Soft water contributes to more comfortable living

(ARA) - Ensuring they drink enough glasses of water each day to be healthy is second nature for most people. But how many think about the advantages of soft water for their families?

Water is one of those staples often taken for granted, until it's gone or everyone is experiencing some of the issues associated with hard water in many parts of the country. About 85 percent of U.S. households have some level of hard water, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. As the population continues to grow and become more diverse, many homeowners may be feeling the effects of hard water without even realizing it.

Most hard water contains calcium and magnesium. The hardness of your water depends on the amount of these and other dissolved minerals. A great solution is to install a water softener in your home.

This spring as you're looking for effective ways to make your life more comfortable and less stressful, think about the many benefits of soft water for your family. The term "hard water" originally referred to water that was difficult or hard to work with. Everyone has enough other things in life that are difficult or hard to work with, so let your water "soften" things up around the house.

Benefits of soft water

Soft water is gentler on your clothes and helps them last longer. Clothes tend to wear out 15 percent faster when washed in hard water.

Soft water also helps your appliances last longer. The American Water Works Association says washing machines using hard water can wear out up to 30 percent faster than those using soft water.

Soft water can help keep your dishes and glassware looking new because it helps eliminate the unsightly buildup of film that hard water can create.

Benefits for your family

Soft water helps remove the mineral deposits that can be left on your body from hard water. Instead of your skin drying out, soft water helps make it feel soft and smooth.

Soft water makes it much easier to keep your hair looking great - there isn't a buildup of mineral deposition coating it. Soft water also makes hair easier to brush and detangle.

Soft water means less soap is needed to cleanse the skin. This can be extremely important for families with young children, since their skin is often more sensitive.

Choosing the right water softening salt

Diamond Crystal Pellets are now available in new easy-to-carry two-handle bags that are also easier on the environment: the poly bags are made of 50 percent recycled material. Through a special manufacturing process, the recycled-content bags are just as strong, storable and fade-resistant as the original, so that in addition to making life more comfortable for your family with soft water, you can make the chore of carrying bags of salt less of a burden. Soft water fits a focus on personal and environmental care - it's a small option with big impact.

Courtesy of ARAcontent