Water hardness varies throughout Germany and plays a role in different areas. In this blog post, we explain what exactly water hardness is and what influence it has on cleaning.
What exactly is water hardness?
As already mentioned, the water hardness in Germany varies from region to region . Water hardness describes the proportion of alkaline earth metals in the water . The amount of calcium and magnesium is particularly important. The more calcium and magnesium there are, the harder the water. Accordingly, a distinction is made between three different water hardness ranges:
- Water hardness range soft: water hardness less than 8.4° dH
- Water hardness range medium: water hardness between 8.5° dH to 14.6° dH
- Water hardness range hard: water hardness higher than 14.6° dH
Simply put, water hardness describes how much limescale our tap water contains . The unit is degrees of German hardness, abbreviated to °dH.
In which areas does water hardness play a role?
Water hardness is particularly important in the home. Hard water is detrimental to all household appliances that heat water, as limescale builds up in the pipes. Hard water generally quickly becomes noticeable through deposits . This is particularly noticeable on fittings, as these need to be cleaned much more frequently. Hard water can also impair the washing process , which is why all washing and dishwasher detergents now contain a softener to make the water "soft". This significantly extends the lifespan of household appliances. The correct dosage is very important, as this is based on the water hardness.
Is hard water harmful?
Now the question arises as to whether hard water is harmful. The answer is no . Hard water simply contains more calcium and magnesium than soft water. Both minerals are important for our bodies, so hard tap water can be drunk without any concerns. With household appliances, the correct dosage of cleaning agent is important because these already contain water softener, so hard water is also harmless. There are special descalers for small appliances that should be used regularly to remove limescale from the pipes and extend their lifespan. Hard water can leave marks on tiles or fittings, but these can be removed quickly and easily with the help of suitable cleaning agents.
How do I know the hardness of my tap water?
All information about the water hardness level is available from the water supply company . They are obliged to provide an annual report on the water hardness level and as soon as there is a change, this must also be communicated. There are also water hardness test kits that can be used to measure the hardness level at home.
All in all, neither hard nor soft water is harmful. Regions with hard water simply need to remove limescale deposits more often and descale the coffee machine more often. All other large household appliances compensate for the water hardness with a water softener.
