Adjusting to Life with Hard Water
If you’re not used to it, the hard water in Stuttgart can come as a surprise. Getting used to life with hard water might take a little while, but we have some helpful tips for you!
What is hard water?
Hard water usually refers to water with a high concentration of calcium and magnesium ions. You’ll hear Germans talking about “Kalk”, which is a short name for calcium carbonate. Water can also be described as hard if it has dissolved metals like aluminum, zinc, iron, and so on.
Hard water has a variety of effects, some of them quite obvious, while others only show up in the long term.
Cleaning
Hard water doesn’t produce a soap lather as easily, so you may find that you don’t get as much in the way of bubbles when you are washing up. Soap can also react with calcium carbonate to form a film on your hands, so you may need to rinse your hands for longer.
Calcium carbonate deposits also show up anywhere hard water is allowed to evaporate. If you don’t like your sink, shower, or floors looking streaky, you’ll need to wipe them dry after cleaning.
In order to avoid spots on your glasses and silverware, be sure your dishwasher has its rinse agent topped up and the salt dispenser filled with dishwasher salt (a very coarse grained variety). If you use all-in-one tabs that contain both rinse agent and salt, you should still use additional rinse agent and salt if your water is really hard. About once a month you’ll need to clean the filters at the bottom of the dishwasher. You might also find it helpful to run a cycle with a special cleaning tab.
Calcium carbonate can also build up in other filters. Be sure to clean out your washer and dryer filters regularly. If you notice your water pressure dropping, check your faucet and shower head.
Health
Although not everyone enjoys the flavor, the minerals in hard water can help you get your daily recommended intake of calcium, magnesium, and even iron. However, people with high blood pressure may need to be wary of the sodium levels in hard water. There are water pitchers with filters as well as faucet filtration systems you can purchase if you prefer to drink softer water without having to buy bottled.
The water in Stuttgart is carefully monitored and regulated by the Drinking Water Ordinance at the water utility company. However, the actual quality of the tap water in your home will depend on the pipes it travels through. Depending on the system and the age of the pipes, the water might not meet those same standards when it comes out of your faucet.
Hard water can also contribute to dry skin and hair. Dry skin can in turn lead to itchiness and flaking, while hair may turn brittle and break. Having a hand cream next to your sink and moisturizing regularly can help alleviate dry skin. Besides regularly conditioning to keep hair soft and flexible, using a chelating shampoo can help remove mineral buildup. If you’re particularly sensitive, you could consider a water softening system for your home, or at least for your shower.