Is hard water giving you trouble by ruining your house’s plumbing and making other chores difficult? Are you looking for a way to soften hard water? Let’s find out if a way to soften hard water is through the use of Epsom salt.
Epsom salt is an effective water softener with a wide range of properties that help in water softening, reducing the pH of the water, and removing mineral stains that are caused due to mineral deposits present in hard water.
Being one of the most effective water softeners, Epsom salt is something that every hard water household must have. In this article we’ll look at a few tips, tricks, and uses of Epsom salt that you can benefit from if you are looking for an effective hard water softener. Keep on reading!
Table of Contents
How Does Epsom Salt Soften Hard Water?
Epsom salt is a naturally occurring mineral salt of magnesium and sulfate. Being in a rock-like formation, it resembles table salt but has a much more bitter taste and is not meant to be consumed.
However, Epsom salt can be used for several different uses while being cost-effective and easily available.
As it’s highly soluble, it dissolves in water and replaces the calcium and magnesium ions that add to the hardness of the water. These ions are replaced by sodium and potassium ions present in the Epsom salt, decreasing the hardness of water and making it softer.
This ion exchange is the key principle behind softening water, and commercial water softeners use the same method.
You just need to be mindful of the amount of Epsom salt you use, as it can alter the water’s taste and other physical properties. Don’t put too much epsom salt right away.
The use of Epsom salt also allows a change in the pH of the water. With a reduced pH value, the water becomes more acidic and softer for use.
How to Use Epsom Salt to Soften Water?
Using Epsom salt will not only help you soften the water supply, but it will also revitalize your experience and lead to a noticeably different feel.
For a lasting effect, one cup of Epsom salt can be used per gallon of water for a significant change in the most cost-effective manner.
Apart from adding salt to the water, various kinds of water softeners can also be installed that use Epsom salt in their filtration method to soften the water and infuse it with the stress-relieving benefits of Epsom salt.
Can Epsom Salt Be Used to Clean Hard Water Stains?
Apart from its use as a hard water softener, Epsom salt can also be used to clean hard water stains. Epsom salt combined with baking soda and water can form a concoction that removes hard water stains from various surfaces.
One of the most effective and low-cost methods to remove hard water stains and mineral deposits, it can clean shower faucets, taps, and even clothes, making them look as good as new.
3 Benefits of Epsom Salt-Infused Water for Daily Use
Epsom salt-infused water has more to it than regular softened water. The peculiar chemical composition of the salt enables it to perform some amazing feats in your daily usage.
Here are three of the most profound benefits:
1. It Helps You Relax
Epsom salt has stress-relieving properties and it allows the body to release stress and tension stored in the muscles.
Dissolving Epsom salt in water may lead to perfuming the water as well as releasing relaxing aromas into the water. This transforms the experience of bathing as it allows the body and mind to relax and rejuvenate.
2. Replenishes Dry Skin
Frequent use of hard water in everyday activities leads to increasingly dry and flaky skin.
Due to the presence of excess minerals in hard water, the mineral ions extract moisture from the surface of the skin, leaving it dry and irritable.
Therefore, adding Epsom salt to hard water not only softens it for use but it also revitalizes the skin and adds to its moisture level.
3. Relieves Muscle Pain and Inflammation
Epsom salt is used to relieve muscle pain and inflammation. The Magnesium present in
Epsom salt is known to relieve headaches and migraines as well as relieving sore muscles. Magnesium is also good for reducing inflammation and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
FAQs
Can Hard Water Lead to Hair Fall?
Due to a high concentration of minerals in hard water, washing your hair with it leaves an impermeable film on your hair.
This mineral film does not allow moisture to reach the water leaving it dry and undernourished. If these issues are left unresolved for a long time, it might lead to eventual hair fall.
Is Hard Water Beneficial for Drinking?
While hard water is not the best to use for your hair, skin and other household chores, it is beneficial for drinking.
Hard water contains a high concentration of minerals that fulfill the body’s regular mineral intake requirement. Hard water also contains calcium in high concentrations which is beneficial for people with calcium deficiencies.
Can a Shower Filter Soften Hard Water?
Shower filters are added to shower heads to filter out water and remove small dissolved particles.
While shower filters are not the most effective water softeners, they reduce the amount of chlorine ions present in water which makes the water feel softer to use.
Final Thoughts
Epsom salt is an effective hard water softener with multiple benefits for health, mind, and body. It allows you to rejuvenate and replenish yourself without going through significant trouble and maintenance of massive water-softening systems.
Epsom salt is an easily available and affordable alternative to water softening machines and filters and can be modified according to the personal preferences of the user.