What is hard water and how does it affect you?

Simply put, hard water is water that is high in minerals.  It contains calcium, magnesium, and trace amounts of other minerals.  It is formed when water gets repeatedly filtered through deposits of chalk, limestone, or gypsum, which are mainly made up of magnesium and calcium bicarbonates, carbonates, and sulfates. The higher the amount of magnesium and calcium in water, the harder it becomes.

The Differences between Hard and Soft Water

Hard water is water that is high in minerals, while soft water has a higher concentration of sodium. Here are the main differences between hard and soft water:

• Mineral Content – Rainwater is naturally soft; however, when it runs through the ground, it ends up picking deposits of calcium and magnesium, which makes it hard. This is the main difference between hard and soft water. Soft water is water that is treated to reduce the concentration of these minerals.
• Drinking – Soft water lacks the beneficial minerals that hard water has. Additionally, at times, soft water has a salty taste to it, which makes it unsuitable for drinking.
• Household Chores/Cleaning – While hard water is beneficial for drinking due to the natural minerals, it’s not ideal for cleaning. It tends to leave spots on cookware and dishes, soap and mineral residue in the shower and tap, and also dulls the appearance of the clothes washed with it. Soft water leaves no such residue behind.
• Skin – Hard water tends to dry out the skin and might even result in dry, scaly skin over time. Soft water, on the other hand, will not cause any such harm to the skin.

How to Tell If You Have Hard Water

If you are wondering how to tell if you have hard water at home, here are some typical signs of hard water:

• White, chalky spots or residue on washed dishes – a result of calcium hardness
• Dull and rough-feeling linens and clothes
• Buildup of scale on faucets and unsightly stains on white porcelain
• Flat hair and dry skin – a result of soap residue, as it never completely washes away
• Clogged pipes, leading to low water pressure from taps and faucets

You can also test the hardness of the water in your home by checking its mineral content. According to the hardness standards set by the Water Quality Association, water is deemed as slightly hard when the mineral concentration of grains per gallon (gpg) falls between 1.0-3.5, while it is deemed as hard when the concentration falls between 7.0 and 10.5. If the concentration crosses 10.5, then the water is deemed as very hard.

You can check the concentration of minerals in water by conducting a hard water test at home. Take a clear and clean bottle with a cap, water from your tap, and a basic liquid soap. Fill one-third of the bottle with tap water and add a few drops of liquid soap. Shake it thoroughly for a few seconds. If the water does not lather and only appears to be milky or cloudy, then you have hard water in your home. Soft water tends to produce abundant bubbles on the surface, with clear water underneath.

You can also invest in a water hardness test kit. These kits are easily available online or in home improvement stores. They will allow you to test the hardness of your water, reveal the chlorine, nitrate, or iron content, and identify the level of alkalinity.

The Effects of Hard Water

When hard water is heated, it tends to form solid deposits of calcium carbonate. This scale or residue can significantly reduce the life of expensive industrial equipment as well as your cookware. Additionally, it raises the cost of heating or boiling water on an industrial scale.

The scale buildup also tends to reduce the diameter of water pipes over time, which leads to less water movement and lower water pressure. With hard water, you might end up with clogged pipes, which will add to your home improvement expenses.

With hard water, soaps also tend to leave behind a film of residue on your skin and washed dishes. Hard water tends to diminish the life of kitchenware such as porcelain and glass dishes as well; it leaves spots and scaly, soapy film on washed dishes. This is because soap reacts with calcium in the hard water to form soap scum. What’s more is that it is incredibly hard to form soap lather with hard water, which leads to increased soap usage and expense.

Hard water leaves behind brittle, white scale buildup on taps, showerheads, and water appliances. It tends to leave behind pesky white limescale marks on water heaters and kettles. It also affects the functionality of dishwashers. It reduces the efficacy of key water-using appliances over time, such as washing machines and water heaters. The stubborn and unsightly scale also builds on kitchen and bath fixtures, such as sink, toilet, shower walls, etc.

What’s more is that hard water tends to shorten the lifespan of fabrics and changes the appearance of your clothes and linen. Hard water dulls the appearance of your clothes and towels and other fabrics feel stiff and course. Hard water also tends to have an effect on your skin; it leads to excessively clean and dry skin.

Is Hard Water Bad for Hair Health?

The high concentration of minerals in hard water can cause some damage to your hair health. Hard water causes the scales in your hair to rise up, which creates a coarse, frizzy, and tangled feel and look. It roughens up the texture of your hair, which makes it easy for mineral deposits to stick to your hair and cause mineral buildup in your scalp. This buildup will eventually cause your hair to become weak and it will easily break, which will result in hard water hair loss.

To fight the damage caused by hard water, you can use a chelating or hard water shampoo.  These shampoos are precisely designed to eradicate heavy hard water mineral buildup from your hair. They come with EDTA that targets these minerals and washes them away.

However, use these shampoos once a week as when used too frequently, they will dry out your hair. Also, pair them with a moisturizing shampoo to retain your hair’s natural shine and glow. Alternatively, you can use apple cider vinegar, mixed with soft water, to deal with hard water mineral buildup in your hair.

The Bottom Line

While hard water is good for drinking purposes, it can lead to a lot of expenses over time, such as clogged pipes and ruined appliances and kitchenware. It can also cause damage to your skin and hair.

Water fluoridation is still a common process in many countries, even though there is a constant debate about whether fluoride is good for your health or not. Fluoride is often found in drinking water as it helps to prevent tooth decay. However, fluoride has various side effects and may not be the best option to consume on a daily basis. Read this article to learn more about adding fluoride to drinking water and how it can affect your health.

What is Fluoride?

Fluoride comes from fluorine, an element that is found on the periodic table. Fluoride is a strong mineral that is present in your teeth and bones, but is also found in the air, plants, soil and even rocks. One of the most common reasons fluoride is used is to make teeth stronger. Not only does fluoride protect your teeth from decay but it also helps strengthen the enamel. Fluoride can also prevent cavities.

Since fluoride is essential for your teeth, it is added to public water. However, it is important to keep in mind that extreme exposure to fluoride can result in serious health issues.

Health Risks of Fluoride

Dental Fluorosis

Very low fluoride content is good for your teeth, but if the concentration surpasses 4.0ppm, it can be seriously dangerous for your health. If growing teeth are exposed to high concentrations of fluoride, dental fluorosis can result from a very early age.

In dental fluorosis, specks or white streaks appear on your teeth. These spots don’t affect the health of your teeth, but they play a huge role in discoloration. This is why it is a good idea not to have water that contains fluoride.

Skeletal Fluorosis

Even though fluoride in water is known to make bones strong, too much fluoride can be bad for your bones and can lead to skeletal fluorosis. Over the years, this disease can damage your joints and bones severely. Your bones may thicken, which can increase the possibility of fractures. Over time, skeletal fluorosis can also affect the mobility of your joints.

Thyroid Problems

Too much fluoride consumption can result in thyroid issues since fluoride can directly affect the parathyroid gland. When the parathyroid gland is affected, your bones will lack calcium and the calcium in your bloodstream will increase.

Other Health Problems

Besides bones and teeth, fluoride can also affect various other parts of your body. Too much fluoride can cause adult acne and several other skin problems. It can also cause heart problems like arterial calcification, cardiac insufficiency, high blood pressure and even heart failure.

Extreme exposure to fluoride can also result in reproductive issues like early puberty and even fertility issues later in life. Since fluoride has a direct impact on your bones, it can cause different joint disorders and bone cancer. Too much fluoride can also result in neurological issues like ADHD.

Besides impaired brain development and the risk of cancer, too much fluoride in your water can also result in fluoride poisoning. Fluoride poisoning can result in excessive saliva, seizures, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and muscle spasms. It is important to keep in mind that this will only occur if you consume too much fluoride since fluoride in small amounts can actually be good for your bones and teeth.

How to Remove Fluoride from Water

There are a few ways to remove fluoride from drinking water. Here are some of them:

Reverse Osmosis

If you were wondering how to remove fluoride from water at home, one of the most popular ways is to use a reverse osmosis system. This method is extremely common since it is cheap and effective. Here’s how it works: reverse osmosis uses excessive pressure, which forces the water through a membrane. This membrane only allows water molecules to pass through, which means that fluoride concentration is absent from the water.

This permeable membrane blocks not only fluoride but also other minerals and harmful contaminants. However, it is important to remember that water obtained through this process may have a low pH since it has no chemicals.

Activated Alumina

Another effective way to remove fluoride from your water is by using activated alumina. Activated alumina is also known as aluminum oxide, which can be found in rubies and sapphires. Activated alumina can easily absorb fluoride and other elements like thallium and arsenic. Make sure the water you are purifying has a pH value of 6.5 or lower; otherwise, the aluminum oxide will not be able to absorb any minerals that are present in the water.

Bone Char Carbon / Brimac Char

One of the oldest and effective methods to remove fluoride from water is Bone Char carbon, which is also known as Brimac Char. Bone Char has a very high absorption rate, so it absorbs fluoride and all kinds of elements and chemicals that are present in the water. It has a very rich ionic surface, which makes it a great option for organic and inorganic materials.

A good idea is to use this method for water that is slightly acidic since this will increase the chances of absorption. Bone Char is easily available. It comes in filter cartridges and can easily remove up to 90% of fluoride from your drinking water. Bone Char is a great option to opt for if you want fluoride free water.

Distillation

Another old but effective method is distillation. By the process of distillation, you can remove all kinds of chemicals and contaminants from your water – including fluoride. Distillation works through condensation and evaporation. When the water is heated, the boiling water is condensed on the surface. This condensation is then transferred to a new container where it is free from all elements like fluoride. This water is completely pure and only has H2O.   In short, even though fluoride is used to make your bones and teeth strong, too much fluoride can result in serious health complications. Use the methods mentioned above to remove fluoride from your drinking water.

Chlorine is added to water because it keeps it clean by killing bacteria and germs. It is quite effective since it disinfects the water and makes it pure again. Chlorine is also quite affordable, which makes it easy to use for large quantities of water. These days, thousands of people drink chlorinated water every day. However, according to research, drinking chlorinated water can increase the risk of cancer by 93%. Learn all about drinking chlorinated water and why it is bad for you by reading this article.

Is Chlorine Water Safe to Drink?

Chlorine is useful in disinfecting water, which is why it is a little hard to recognize the harm that it can do to the body if it is consumed in large amounts. Since most water that is consumed by you has a very low concentration of chlorine, there is no cause for immediate concern. However, over time, chlorine can have hazardous reactions so it is best to stop drinking chlorinated water.

Chlorinated water can also smell or taste like bleach, which entirely depends on your chlorine water filtration plant. You may not always be able to control the type of water you drink outside of your house so make sure to drink de-chlorinated water inside the house.

Why is Chlorine Added to Water?

Adding chlorine to water started in the late 19^th century. Chlorine was added to eliminate different kinds of bacteria and germs from drinking water. These germs would further spread diseases like dysentery, typhoid and cholera. When it was discovered that even a small amount of chlorine can completely disinfect water, adding chlorine to water became popular. Today, chlorination is the most popular method of treating water.

Chlorine Health Effects

Consuming chlorine through water can lead to serious side effects. In children, chlorine mostly induces asthma attacks but in adults, it can trigger serious long-term health issues. Here’s how chlorine makes water dangerous: when chlorine is mixed with even a small amount of oxygen (or any organic compound), it releases dangerous by-products like Trihalomethanes. These harmful products can roam freely in the body and can trigger your cells. These by-products are also extremely carcinogenic and if they stay in your system for too long, they can cause serious health complications.

Besides causing cell damage, too much chlorine can also have other effects on your body. It can cause reproductive problems and heart attacks. Constant consumption of chlorine can also seriously damage your immune system and make you more vulnerable to gastrointestinal cancer. Chlorinated water should never be consumed by pregnant women since it can cause heart problems, birth defects and cleft palate in fetuses.

Chlorinated water can also cause an increase in allergies and makes you prone to getting sick easily. This is because chlorine is used to disinfect and kill bacteria in water, but when it is ingested by the body, it does the same to our immune system. A huge amount of chlorine can easily destroy beneficial gut bacteria, which can make you vulnerable to all kinds of diseases. Beneficial gut bacteria protect your body from diabetes, obesity, bowel syndrome, asthma, colorectal cancer and even autism. An unhealthy gut can also cause constipation, bloating, abdominal pain and even diarrhea and gas.

How to Test for Chlorine in Water

There are many ways for chlorination testing. Here are a few:

Using Chlorine Test Strips

Perhaps the easiest method to test the chlorine levels in your water is by using chlorine strips. Just like drug or urine testing, chlorine strips help identify the quantity or presence of chlorine in a substance, in this case; water. You can do this at home – just fill a mug with tap water and dip the chlorine strip in it. Read the strip manual to see how long you need to keep it submerged in the water for accurate results. If the strip changes color according to the chart you have, that means your water contains chlorine.

The benefit of using chlorine test strips is that they are quick to give results, are easily available and are extremely cheap. However, there are better ways to identify chlorine’s presence in water than using test strips.

Using Chlorine Test Solutions

Another way to determine whether you are drinking chlorinated water is by using chlorine test solutions. These come in liquid form in small bottles and can be used very easily. Simply take some water in a mug and add some of this liquid to it. Whatever color it results in, you can use the chart to see whether your water has chlorine or not.

Using Chlorine Testing Tablets

Just like liquid solutions, chlorine testing tablets are very simple to use. Simply fill a small container with some water and then mix the tablet in it. Let the tablet submerge for a few seconds and then use the color test chart to determine whether the water contains chlorine or not. There are four kinds of chlorine testing tablets since they determine different variations of chlorine, so make sure to know which one will help you the most. DPD1 helps you determine whether the water has residual chlorine, DPD2 will tell you if there is any monochloramine present, DPD3 is made for combined chlorine and DPD4 helps determine total chlorine.

How to Get Chlorine Out of Water

After you have made sure that your water does have chlorine, the next step is to remove chlorine from the water. There are a few simple ways to do that. You can fill a huge container with water and then leave it open for 24 hours. This way, all the chlorine will automatically evaporate from the water. You can also boil the water to remove chlorine. However, the most effective way to remove chlorine from water is by filtering your water before you drink it.

It is essential to know if your water is chlorine-free before drinking it. Chlorine is harmful for your health if it is consumed in large amounts. You can use the methods mentioned above to test for chlorine in water and remove it accordingly.

It is necessary to drink water if you want all the cells in your body to function properly. Even though most people are aware that staying hydrated throughout the day is essential for them, many do not know the type of water that they are consuming. Since there are several types of water, it can get a little confusing to pick the right one for yourself. Read this article to learn more about distilled vs. spring water and which one is the safest for you and your family to consume.

Distilled Water vs. Purified Water vs. Spring Water

Distilled Water

Distilled water is obtained through the process of distillation. Water can contain many impure or toxic substances, like metals and other inorganic minerals, and contaminants. Since water has a lower melting and boiling point than these minerals, water simply turns into steam through the process of distillation and leaves behind the impure materials. The steam is then captured, contained and cooled, resulting in distilled water. The pH of distilled water should be 7, but since distilled water absorbs carbon dioxide from its surroundings, it becomes slightly acidic and has a pH of 5.8 to 6.

Distillation is not completely safe. Since distillation entirely depends on boiling the water and turning it into steam, it is important to note that various toxic compounds may still be found in water. All of these components and compounds have varying boiling points and while some might stay behind while the water evaporates, some might have a lower boiling point than water. This means that as the water heats up, these toxic compounds boil off with it. This is why distillation can never be the only way to purify water since it doesn’t remove all the toxins. You will have to use other purification methods. Plus, through distillation, you get rid of all the important minerals that your body needs.

Purified Water

Purified water is a term that means purifying water through some method, for instance, filtration or reverse osmosis. Water is purified to remove all the pathogens, impure chemicals and pollutants that can be hazardous for your health. Purified water has a very low level of impurity and can be used as tap water, not bottled water. It is safe to be consumed by humans and animals since it does not contain any harmful compounds that may become a health risk. Purified water also does not have a taste that can be a result of chemicals, organic matter or even metallic plumbing.

Purified water is produced by using tap or groundwater. It is essential to keep in mind that the process of purification does not remove microbes. One of the most common ways to purify water is by using the carbon filter and the reverse-osmosis water filter unit. This will allow the filters to collect only the pure water molecules through the use of a permeable membrane and all the toxic compounds will simply be filtered out. Purification and filtration systems that do not require the carbon filter can be installed in restaurants and even homes.

Spring Water

Unlike distilled and purified water, spring water comes from naturally occurring springs. Spring water rises from an underground basin to the surface. This water is completely natural and is usually found in mountains and valleys. Spring water is mostly found in areas that have a lot of rocks. One of these rocks is limestone, which has a soft texture and allows water to pass through it. Spring water is only produced when there is a lot of water underground, which allows some of it to rise above the ground.

When the water is rising through the rocks, it is naturally filtered. The water that rises is clear and contains various healthy minerals since it is completely clean and pure. Many people prefer drinking it as is but spring water can also contain harmful compounds or particles. Some spring water may also be different in color and should not be consumed without being purified. Bottled spring water needs to be passed through a filtration process before it is consumed. Unlike purified and distilled water, spring water still contains all its natural minerals even after it is filtered, which means your water will never taste unpleasant or have any sort of smell. Spring water has all the minerals your body needs to stay healthy and can be consumed by children and adults.

Distilled Water vs. Spring Water— Which One Should You Choose?

Since spring water comes from an underground source, it is not always purified. It may sound appealing to buy spring water from the store, but distilled water is a much better option than spring water since it has many health benefits.

Distilled water is known for its rigorous filtration process, which removes most of the harmful compounds and contaminants that may previously be in it. Another great thing about distilled water is that you can carry out the distillation process at home, which makes it economically beneficial. Unlike spring water that is not the best to consume, distilled water is pure and has the least carcinogenic chemicals. The only drawback of distilled water as opposed to spring water is that it may lack minerals that you may need.

Distilling your own water is better than buying distilled bottle water since it may not be pure since it is purified in huge amounts in different industries. Distilling water at home also means that your water is fresh as compared to store bought distilled water, which may be sitting in bottles for days or even weeks. It is not the best idea to drink old distilled water since it can easily be tainted by unpleasant odors and its taste can change.   Home-distilled water is the best choice as it contains the least harmful chemicals or compounds. It is best to drink distilled water because it gives you several health benefits and is affordable.

Water is essential for your body and keeps you hydrated. While many people know the benefits of drinking water, what they don’t know is that there are different types of water, with varying pH levels. A common type of drinking water is alkaline water. To know more about alkaline water and how it can be produced, read ahead.

What is Alkaline Water?

Alkaline water is basically water that has a pH of over 7. For example, if water has a pH of 7 or below, that water is acidic, but if it is between 7 or 14, it is alkaline.

Compared to normal drinking water, alkaline water has a higher pH level and this is why some people believe that alkaline water is good for your body since it can neutralize the acidity.

What Are the Benefits of Drinking Alkaline Water?

Drinking alkaline water has several benefits. Here are a few:

It Increases Bone Health

According to research, alkaline can have an effect on bone resorption. This is the process where old bone cells are replaced by new bone ones. Alkaline water can decrease bone resorption, which can increase bone strength and also increase the mineral density in your body.

Acidic water can have a direct impact on your bones and can make them weak overtime. However, alkaline drinking water can prevent your bones from getting brittle and weak. Alkaline water is also known to regulate the pH in your body, which can prevent several diseases.

It Helps With Chemotherapy

Alkaline water does not have any effect on the cancerous cells in your body, but it can greatly help with chemotherapy. Alkaline water is known to enhance the drugs that are used in chemotherapy, which can increase their effect on your body.

It Prevents Acid Reflux

Acid reflux occurs when the acidic contents in your stomach are brought up the food pipe. Most people that suffer from acid reflux know that it can cause serious damage over time. It can give you other gas reflux diseases, which can make it hard to digest various things. Alkaline water is a good way to combat acid reflux since it can stop enzymes that are connected to reflux disease. Alkaline water can also decrease the acidity in your stomach.

It Helps With Blood Pressure and Diabetes

Alkaline water has a direct impact on blood sugar, blood lipids and blood pressure. Consuming alkaline water can reduce high blood pressure and blood sugar in your body and prevent the chances of diabetes. People who have been suffering from high blood pressure for a long time can see drastic results in no time since alkaline water is extremely beneficial for their blood.

Other Benefits

Alkaline water is also known to have anti-aging properties since it contains liquid oxidants that are quick to absorb into the human skin and body. This way, your skin stays hydrated for longer, allowing it to stay healthy and wrinkle free for longer. It can also make your skin shinier and more radiant.

Alkaline water is good for your immune system since it regulates the pH and makes sure that the contents of your stomach do not get too acidic. Besides that, alkaline water can also help with weight loss.

Furthermore, alkaline water has detoxifying properties, so it is a good cleanser. It is known to be a colon cleanser, which can improve your bowel movements and make your body feel healthy and rejuvenated.

Recommended Daily Intake

Alkaline water is good for you and is known to have no serious side effects. However, when you first start drinking alkaline water, make sure to start with a low intake since it will keep the harmful effects to a minimum. You can gradually increase it as time passes by.

How to Make Alkaline Water

There are many ways to make your own alkaline water. Here are some methods:

Use Baking Soda

Adding baking soda to your water is one of the most common ways to make it alkaline. Baking soda has a pH level of 9. Simply add 1/8 tablespoon of baking soda in a glass full of water. Make sure to shake or stir thoroughly until the baking soda is completely immersed in the water. Before drinking, keep in mind that baking soda has sodium, which may give an aftertaste to your water that you may not enjoy.

Furthermore, be careful when drinking baking soda water while you are on medication— it could have an impact on how certain drugs are digested.

Try an Alkaline Water Filter

Another way to make your water more alkaline is by using an alkaline water machine. This water filter machine comes in a jug, so you don’t have to do much. Simply pour the water in the jug and as soon as the water passes through it, the filter will make it alkalized. Every time you pass it through the filter, the water will become more alkalized so be careful.

Besides making the water alkalized, the alkaline water filter also reduces chlorine in the water and removes all impure materials from it. This filter also improves the taste and the smell of the water. These filters are also extremely affordable and easily available.

Use a Water Ionizer

Perhaps the most efficient and quick way to make alkaline water is by using a water ionizer. This machine uses electrolysis to separate positive and negative electrodes, allowing acidic and alkaline water to separate from each other. The water ionizer works quickly and is always effective. This machine is a much better option than store brought water since it will help you save money and produce your own alkaline water right at home.

In conclusion, alkaline water has a lot of benefits for your body and is a much better option than normal drinking water. It can also be easily produced, which can help save costs. If you want to try alkaline water, you can make your own using the methods mentioned above.