While essential oils, bath salts or bath gels are typically used as a way to soften skin, there may be something preventing these things from bubbling and doing their job – your hard water!

If you find yourself pouring more bath gel into your tub in order to get the adequate amount of bubbles, you’re not alone! An overwhelming 85 percent of the US has hard water, so the likelihood that you live in a state or city with hard water is high. Not only can hard water start costing you more, but it can also contribute to dry skin, razor burn and clogged pores.

When you have hard water, calcium and magnesium react negatively with the ingredients in your products, such as bath gels, leaving fewer bubbles in your tub.

There are a variety of quick fixes you can try to get your bubbles back, but the problem will never be solved completely until you get a proper water softener.

A water softener will not only generate more bubbles, but will maintain the softness of your water throughout the day and night. Hard water can stain your toilets, sinks and water-using appliances as well generate scale in your plumbing and pipes. This slows the performance of water in your home.

We have a free test you can try so you can easily detect if hard water is an issue in your home. Our step-by-step tool can identify the perfect water softener for your home.

Take your bubble baths back from hard water by getting a water softener today.

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Around 85 percent of America has hard water, and it could be putting a damper on your personal beauty routine. Hard water contains high levels of minerals that can clog your pores, causing harm to your skin. So, before you reach for the spooky green clay mask to temporarily calm down the redness in your skin, learn more about hard water effects on skin and how you can permanently fix the problem.

How Hard Water Effects Your Skin

• Soap Scum: The high mineral content of hard water leaves a film leading to clogged pores and breakouts.
• Razor burn: Hard water makes skin more sensitive, which can lead to razor burn and shaving bumps.
• Dry skin: Hard water strips the skin of natural oils, which causes dry skin. People with psoriasis or eczema will often experience increased dryness or irritation.

October is the perfect time to start thinking about changing up your beauty routine. You may be spending hard-earned dollars on cosmetic products to fix the problem rather than fixing the actual problem at hand. The solution to rid your skin of hard water is a water softener.

Installing a water softener will remove the calcium and magnesium in your water and replace it with sodium or potassium. By removing these hard minerals you can eliminate pesky skin problems that could get worse in the winter months. Installing and utilizing a water softener is a great way to prepare your skin for the winter months ahead.

Get some relief and request a free hard water test kit today!

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In 85 percent of North America., hard water and its high mineral content cause deposits, also known as scale, on pipes throughout your home. The more scale, the more problems. Scale constricts the opening in your pipes, reducing the flow and water pressure and decreasing the lifespan of major appliances by up to 50 percent due to the extreme wear and tear. That also means increased maintenance needs.

Additionally, scale buildup from hard water can increase the cost of water energy bills by up to 29 percent. The reduced efficiency of your water heater and other appliances makes them work twice as hard to do their jobs.

What Hard Water is Costing You

Let’s break down the dollars. As you can see, the impact of hard water is not just with your appliances, but also contributes to increased costs for household and personal cleaning supplies. That’s because hard water leaves a hard-to-clean film and scale on bath and kitchen fixtures, shower walls and toilets. You may notice spotty, filmy glasses and dishes, and soap that won’t lather no matter how much you use.

Added Costs with Hard Water

Cleaning and personal care

– 40 percent more or $450/year
• Laundry Detergent: $200
• Bath & Kitchen Soaps: $75
• Lotions: $100
• Household Cleaners: $75

Gas and electric use

– 29 percent more or $60/year

Plumbing and appliances

– reduce repair / replacement costs by 30 – 50 percent or $90/year on:
• Water Heater
• Dishwasher
• Washing Machine
• Toilets
• Faucets

Washable items

– reduces lifespan by 50 percent or $200/year
• Clothing: $125
• Towels: $75

Estimated Annual Cost of Hard Water

: $800/year

Protect Your Valuables

A water softener, which removes the hard water minerals from your water, helps keep your appliances working efficiently, clothing pristine, and your gas bills low.

To get started with a permanent solution, pick up a test strip from your nearest retailer, which will confirm if you have hard water. Once you know that answer, let us help you find the best water softening solution for your home.

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The minerals found in hard water (calcium, magnesium and iron) can distress hair, making expensive products less effective and hair more difficult to manage. This results in less lathering, ineffective cleansing and the inability of conditioners to penetrate the hair follicles.

If you find you are using an extra pump of shampoo and conditioner just to get a little more foam or get that deep condition, you may be washing more than just hair products down the drain.

Price of Hard Water

When the cost of shampoo, conditioner and styling products isn’t feeling worth it because your hair is still dry, limp, dull or unmanageable, you may want to think about investing in a water softener.
By using a water softener, a household can save an average of $450 over the course of a year on shampoo, detergent, soap, and other cleaning supplies.

Broken down, that’s an estimated 50 percent savings on costly products and salon visits.

Average Cost Savings Per Year on Products:

Shampoo – $75
Conditioner – $75
Styling Products – $150
Salon Visits – $125+

Your Wallet Will Thank You

That water softener is a permanent fix that will keep your hair looking vibrant and healthy, with no build-up, while saving you money. It removes those hard minerals before water even gets to your showerhead so you never have to experience dull, limp hair again.
It’s easy to be on your way to softer, healthier hair. Once you’ve tested your water and know your hard water number, you’ll be ready to find the best Whirlpool water softening solution for your needs.

The post Hard Water May Be Damaging Your Hair and Costing Your Wallet appeared first on HomeWater 101.

Assistance may lie with a water softener. It removes hard water minerals, allowing water to effectively clean your skin. Most homes in the United States have hard water.

Here’s how you know if your home – and your skin – can benefit from a water softener.

Razor Burn

As shorts and swimming suits make their summer debut, shaving increases. You may be experiencing increased incidences of razor burn and accompanying shaving bumps. This can be especially painful if your skin is already sensitive from sun exposure. This doesn’t mean you are over shaving, but rather, your water may be hard. A water softener may be the fix your gams need.

Squeaky Skin

Soft, clean skin is one thing, but that dry, squeaky feeling after bathing means hard minerals are stripping your skin of its natural oils. With sunburned skin, you need all the moisture you can get to help your skin heal. Soft water from a water softener naturally helps keep your skin softer.

Clogged Pores

Too much sun can lead to blisters and burns. Heat leads to perspiration, which can also mean oilier skin. If you are seeing more breakouts than normal on your face, don’t immediately blame the sun and heat. Hard water’s high mineral content leaves a film of soap scum on the skin, which can result in clogged pores. The sun and heat will do enough damage. Let your water be your last worry.

Skin-Saving Test

Not sure if you need a water softener? Check out this free and easy test. Test your home water for free. You’ll discover how soft water might be the answer to soothing your skin this summer with a Whirlpool Water Softener from EcoPureHome.

The post Soothing Sun-Ravaged Skin with Soft Water appeared first on HomeWater 101.

From your pipes and appliances to your hair and skin, hard water touches just about everything in your home. Because water is involved in most of your daily routines, the effects of hard water are felt everywhere—your wallet included. In the short term the costs seem negligible, but over the course of a year they add up. Multiply that over a water softener’s lifespan, and you’re well beyond pocket change.

Hard water affects your wallet in four main areas. By using a water softener, a household can estimate these approximate savings over the course of a year:

1. Cleaning and personal care (50% reduction in purchases of soap, lotion, detergent, etc.): $450 saved with soft water
2. Gas and electric use (heat loss due to scale): $60 saved with soft water
3. Washable items (clothes, towels, linens): $200 saved with soft water
4. Plumbing and appliances (repair and replacement): $90 saved with soft water

Total potential savings per year: $800¹

In 365 days, the little things do add up quickly. But hard water also has a big impact on your major water-using appliances. If you have hard water, you can expect to lose 30% to 50% of an appliance’s projected lifespan. Below is a look at the most common appliances and how they’re impacted by hard water.

According to a study completed by the Water Quality Association, by using soft water in your home, you won’t have to replace major appliances as often or pay for costly maintenance visits nearly as regularly.

But I already have a water softener

Like other appliances, water softeners don’t last forever. Age and daily wear and tear take a toll, lessening the softener’s efficiency and contributing to higher household costs over time. If you’re curious about whether you’re due for an upgrade, you can review some common indicators. Otherwise, here are some simple steps to keep your water softener working longer and more efficiently.

¹ Based on data from the Water Quality Association and a comparison of softeners manufactured since 2001.

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