Hard Water vs. Soft Water

[Marylyn Makar 1B]

Hi! I am a little confused on the difference between hard and soft water? So is hard water alkaline and soft water acidic? Or is it the other way around ? Also is soft water the one with the soapy feel?

[Summer_Corona 3L]

Yes, hard water is alkaline and soft water is acidic. I think soft water is the one that feels soapy/smoother, but I am not entirely sure.

[Sophia Spungin 2E]

from what I have learned in a class I am taking on water quality, hard water is more alkaline due to the presence of cations (like Fe₂₊ or Mg²⁺).In the lecture Dr. Lavelle mentioned that alkaline materials have a soapy feel so it seems like maybe hard water would have this soapy feel since it is alkaline, however I am not 100% positive.

[Brianne Conway 1D]

I thought Dr. Lavelle said soft water is more alkaline and that's why it feels soapy, but when I looked it up it says hard water is more alkaline because it has more minerals in it, so I'm really not sure anymore.

[LarisaAssadourian2K]

Yes, soft water is acidic, and hard water is alkaline. I initially thought soft water had the soapy feel, but when I googled it to make sure, it said that hard water leaves the soapy feel, so I'm not really sure anymore.

[Caelin Brenninkmeijer 1G]

Based on the lecture, water that feels soapy is alkaline due to 'soft' salts. Hard water feels soapy, making it alkaline. Therefore, soft water would be acidic.

[DavidTabib 3H]

Hard water is alkaline whereas soft water is acidic.

[FrancescaHawkins2H]

My understanding is that hard water is hard because it has a higher mineral content. I looked it up and discovered that water is considered hard if it has a pH of 8.5 or above, meaning that hard water is more alkaline. Soft water, then, is more acidic and has a lower mineral concentration.

[Andy Hernandez]

Yes hard water is alkaline and soft water is acidic.

[805421690]

Does anyone know the best water brand that is healthier to drink, I heard of the most common brands being actually acidic and poor in health for us to drink!