3 Surprising Signs You Have Hard Water

Hard water can really wreak havoc on your home, making your pipes corrode faster than they would normally, making your appliances less efficient, and leaving your house looking less clean that it should. Many homeowners are simply used to having hard water, however, and don't even realize they need a water softener. Here are three surprising signs you have hard water.

Your Clothes Never Seem Clean

Hard water makes it nearly impossible for your washing machine to do its job correctly. This is because the iron deposits in hard water run through the washing machine cycle and attach to your clothes, so they never truly get rinsed out and can even become more stained and dirty after washing them. Washing a load of clothes just to have it come out dirty is maddening, and, unless your washing machine is in serious need of repair, the culprit is most likely hard water.

Your Hair Has Become Frizzy and Dry

If your hair used to be shiny and soft, and now, no matter what type of shampoo and conditioner you use, it's limp, dry, frizzy, and lackluster, then you may have a hard water problem. The mineral deposits in hard water react with shampoo in a way that causes shampoo residue to stay behind in your hair no matter how much you rinse. These same mineral deposits can also dry out your hair, which makes for a double whammy of less than gorgeous locks.

The good news is that once you have a water softener installed, your hair will probably be back to its former glory in no time.

Your Skin is Dry and Uncomfortable

If your skin is sensitive at all, you will probably have a pretty strong reaction to hard water. Hard water dries out your skin, just like it dries out your hair. Studies have even shown that hard water often triggers outbreaks of the uncomfortable skin condition eczema for those who are susceptible. This is thought to be due to a combination of the mineral deposits found in hard water as well as the fact that hard water causes many people to use excessive soap in an attempt to get clean.

If you experience these symptoms of hard water, it's best to call a water softening company for a consultation. Many will test your water for free and then let you know what your best options are. Water softening is affordable and as you can see can have many benefits for your home, as well as your skin, hair, and clothing.