want to fill the aquarium with only distilled water, you must first saturate it properly with oxygen and the necessary mineral salts, which are sold in pet stores.
4. Reverse osmosis is suitable if there is a large aquarium in the room, since this method of water purification is not cheap. The method is the most convenient, since the device is connected directly to the water supply and installed directly in the room with the aquarium. However, such cleaning is too radical, so, as in the previous case, aeration and remineralization will be required.

Advice! If you don’t want to bother with softening or install a flow filter, use bottled drinking water ( Not mineral).

Special devices

Modern devices make it easy and convenient to soften the water that pipes deliver to us. Their main division is isolated (stationary, jugs) and flow-through. In addition, filters are divided by device and filler.

Jugs have become extremely popular: they are inexpensive and sold everywhere. The cartridge must be replaced once every month or two, depending on the volume of water passing daily. If the family is large or there are infants, whom you can’t buy in the dirt of the tap, preference should be given to a flow-through model - it will pay for itself quickly enough, especially since it needs to change filters much less often than a jug.

The principle of purification is mechanical filtration, absorption (or absorption), oxidation and ion exchange. The magnetic principle is also applied.

The ion exchange filter is available in three types: a flask with polyphosphate crystals, a cartridge or a regenerative one based on an ion resin. Such filters are characterized by high performance and excellent water softening. During the purification process, magnesium and calcium salts are replaced with sodium. The cartridge and crystals will need to be changed periodically; the regenerative option is not cheap.

The reverse osmosis system operates on complex mechanical filtration and is characterized as the most effective. The idea is that water is forced to flow through a membrane that allows water to pass through and retains salts. Part of the water entering the filter does not pass through the partition and is thrown back into the sewer. Thanks to this mechanism, the membrane is freed from plaque and lasts longer.

Despite all the advantages, the osmotic system also has disadvantages (as mentioned above when we talked about aquariums). Powerful membranes purify water not only from harmful, but also from beneficial impurities. However, modern manufacturers offer various combinations of cartridges that allow you to vary the degree of purification and mineralization.

The magnetic filter is most often used in boiler rooms, but compact models are also available. Under the influence of a powerful magnetic field, calcium salts change their structure and become safer for health and home appliances.

Soft water saves detergents, kettles and steam irons, preserves people's beauty and protects clothes and other textiles. A daily glass of clean water on an empty stomach is the best way to maintain youth and health.