What is salts hardness?

Salt hardness is a measure of the concentration of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium, in water. It is expressed in milligrams of calcium carbonate per liter (mg/L) or grains per gallon (gpg). The higher the concentration of dissolved minerals, the harder the water is said to be.

Hard water can cause several problems, including:

* Scale buildup in pipes, appliances, and plumbing fixtures

* Soap scum buildup on sinks, showers, and bathtubs

* Dry, itchy skin

* Dull, lifeless hair

* Difficulty cleaning clothes and dishes

Water hardness is typically classified as follows:

* Soft: 0-60 mg/L (0-3.5 gpg)

* Slightly hard: 61-120 mg/L (3.5-7 gpg)

* Moderately hard: 121-180 mg/L (7-10.5 gpg)

* Hard: 181-300 mg/L (10.5-17.5 gpg)

* Very hard: 301+ mg/L (17.5+ gpg)

The ideal hardness range for drinking water is between 100 and 200 mg/L (6 and 12 gpg). Water outside of this range can cause problems for both human health and plumbing systems.

If you have hard water, there are several ways to soften it, including:

* Using a water softener

* Boiling water

* Adding baking soda or vinegar to water

* Distilling water

If you are concerned about the hardness of your water, you can test it using a home water test kit or have it tested by a water quality professional.