Scale, Clogs and Higher Costs

The low water pressure is just one sign that hard water is at work. White scale may appear on your faucets and in your shower, and that same build-up is clogging your pipes and building up in your water heater. And with scale comes higher costs; water-using appliances become less efficient, using more water. For example, hard water uses up to 29 percent more energy to heat your water. And the lifespan of those appliances decreases by up to 50 percent. That means you have to replace those appliances more often.

Battling Water Woes Saves Money

An easy solution to banish hard water comes in the form of a water softener, which removes hard water minerals from your water before it flows to your pipes and fixtures, reducing scale buildup.
And it costs you less in the long run. A home that is affected by hard water spends an estimated $1,280 in laundry detergents, bath and kitchen soaps, lotions and household cleaners. But with a water softener, those annual costs plummet to an estimated $730. That’s a 40 percent savings.

Temporarily Tackling Hard Water

So that brings us back to the soap-in-the-eyes issue. The inside of your pipes may stay clogged, so the water pressure will remain an issue, but you can temporarily tackle the scale. Try a homemade cleaner comprised of 50-50 solution of distilled water and vinegar will spot treat scale buildup from hard water problems. Put baking soda and distilled water together for a slightly more powerful scrub. Lemon juice can also help temporarily clear those hard water deposits.

Permanent Burning Eyes Fix

For a more permanent solution to those burning eyes, try a Whirlpool water softener. With an easy step-by-step tool, you can determine the best water softening solution for your in-home water needs.

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We highlight the 3 different telltale signs you need a new water softener for your home.

It’s easy to forget about your water softener and get stuck in the bi-monthly regiment of filling it with more salt without wondering how old or how long the system will last.

Water softeners start to decline and become less effective after 10 years. Here are 3 signs that you need a new water softener.

Sign No. 1: Dirty Dishes and Itchy Skin

Your dishes are spotty after you clean them, your skin is itchy and soap scum is collecting quicker than usual in sinks. These are all signs that you have hard water. And if you have hard water, your water softener isn’t working as it should.

The problem is your system isn’t regenerating softer water like it used to because it’s old and worn down over years of reliable use.

Sign No. 2: Your Water Softener Is Old

You have a timer-based water softener. These systems regenerate on a schedule you set over a decade ago. Newer systems regenerate soft water based on when you need it — this is called “demand initiated” regeneration. This is ideal because it works on an “as needed” basis.

Sign No. 3: Your System Is Bulky

Your system is bulky and taking up too much space. If you have a twin tank system, your softener is taking up too much room. A single cabinet-system is Demand Initiated and takes up less space, making it an efficient option for your home.

Newer systems also include low salt indicators, enhanced iron removal and water use monitoring, making maintenance and management a breeze.

If these signs are apparent for your water softener and you want to test your water, use a simple test tool so you can find your hard water number. If you know your number and want a new system, you can browse a selection of water softeners by going to EcoPureHome.

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For all the benefits that softer water offers your home, there are still false beliefs about what it does to your water. In this video, we bust those myths.

Myth No. 1: Water softeners make your water salty and add sodium to your diet.

This is false. There are only about 20 milligrams (mg) of salt found in an 8-ounce glass of water. That’s equal to a few grains of table salt. There are approximately 2,300 mg of salt in a teaspoon, 59 mg of salt in an egg and 120 mg in a glass of milk. Water softeners do not alter the taste of your water or impact your daily diet.

Myth No. 2: Water softeners remove important minerals from your drinking water.

This is false. Water softeners only get rid of minerals your body cannot absorb such as magnesium and calcium. After water is softened, no nutrients are lost that will benefit your health.

Myth No. 3: Water softeners are expensive to operate in your home.

This is false. Your water softener will cost you $10/year on your electric bill — that’s the same as it takes to run your alarm clock. Water softeners can actually save you up to $800/year by extending the life of your fabrics, reducing the amount of soaps and cleaning product you use and improve the performance of appliances such as your dishwasher and washing machine.

To learn more about where it will save you, check out our “The Impact of Hard Water on Your Wallet” video.

The new water softening systems that you can find on EcoPureHome only use 6-8 bags of salt per year — that’s nearly half of the salt it used to take on older systems.

If you’re having troubles finding the right water softener solution for your home, use our water test tool and find what you need.

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Painful shave

Does your shaving cream fail to protect your delicate skin when shaving? Chances are that hard water is making this daily routine a painful chore. Hard water minerals such as calcium and magnesium react negatively with the ingredients in your products. As a result, you don’t get the rich lather you desire and may feel the need to use more product (which quickly becomes expensive). Additionally, hard water minerals prevent your razor from gliding easily over skin, leading to painful cuts and bumps, as well as quickly dulling the blade. By softening your water, you’ll go through your razors at a slower rate, saving you money.

Dry, tangled hair

Hard water causes difficult-to-manage, dry, and tangled hair after washing. The same minerals that build up on your shower doors build up on your hair shaft, making it rough and harder to rinse the soap from. This results in product buildup on your tresses, making them dull, lifeless and hard to style. Water with large amounts of iron can also cause orange, brassy or even a greenish tint to your hair, stripping it of its healthy properties. Some short-term remedies for these hair headaches include a clarifying rinse like apple cider vinegar (ACV) or a chelating shampoo, but they won’t permanently solve your hard water hair woes.

More time spent cleaning

Hard water problems go beyond the bathroom by also affecting the time it takes you to wash dishes and the effort it takes to scrub scale buildup from faucets and shower doors. Products don’t work as efficiently as they should, so you may notice a lack a soapsuds and a constant need to reapply soap to your sponge, increasing your cleaning time by up to 50%.

The softening solution

While there are short-term fixes to restore lather to your daily cleaning and grooming routine, you’ll never truly solve your hard water problems until you soften your water. Soft water will not only fix your lather troubles, but will work around the clock to prevent other hard water issues such as spotty dishes, embarrassing stains, scale buildup on your fixtures and scummy shower walls. Find out if you have hard water by taking our free test. Then, find the best water softener for your home with a Whirlpool Water Softener.

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Water softeners and septic tanks—who knew that the two are linked? For homes that have a septic system and use a water softener, it’s been shown that efficiently operated water softeners pose no problems to septic tank performance.[1] Additionally, over half of homes with a septic system also have a water softener.

But wait. What, exactly, is an efficiently operated water softener and how could it improve septic performance? Let’s take a look at the nature of a septic tank and how a water softener fits in.

Septic systems at a glance

Using a septic system is common for households in rural areas without centralized sewer systems. This system treats wastewater from the bathrooms, kitchen drains and laundry. Septic systems have four basic functions:

• Receive wastewater
• Separate solid materials from the wastewater
• Provide partial treatment of wastes
• Release treated wastewater into drain fields

These functions work in tandem to provide an effective solution to wastewater management.

A water softener’s impact

Water softeners come in two types: demand-initiated regeneration (DIR) and timer-based systems. A demand-initiated water softener uses your water usage and average water hardness to determine when to regenerate (versus a predetermined timeframe that may or may not be accurate) and is considered a more efficient model that conserves water, energy and salt use. It’s also the best system for homes with septic tanks. Here’s why:

1. The amount of water discharged by a DIR system is equivalent to a load of laundry and is easily within the limits of what a septic system can handle. And because a DIR softener only regenerates when needed, the system is not overloaded with softener backwash.

2. The discharged solution of a DIR system has a greater ratio of calcium and magnesium ions to sodium. Larger amounts of calcium and magnesium can actually help improve the time it takes for treated wastewater to be absorbed in the drain fields.

3. Water softeners also help homeowners use up to 50% less soap and reduce overall water usage, which reduces the overall load on the septic system significantly.

Helping your home inside and out

Septic systems are one of those household systems that just magically seem to operate (hey, out of sight, out of mind). However, there are factors that can impact their ability to run efficiently and cleanly. An undersized septic tank or excessive use of cleaning products is more likely to disrupt the normal operation of your system than a water softener. If your home currently has a water softener, consider the regeneration style (DIR or timer-based) and age of the water softening system—it may be time for an upgrade. Timer-based water softeners and systems that are between 10 and 15 years old are generally considered outdated and past their prime.

With an easy step-by-step tool, you can determine the best water softening solution for your in-home water needs, with the added bonus of improving the efficiency of your septic system.

[1]Based on research conducted by scientists at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the National Sanitation Foundation, and the Water Quality Research Foundation.

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Crusty White Buildup
White crust on faucets and showerheads and cloudy glass on shower doors are telltale signs of hard water. Hard water minerals (calcium and magnesium) are to blame for these bathroom nuisances, causing flaky buildup and inability to fully rinse away soap and cleaners. A water softener removes the excess calcium and magnesium from your water, keeping faucets sparkling and eliminating the problem before the water is even plumbed throughout the house.

Damaged Appliances
Appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, coffee makers and water heaters are cornerstones of the home and see a lot of use. They also rely heavily on the use of water for proper functioning. If hard water is being plumbed to these appliances, scale can build up in the pipes and within the systems themselves. Because of that, there will be reduced water flow to your refrigerator, and your dishwasher will no longer clean dishes as effectively. A thick layer of lime scale may even build up in your water heater, making it less efficient. And that morning cup of coffee that you love so much may taste worse or take longer to brew. In addition to costly damages, the lifespan of these appliances can be reduced by 30 to 50 percent with hard water. A water softener will minimize the need for costly repairs or premature replacement.

Stiff, Discolored Laundry
The minerals found in hard water deposit themselves onto fabrics, which cause discoloration and stiffness. Laundry detergent does not activate and perform well when used with hard water, which minimizes its effectiveness unless you add more soap to the wash cycle. This quickly becomes costly and wasteful. Soft water will allow you to use less laundry detergent while getting cleaner, brighter and softer results.

If using soft water sounds like a good New Year’s resolution for your household, there’s no better time to find the water softening system for your home. Everyone and everything will benefit—and it will be the easiest resolution you’ve ever made.

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You know that water softeners eliminate several headaches around your home—from spotty dishes and stiff laundry to costly appliance repairs. But a common question is whether a softener will also remove important minerals from your water that you and your family need to stay healthy.

Happily, this is not a concern for water softener owners, and here’s why:

1. The minerals found in your tap water are in a form that your body can’t properly digest. If you’re looking to add key vitamins and minerals to your diet, it is more important to focus on the food you eat. A well-balanced meal plan will provide the daily dose of nutrients you need to stay healthy. If you’re concerned about your intake, consider adding a multivitamin or supplement.
2. Water softeners are designed to capture and remove specific minerals (magnesium and calcium) from your water. This process gets rid of the home-damaging hardness minerals and leaves minerals like fluoride (which helps prevent tooth decay) intact.

Not only will a water softener eliminate white, crusty buildup, scum rings in your tub, and spotty dishes, it won’t remove any essential nutrients from your water either. To give your home the gift of good “health,” start by getting a free water test to help you evaluate your water and find the best softening solution for your home.

The post Myth: I’m losing “good” minerals from my water appeared first on HomeWater 101.

Hard water can give you spotty, filmy dishes, but you may not be aware that it also affects your cooking and baking. Here are 3 reasons to use filtered water and how it gives a boost to your kitchen creations:

1. Purified Taste

Chlorine and impurities can infiltrate your home’s tap water at any time, making for a foul odor and taste pouring out of your kitchen’s faucet. Using filtered water can eliminate the bad taste and smell.

The undesirable taste can be detrimental to your food prep. When your water smells bad, the foul odor and taste can latch on to the fruits, vegetables and cooked pasta you’re washing in the sink.

If you’re cooking bigger dishes with pasta or rice, you’ll start to notice a creamier texture to your food when you use filtered water. A filter can cleanse your water, remove the bad taste and leave you with overall better tap water.

2. Bake Better Bread

An entire meal can be ruined if your baked goods turn out poorly. Even if you followed directions word-for-word, triple-checked the measurements and actually placed the rack in your oven correctly, they can still turn out incorrect. Don’t be hard on yourself — it’s your water’s fault.

Minerals such as calcium, magnesium and chlorine that find their way into your home’s water affect the performance of ingredients like yeast. The minerals in your water change the gluten structure of dough, impeding the fermentation process.

Filtered water stops the issue at the faucet. Using cleaner water will lead to improved baked treats.

3. Bright and Festive Food

Washing your vegetables after you buy them is always a smart idea. But are you starting to notice your fresh produce losing color after every wash? Chlorine in your water could be the reason.

Like bleach, chlorine strips color away from whatever it comes in contact with. If there are high levels of chlorine in your water, your vegetables could be in danger.

But fear not. Filtering your water from excessive levels of chlorine will solve the issue. Keep your vegetables looking vibrant and delicious with a home filtration system.

If you’re making multiple dishes for the holidays, be sure to use filtered water. It’s as easy as installing a 2-in-1 whole home filtration and water softener system. This will make your water chlorine free while providing great taste that is optimal for cooking.

View our water checklist to learn more about choosing the right system for you and your family.

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Cleaning for the holidays can really be a chore. Between shopping and cooking, you don’t have time to spend countless hours scrubbing to get your home presentable for guests. The key to easier cleaning with fewer chemicals this holiday season? A water softener.

Installing a water softener removes hard water minerals from your water before it flows to your pipes and fixtures, reducing scale buildup and cleaning stress prior to friends and family visiting. Here are some areas of your home that can benefit from soft water:

Spotty Dishes

Do you pull spotty, filmy glasses, pots and pans from the dishwasher or drying rack? Although the dishes are clean, the spots can be embarrassing, especially if guests think they are being served with dirty dishes. Soft water keeps dishes and glassware sparkling, because hard water minerals are removed before water flows through the faucet and dishwasher. Your detergents can work more efficiently, and you’ll need less soap to get the job done.

Filmy Showers and Faucets

One of the most frustrating places to clean in the home is the bathroom. Not only do you have to scrub the white scale buildup from faucets, but you also have to deal with the dreaded spots on shower walls and doors and staining in the toilet bowl. While there are great temporary fixes for this buildup, including vinegar, chemicals, and fabric softener sheets, you’ll spend less time and money on chemicals by solving the core problem with a water softener.

Stiff Laundry

If you have guests spending the night, you don’t want to offer them scratchy sheets, blankets and towels. The stiffness of these fabrics is likely a result of your water, not the laundry detergent you use. If you have hard water, minerals deposit themselves onto your fabrics, making it difficult for your detergent to activate and do its job. Having to use more detergent than needed quickly becomes costly and wasteful.

If you are frustrated with the effort and money it takes to address the effects of hard water in your home, try installing a water softener to prevent hard water problems. You can easily find the best solution for your home before the holidays with our shopping checklist. Spend that time with family and friends instead of cleaning!

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Spotty Stemware

Holiday dinner tables gleam when you set out your best stemware—as long as they’re spot-free. To remove hard water deposits, soak your glasses in two cups of warm vinegar (preferably white vinegar) for approximately three minutes. Give them a quick rinse and dry with a lint-free towel to eliminate the potential for the spots and streaks to return.

Clogged Showerhead

Frustrated that instead of a steady, powerful spray, your guests will shower under a slow drip? One of the best defenses in your war on mineral deposits may be sitting in your kitchen cupboard. Pour white vinegar into a small, plastic bag or a shower cap. Pull the bag over the showerhead, secure with a rubber band and leave on overnight. Your showerhead will be clean and look like new—with no scrubbing needed.

Rust Stains

Want to tackle rust before it becomes a major problem? The chemicals in commercial products provide a powerful solution for eliminating scale buildup and rust stains left behind by hard water. Although this solution may be more expensive and contain harsh chemicals, commercial products offer a ready-made, powerful solution for temporarily removing rust stains.

Faucets

If you want to maintain a sparkling, spot-free faucet, squeegee or wipe down the surface after you’re done using it with a squeeze of lemon. Like vinegar, the acidity of lemon juice dissolves the hard water minerals deposited on water fixtures. Let the lemon juice sit for 10 minutes, then simply rinse and wipe dry.

Bathtubs

There’s nothing worse than stubborn spots in your tub. A homemade remedy can temporarily cut through the minerals left behind by hard water. Create this easy remedy by mixing a 50-50 solution of distilled water and vinegar to spot-treat scale. After you apply the solution with a spray bottle, let it sit a couple minutes before wiping clean. To create an even more powerful scrub, combine vinegar with baking soda and smear it on the spots. Let it sit for 15 minutes, add a little elbow grease if necessary and rinse with water.

Shower Doors

If it’s spot-free shower doors you long for, try rubbing a dryer sheet over the water spots. This solution won’t reverse years of spots, but it may be the perfect fix to reverse a few days of buildup. Since you can use a new or used dryer sheet, get into the habit of wiping down your shower door before you throw the dryer sheet in the trash.

The Permanent Fix

The above tips provide temporary solutions to hard water spots, but won’t fix your hard water problems for good. If you are frustrated with the regular maintenance associated with hard water spots, try installing a water softener before your first guests arrive this holiday season. Installing a water softener is a permanent solution because it filters out the hard water minerals before water flows through faucets and showerheads. The only maintenance required is to replenish the salt supply and conduct regular maintenance checks.

Your holiday to-do list can be overwhelming, but following these tips will keep your home sparkling this season, giving you one less thing to stress about.

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