What is the difference between Hard water and Soft water? - ProProfs Discuss
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What is the difference between Hard water and Soft water?

Asked by G. Cole, Last updated: Mar 24, 2024

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3 Answers

L. Cooper

L. Cooper

Analyst by profession but writer by heart.

L. Cooper
L. Cooper, Data Analyst, MCA, Newcastle

Answered Nov 11, 2020

The main difference between hard water and soft water is that hard water comprises lots of dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium. In contrast, soft water has been treated before coming into our homes. It eradicates all the minerals except sodium. When a waterway passes through calcium carbonates or magnesium carbonates such as chalk or limestone, it becomes problematic.

Hard water has some nutritional value. However, soap is less useful when used with hard water, so people prefer soft water. Soft water has salt, and it might not be safe to drink. People also like to use soft water because hard water can cause plumbing problems and lowers the effectiveness of cleaning agents.

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Corné

Corné

Traveler and writer by profession.

Corné
Corné , College student, MBA, Geneva

Answered Nov 03, 2020

The number one difference between hard water and soft water is the composition of the two types of water. One of the properties of hard water is that it contains too much magnesium and calcium. Although there are also traces of calcium and magnesium in soft water, these minerals are present in a minute quantity. Before hard water comes to the surface, it has already passed through soft rocks which allows it to gather magnesium and calcium in abundance. Soft water contains small portions of calcium and magnesium because it passes through hard rocks before reaching the surface. Because hard water does not lather easily, it usually takes more soap to clean dirt or stains. Another property of hard water is that it creates roughness to the body. On the contrary, soft water does not require a large amount of soap to clean dirt or stains. However, one of the advantages of hard water over soft water is that it has more health benefits.
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Barry Mclean

Barry Mclean

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Barry Mclean
Barry Mclean, Sales Manager, MBA, Ewa

Answered Oct 21, 2020

Hard water is the type of water that comes with a lot of dissolved minerals. The most common minerals that you can find are calcium and magnesium. Some types of hard water will also come with lime and chalk. Soft water is the type of water that has already been treated. Since it has been filtered already, it will not come with the usual minerals that you can find in hard water. The only mineral that you can find here is sodium. There are some people who may have issues with using hard water because they feel that it is making it harder for them to do different chores. For instance, hard water will make it harder for some clothes to be cleaned because the minerals may stop the detergent from being fully absorbed by clothes.
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