How To Convert Hard Water Into Soft Water On The Cheap (W/O Water Softener System)

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Many households have the problem of hard water, but it can be challenging to figure out the best technique to turn it into soft water. Many individuals are misinformed about the procedure for turning hard water into soft water, including whether it necessitates expensive machinery or is even feasible. In fact, there are a number of safe, efficient, and affordable ways to change hard water into soft water. The key to ensuring that your home has access to clean, soft water is understanding these techniques and why they are crucial. Continue reading to find out more about turning hard water into soft water.

TL;DR

Converting hard water into soft water is an effective way to improve the quality of your drinking water.

  • Softening hard water removes minerals like calcium and magnesium that can cause scale buildup in pipes and appliances.
  • Softening hard water also reduces soap scum, making it easier to clean dishes, laundry, and other surfaces.
  • Using a home water softener system can save money on plumbing repairs and cleaning supplies over time.

By converting hard water into soft water, you can enjoy better tasting drinking water while saving money in the long run!

Water Descalers (Softener Alternative)

Is hard water causing damage to appliances in your home?

Do you want to try some cost-effective ways to make the hard water soft?

If yes, try these three easy methods to convert hard water into soft. We’ll also share with you three products that can help with the same.

3 ways you could benefit from having softer water at home

Almost 85 percent homes in the United States have hard water supplies, whether it is from the city water supply or from a well. However, there are many benefits of having soft water at home. Here is a look at three such benefits.

1. Reduces damage to plumbing and water based appliances

  • Hard water leads to mineral deposits and scale build-up in the plumbing, which can clog the pipes and cause damage to your overall plumbing.
  • Over time, this can reduce the efficiency of these products, especially the ones that require the use of water, such as coffee pot, hot tub, humidifier, kettle and so on.
how to soften hard water

2. Better skin

  • When you wash yourself with hard water, it leaves your skin feeling greasy and soapy, no matter how much you clean up. Not just that, hard water makes it difficult for your products to lather, which means you may end up using more than you actually need.
  • Over time, using too much of product and having a greasy residue on your skin can damage and dry your skin, making it more prone to itching, redness, rashes and so on.
hard water to soft water converter

3. Less chances of razor burn

  • Using hard water to clean your face can increase your chances of razor burn, because it makes it difficult for the razor to glide on the skin. This can also increase your chances of a cut.
  • Even for women, using a razor on other parts of the body can be difficult when you regularly use hard water.
how to soften water naturally

How can you soften your tap water without having to spend a lot on a home water softening system?

1. Using the boiling method

Even though this is one of the easiest and cheapest methods you can try to soften the tap water, remember that this will only work on water that has temporary hardness.

How to use boiling method to turn hard water into soft

  • Fill the pot with water and put it on for boiling. As the water boils, you will notice the impurities forming around the top sides of the pot. You can gradually scoop these out of the water.
  • After the water has boiled, remove it from heat and place it aside. You will see the impurities settle down at the bottom of the pan. You can now strain it through a cloth so that the impurities of the hard water get separated and you get clean and soft water.

2. Using vinegar

While this is also a very easy to use method to turn your hard water into soft, it will only work for laundry and dishwasher.

hard water softener home remedy
  • To make sure that your clothes are safe from hard water in the laundry and there is no mineral build up in the machine, you can add a cup of vinegar to the last cycle of the wash. In addition to removing the mineral build up, it will also soften the fibres in the towels. If you are worried about the vinegar smell in the clothes, add a bit of fabric conditioner.
  • When using the dishwasher with hard water, add vinegar in the rinse-aid dispenser section of the dishwasher. Alternatively, you can add a cup of vinegar at the bottom of the dishwasher when the final rinse cycle begins.

3. Using a water filter pitcher

Not all pitcher filters will have water softening abilities, so make sure you check it out beforehand.

  • A water filter pitcher is a simple device that is shaped like a pitcher, as the name suggests. While it is a very convenient and cheap way of removing some of the impurities from hard water, it is not meant to remove any toxic or biological impurities.
  • You can fill up the water filter pitcher with regular water from the tap and let it sit for as long as it is mentioned in the instruction of the particular product. By the end of this time, the impurities from the water will settle down, so that you get filtered water that is softer.

3 Water Filter Pitcher products that help convert hard water into soft water

1. Aquaphor Water Pitcher Ideal

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The No products found. comes with filter cartridges that will reduce a lot of the harmful impurities that are present in tap water, such as rust, sediments, phenols, mud and even pollen. In addition, it can also remove chloroform, organic chlorine compounds and chlorine. This filter cartridge can also remove metals such as mercury, lead, aluminium, iron and copper. The pitcher is good for 1.2 litres of water.

Pros

Cons

  • Remove rust, sediments, phenols, mud and pollen.
  • Remove chloroform, organic chlorine compounds, chlorine, mercury, lead, aluminium, iron and copper.
  • Good for 1.2 litres of water.
  • ​None as yet.

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2. Adagio Teas Gravitea Water Filter

Adagio Teas Gravitea Water Filter

The Adagio Teas Gravitea Water Filter  works at twice the speed of other competing water filters that are available. It comes with double life filters that help you save money while giving you the best results. This water filter comes with a digital cartridge life indicator that will ensure you know when to replace the cartridge so that your water is always safe. It is safe to be used in the dishwasher and filters up to 50 ounce of water.

Pros

Cons

  • Twice the speed of competing water filters.
  • Double life filters and digital cartridge life indicator.
  • Dishwasher safe. Up to 50 ounce of water.
  • Securing the lid in place can be a challenge.

3. MAVEA 1005772 Elemaris XL 9-Cup Water Filtration Pitcher

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The No products found. is BPA free and uses an advanced filtration system. It does not require pre-soaking and prevents the growth of bacteria. The filters come with micro-screen that reduces any black particles that are released in the pitcher. It can help to significantly bring down chlorine levels along with any other impurities and improves the overall taste and quality of water. The water filtration pitcher also has a smart meter that can measure the amount of hardness in the water, the volume of water and the amount of time for which the filter is being used.    

Pros

Cons

  • BPA free, no pre-soaking, prevents bacteria growth.
  • Reduces black particles released in the pitcher. Reduce chlorine and impurities.
  • Measures amount of water hardness and water volume.
  • Does not have any replacement parts available.
  • The lid can break off.
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Are these methods of softening water actually effective or are you still better off investing in a proper water softening system?

As with most of the water softening methods mentioned above, you can use these devices to soften the hard water in your tap as long as the water is somewhat good for drinking. If you are not sure about the source of your water and feel it may have a lot of impurities or even toxins, it is best to go for a proper water softening system.

Additional Research:

https://www.budgetwater.info/softwateradvantages.htm
http://www.ewaterpurifier.com/guide-how-to-soften-hard-water/
http://www.veribestcleaners.com/node/126
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/home-remedies-washing-dishes-hard-water-104984.html

5 Tips to Converting Hard Water into Soft Water

  1. Install a water softener system in your home. This is the most effective way to convert hard water into soft.
  2. Add a descaler to your plumbing system. This will help reduce the amount of calcium and magnesium in your water.
  3. Use a reverse osmosis filter. This type of filter can remove up to 99% of the minerals that cause hard water.
  4. Install an acid neutralizer. This will help balance out the pH levels in your water, making it softer.
  5. Add a chelating agent to your water. This will bind with the minerals that cause hard water, making them easier to remove.

ALSO: Consider using a magnetic or electronic device on your pipes to reduce mineral buildup!

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About The Author

Joseph Bartley
Editor-In-Chief
Twitter | Crunchbase

Joseph Bartley, also known as the WaterFilterFanatic, is a seasoned content writer who specializes in water filtration and water quality topics. On AllAboutWaterFilters, he has written a range of water filtration system reviews, water health and quality articles, swimming pool, hot tub and aquarium filtration guides, DIY methods to assist people clean their drinking water, and much more. Joseph enjoys spending his time working with the #AllAboutWaterFilters Editorial Team to provide some of the best quality water filtration content available on the web.

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