It’s another beautiful day, the sun is shining brightly and the sky is clear, that’s why you decided to do the laundry. However, what started as a great day ended up in a sour mood when you found out that there is scales formation again in your plumbing system. You also had to double the effort in washing your clothes because the suds from the detergent is hard to remove. Unfortunately, you’re living in an area where hard water is the norm.
Hard water, which makes every soap slippery and slimy after rinsing, is caused by the high concentration of calcium and magnesium ion in the water. According to a study from Extox Net, more than 85% of the United States population has been experiencing problems regarding hard water. Hygiene, food preparation, and other things are affected when the water has a lot of minerals. In this article, the five easy and accessible methods on how to remove calcium from water at home.
How Does Calcium Affect The Water Quality?
The additional minerals from hard water are actually a good addition for you. Calcium makes bones and in the human body healthier and stronger. Meanwhile, Magnesium is effective for curing indigestion. So why would we want to remove these minerals from the water in the first place? The answer is, simply, inconvenience.
With hard water, there would be more soap suds on sinks and bathtubs. Hard water is also the cause of the persistent bathtub rings and spots that form in both the dishes and the shower doors. Dry skin and hair, as well as yellowed clothes caused by the minerals in the water. Hygiene will also be affected, as soap, dirt, and even bacteria trapped from our skin pores are not really removed. If you’re searching for an easy remedy to this problem, use the five methods in the list.
5 Cheap Methods To Remove Calcium In Your Water
1. Washing Soda
If you’re not familiar with Washing Soda, it is a compound that is usually used to make stain removal easier. Most detergents are actually using Washing Soda to make the soap more effective. According to The Spruce, this powder is usually used to treat hard water. This is done by mixing 1/2 cup of the powder in the laundry to remove the calcium and its magnesium content.
Washing Soda works in removing calcium in the water naturally. This is because Washing Soda is a sodium carbonate, which when reacts with calcium ions, will form calcium carbonate precipitate. Meanwhile, Magnesium and Washing Soda form Magnesium Carbonate Precipitate. With this, the ions are removed and the water is softened.
Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=003Uot59SF4&pbjreload=10
2. Vinegar
Vinegar is often used to dissolve the mineral deposit from pipes and faucets. It is also used to erase water stains, which is a nightmare for people who wants spotless tiles. Adding 120mL or half a cup of vinegar before the last rinse cycle will help neutralize the water. Only white vinegar will work in this method. Don’t worry about the vinegar’s strong smell because it will be rinsed away completely after the rinsing cycle. If still in doubt about the smell, you can mix 1.5 drops of essential oil before adding the acid to the laundry.
Read more: https://m.wikihow.com/Soften-Hard-Water-Naturally
3. Boiling
For a simpler way of breaking down calcium and magnesium, as well as to get rid of the unpleasant taste, you can boil hard water before consuming. It’s as simple as filling a kettle or a pot and let the water boil for a few minutes. After this activity, clean the pot or the kettle you used to boil hard water, especially if you used stainless steel cookware to avoid build-ups. Hard water is successfully softened after boiling. If you’re more into technical methods, you can use distillation to completely softened your water.
4. Small Ion Exchange Filter
Using an ion exchange filter is another convenient method of softening hard water. This ion exchange filter is usually found on showerheads and is also effective in remove chlorine and lead from the water. Small ion exchange filters are very cost-effective and convenient when you only want to filter out a small batch of water. Perhaps, if you’re living in a small apartment or if water consumption is not that big, this is a better option than installing a whole water softener system. Filters are available in the kitchen faucet model or via pitchers.
5. Using Water Softener
Water softeners are the most reliable way to remove calcium and magnesium ions from the hard water supply. Although not the cheapest in the bunch, using a water softener is proven effective. It’s also the easiest method because once the softener is installed, you don’t have to do a lot to maintain the machine. All you have to do is to use water and replace the salt if the brine tank is empty. Water softeners work by using a resin that binds calcium ion and releases sodium chloride. This method is also the best one if you’re looking for a home-scale solution.
Conclusion
Hard water is a common problem for the majority of people. The hardest waters in the United States can be found in areas such as New Mexico, Texas, and Southern California. Depending on your intended usage, you can use different kinds of water softeners to remove the hardness of your water supply. However, the best method is still via Ion Exchange Filters. You can buy small ion filters to lessen the cost. But when using in a family setting, a traditional water softener is still the best solution. That’s it for this article. Share this if you learned something new, thank you for reading.
Related Topic: 5 Reasons Why You Should Not Drink Unfiltered Tap Water