What does water hardness mean?

Table of Contents

• Water hardness ranges
• Hard water / Soft water
• Reduce water hardness

Water hardness indicates how many hardness-forming substances, i.e. calcium and magnesium, are in the water. The higher the water hardness, the higher the proportion of hardness agents. When water hardness is high, it is referred to as “hard water” and when water hardness is low, it is referred to as “ soft water ”. In Germany, water hardness is usually given in degrees of German hardness (° dH). Alternatively in parts per million (ppm).

Water hardness ranges

According to the detergent law, water hardness is divided into three water hardness ranges.

• Soft hardness range: water hardness lower than 8.4° dH
• Hardness range medium: water hardness between 8.4° dH and 14.6° dH
• Hardness range: water hardness higher than 14.6° dH

Hard water / Soft water

In the household, high water hardness, i.e. hard water, becomes noticeable as limescale builds up everywhere, especially in places where warm water is needed. As a result, calcification in the bathroom and many kitchen appliances must be removed. For example, the kettle and coffee machine must be descaled regularly. In the shower, the shower walls and the shower head must be freed from limescale.

High water hardness causes higher costs when washing. The hardness agents form compounds with the surfactants in the detergent, so-called lime soaps. These reduce the washing power. To compensate for the reduced washing power, more detergent must be used with hard water than with soft water. As a result, the cost of detergents increases.

Reduce water hardness

Water softening can be used to reduce water hardness throughout the entire household. This is recommended for water hardness of 8.4° dH. Installing a water softening system will reduce the water hardness to a desired value. A residual hardness of 3 - 4 ° dH is usually set.

In our shop you will find the right water softening system for all areas of application.