Do you have soft water? You may have noticed that your skin feels slimy or slippery when you wash your hands or take a shower. This is a common sensation and is a normal effect of soft water interacting with your skin and soap. It helps to understand the factors that cause this sensation and why soft water is still a favorable choice for many people.
The Science Behind Soft Water Causing Slipperiness
Hard water has magnesium and calcium, which are minerals. When they dissolve, they tend to create sticky residue. Most people who are accustomed to hard water do not notice this film on their skin. However, it is what makes you feel less slippery after water comes into contact with your skin. The slimy sensation from soft water is due to the absence of dissolved minerals. As you combine soft water with soap, the soap stays fully soluble. You may notice that soap and shampoo also seem to lather better with soft water. This is also because of the full solubility. That slippery feeling is simply a sign that your soap is cleaning more effectively and not leaving a layer of scum on your skin. Although the slimy feeling may seem like residue, it is just the lack of dissolved minerals leaving your skin’s natural oils intact. You actually rinse off more completely when you use soft water.
How Soft Water Benefits Your Skin
It may take some time for you to get accustomed to that slimy feeling if you recently switched to soft water. However, it helps to remember that soft water is still better for your skin. The minerals in hard water strip away your skin’s natural oils and cause dryness. You may notice that your skin feels tighter after a shower with hard water. Some people experience skin irritation because of the dryness from hard water. Since soft water does not strip away natural oils, it leaves your skin feeling softer. Think of using soft water as a way to optimize the moisture balance in your skin.
Why Soap Lathers Better With Soft Water
Soap does not lather easily with hard water. This is because the minerals and soap molecules bind together, which minimizes the formation of soap suds. When you use hard water, you may notice that you have to use more soap or shampoo to get the same lather you see with soft water. Without minerals to reduce suds, soft water lathers well. It can help soap feel more soothing, and you do not need as much soap or shampoo. This can also help you save money. If you strongly dislike the slippery feeling, you can try buying soap that is specially formulated for use with soft water. Also, there are soap-free cleansers available.
Benefits of Soft Water in Your Household
Soft water offers several benefits for your home. Your appliances and plumbing pipes will not be exposed to as many minerals if you have soft water. For example, sediment builds up in water heaters over time. If you have hard water, it builds up much faster. That sediment can eventually damage the tank and cause it to wear out quicker. Also, you may not need to clean scale and mineral deposits out of your dishwasher as often. In this way, soft water can offer additional long-term savings by reducing appliance maintenance needs and replacement frequency.
The household benefits of soft water also extend to some of your belongings. For instance, soft water helps your laundry come out cleaner. It may also look better. Detergent works better in soft water, and you may notice that you no longer need fabric softener. As it is with soap, you can use less laundry detergent and still experience improved cleanliness.
Soft Water Solutions in Lakeland
It is understandable that getting used to the slippery feeling of soft water takes time. The good news is that it is not a reason for concern and actually signifies something positive. If you give it time, you may notice that your skin looks healthier as you continue using soft water. Perhaps you may need less moisturizer, and you can appreciate the benefit of spending less over time on shampoo or soap. When you add the household benefits of soft water, it is easier to see why so many people invest in it. If you need water softener installation or repair, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing can handle these and other tasks. Our team of professionals has helped many homeowners experience the benefits of soft water. Please contact us to learn more about water softeners in Lakeland.