Hard Water Filter

The NEED for a Hard Water Filter is more than we thought!

January 6, 2025 by Simon

I think as a child you just drink water, rarely do you even consider if it is clean or not. At least, thats my story. Whatever water came out of the faucet, I drank. Perhaps it was the incessant need for drinking water on the fly due to my overactive behaviour dehydrating me consistently. Only as I have gotten older, and seen so many sickness bugs and viruses, have I considered the quality of my water. The information online is convoluted, to say the least. Some say hard water is good, some say it’s bad. Or, it is so technical that you need to have graduated from school three times over to understand the truth. Long story short, I bought myself a hard water filter. This is why.

Firstly: Will a Water Filter Help with Hard Water

The sheer variety of water filters available can be overwhelming—I felt like my brain was doing backflips trying to make sense of them all. This confusion, I think, is a common issue many people face: figuring out which type of filter they actually need. After consulting ChatGPT, Google, and a range of other sources, I managed to piece together some understanding. However, most of the information I found came from commercial businesses trying to sell something. This made it challenging to separate reliable advice from sales-driven content.

 

So, does a water filter help with hard water? The answer is yes—but it depends entirely on the type of filter you choose.

 

Water filtration is becoming increasingly essential, especially in certain states where water quality is a pressing concern. Unfortunately, the cost can be a significant deterrent for many people, and understandably so. When I first ventured into the maze of choosing a water filter, I knew budget would play a big role in my decision. What I didn’t anticipate was the amount of research it would take to navigate the flood of unfamiliar information online while staying within my budget. What finally pushed me to take action was the visible damage hard water was causing to my kitchen sink—it made me wonder what it might be doing to my skin and body.

What is Hard Water & Is it a Problem

Life’s big challenges often come with both positives and negatives, and hard water is no exception. At its core, hard water is simply water that’s high in magnesium and calcium. That sounded pretty great to me when I first looked it up—after all, minerals are supposed to be good for you, right? But as I dug deeper, the downsides became glaringly obvious: residue on surfaces (like my poor kitchen sink), mineral buildup in pipes and fixtures, brittle and dry hair, and even drier skin.

 

Some people claim to enjoy the taste of hard water, but that’s definitely not the case in my household. The metallic tang might signify minerals, but I drink water for hydration, not for some supposed balance of nutrients managed by water treatment centers. And while it may seem trivial, the limescale buildup around my faucet drives me up the wall. It was the final straw when I began researching solutions.

 

The deeper I delved, the murkier the picture became. Sure, standard searches tell you that hard water contains calcium and magnesium—fair enough. But go beyond the surface, and you’ll find stories of aging water systems that may pose serious risks. For me, though, it wasn’t the theoretical dangers that spurred action; it was seeing the damage wreaked on my kitchen by something as simple as the water flowing from my faucet. That was my tipping point.

Who Should Get a Hard Water Filter

Most people should seriously consider investing in a water filter for their home—whether it’s for the faucet, shower, bathtub, or even a whole-house system. However, not everyone has the luxury of unlimited funds. For those of us who have to work within a budget (because, sadly, money doesn’t grow on trees), finding the right solution is key. If it did grow on trees, I’d probably have bought a plot of land instead of an apartment in Chicago!

 

Water hardness is typically measured in milligrams per liter (mg/L) or parts per million (ppm). Don’t worry—I’m not here to bog you down with technical jargon. Here’s the simple truth: about 85% of the U.S. has what’s considered hard water. That means the majority of us are dealing with mineral buildup in our pipes, which brings a host of concerns. Whether it’s drinking from the faucet or washing with it, hard water’s impact is hard to ignore.

 

For instance, constantly moisturizing with cocoa butter because your hands feel like sandpaper gets old fast—and let’s not forget how pricey good moisturizer can be. And when I mentioned to my wife that hard water could contribute to hair loss, the decision to invest in a hard water filter was no longer up for debate. Let’s just say, resistance was futile, and so was my wallet.

The Cost of Water Softening

Water softening—the natural counterpart to hard water. Determined to find a solution for my apartment, I made a few calls to local companies to explore my options. It didn’t take long for the costs to start piling up. Living in one of the hardest water states in the U.S., I quickly realized these sales pitches were finely tuned by experience. Most quotes came in at over $2,000, plus annual costs for filter replacements and upkeep.

 

After a bit of research, I discovered that water softeners can range anywhere from $500 to a staggering $10,000 for initial setup. Wild, isn’t it? All for something you’d hope would already be safe and reliable to consume. It’s baffling to think we live in a first-world country yet still face issues like this—whether you choose to acknowledge them or not!

How to Filter Hard Water (on a Budget)

Now we’re getting somewhere! Without the budget to invest in hefty water softening systems for my tiny apartment, I had to think creatively. Enter Flowpure—a solution I stumbled across through an Instagram ad. This nifty little faucet water filter cost me just $58, and it even came with a few extra filters that should last me around six months. Replacement filters? Cheap as chips. The result? Freshly filtered water straight from my kitchen faucet.

 

Full disclosure: as you’ve probably guessed by now, Flowpure sent me a year’s supply of filters in exchange for writing this blog. That said, I reached out to their team because, despite solving the dry hands and kitchen sink situation, my wife was still on edge about her hair. When I jokingly suggested she wash her hair in the kitchen sink, let’s just say the idea didn’t land well.

 

Fortunately, the Flowpure team assured me they’re working on a shower filter, which might just save my sanity (and hers). If I can manage to tackle hard water issues in my home using affordable, compact fixtures, I’ll be thrilled. And even more so if I can do it without wrecking my credit score on systems that are way out of my financial league.

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Negates the affects of hard water

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Me and my roommates are very happy with it! We all noticed that the filtered water had a much better taste and lightness to it, and felt pure 🙏🏻🌟

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I use this product not only for clean drinking water but also to wash my face! and I've noticed a positive difference in my skin's texture and clarity due to the extraction of all the impurities, imagine washing your face daily with chlorine... I Highly reccomend to purchase this not just for drinking purposes!

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Providing safe, great tasting water that helps increase hydration & overall health.

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Frequently asked questions:

1. What is hard water?
Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. These minerals are naturally picked up as water flows through soil and rocks. While not harmful to health, hard water can cause various issues in daily life, such as scaling, residue, and reduced soap effectiveness.


2. How do I know if I have hard water?
Signs of hard water include:

  • White, chalky residue (limescale) on faucets, sinks, and showerheads.
  • Reduced soap lather when washing or bathing.
  • Stiff or scratchy clothing after washing.
  • Dry skin or hair after showering.
  • Spots or streaks on dishes and glassware after washing.
    For a definitive answer, you can test your water using a home water hardness test kit or by contacting your local water utility for a water quality report.

 

3. Can hard water damage my appliances?
Yes, hard water can cause mineral buildup (scale) in appliances like water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines. This reduces their efficiency, increases energy costs, and shortens their lifespan. Regular descaling or using water softeners can mitigate these issues.

 

4. How can I fix hard water in my home?

  • Water Softeners: Devices that use salt or potassium to remove minerals from water.
  • Point-of-Use Filters: Attach to faucets or showerheads to reduce mineral content.
  • Descaling Agents: Products designed to clean and prevent limescale buildup.
    Choosing the right solution depends on your budget, water usage, and specific needs.