What are some ways to treat hard water?

Treatments to make hard water soft include water filters and chemical water softeners. When water contains an abundance of minerals, it is referred to as "hard." These minerals can affect the taste of the water and may cause the water to damage pipes over time.

Water filters may be installed in a central location in a home where the water enters. These filters remove chemicals and minerals from the water, softening it and leaving it safe to drink. Chemical water softeners use a variety of chemicals to remove minerals from the water, but may leave the water fit to use only where it's not consumed, such as for cleaning and washing clothing.