Most people think the only way to soften hard water is by installing a water softener or water conditioner, but this is not the only solution. You can still soften water without a water softener by using the following homemade DIY.
How to soften water without a water softener
Method 1: Boiling water
Fill the pot with water and put it on fire for boiling. As the water starts to boil, you will notice contaminants forming around the top side of the pot. Scoop those impurities out.
When water boils, remove it from the fire and place it aside to cool completely. You will see residue gather at the bottom of the pot.
Sieve the water in another clean container and leave the mineral residue at the bottom.
Boiling water makes your water taste flat because a lot of oxygen is lost. To restore the taste pour water back and forth between two clean containers for a few minutes. It will help regain oxygen lost during boiling.
Method 2: Using vinegar
This method works only for dishwashers and laundry using distilled white vinegar. Make sure you are using distilled white vinegar the other types of vinegar won’t work.
If you are washing dishes using your hands pour 1 cup of vinegar into the rinse water. In the dishwasher pour 1 cup of the vinegar into the rinse aid dispenser or at the bottom of your dishwasher as the final rinse start.
In the same case as laundry pours 1 cup of vinegar into the final rinse water if you are washing clothes using your hands. In the washing machine pour 1 cup of the vinegar into the last cycle.
The vinegar may cause your clothes to have a smell if you are worried about it you can add fabric conditioner.
In case your water is extremely hard, add ½ cup of vinegar to wash water when using your hands to wash dishes or clothes.
In the washing machine and dishwasher add ½ cup of vinegar at the start of the wash cycle.
Method 3: Use baking soda and borax
Add 1/2lb washing soda and ¼ lb borax to a container.
Add warm water halfway to the container that has a mixture of baking soda and borax.
Cover with a lid and shake until the mixture fully dissolve in water.
Fill the container with warm water and mix well.
Use 1 cup of the solution for each load of laundry.
Method 4: non-precipitating water conditioner for your laundry
Non-precipitating water conditioners (such as Charlie’s Soap – Laundry Booster and Hard Water Treatment) trap hard water minerals during the wash. This method won’t work when using a precipitating water conditioner.
You can add the non-precipitating water conditioner during the rinse cycle or wash cycle.
When using during the wash cycle, add according to the label instructions.
Shop for more Laundry Booster and Hard Water Treatment
How to soften laundry water without a water softener
Step 1:
Methods 2, 3, and 4 explained above can help soften laundry water without a water softener.
Step 2: Use Sodium tripolyphosphate
Sodium tripolyphosphate is used as a cleaning agent, Laundry Detergent, in Water Treatment as a Water Softener.
When doing laundry add Sodium tripolyphosphate in water to bind calcium and magnesium before you add the detergent. The amount varies depending on your water’s hardness, but the water should feel slippery.
Step 3: Use liquid detergent
You can use liquid detergent and not powder. The liquid detergent resists water hardness while powdered bonds with hard water minerals.
Then add a small amount of laundry borax to your washing load.
The laundry borax softens your water.
Add 1/2 cup of borax to your washing machine per load. Borax is added to the wash cycle, not the rinse cycle.
Step 4: Use hot water
Wash your clothes in hot water at a temperature the fabric can withstand.
How to soften dish cleaning water without a water softener
Methods 2 and 3 explained above can help soften dish cleaning water without a water softener.
How to soften hard bathwater
Water hardness that has high concentrations of calcium and magnesium in water can leave your hair and skin feeling dry after bathing. If you experience dry skin and hair you need to solve the problem by softening bathwater
How do you soften hard bathwater?
Bath salt- bath salt is commonly known for perfume bathwater but it also helps to soften water by adding sodium and potassium ions that replace minerals such as calcium and magnesium.
You don’t have to purchase bath salt from the store but you can make your right at home
Baking soda– adding ½ a cup of baking soda to the bath water help to soften it
Use of vinegar
Adding a cup of vinegar to the bathwater help soften it.
How to soften hard water for washing hair without a softener
- Use of vinegar ( apple cider vinegar best choice)
Vinegar is excellent at removing crud off silverware and your hair. It’s also antibacterial! The effects of harsh water are neutralized when you apply vinegar to your hair. It also prevents the growth of fungus on your scalp.
Calcium builds up on all of your fragile follicles when you wash your hair in dry water. Vinegar’s acidity helps to dissolve that build-up. It smoothes down cuticles, regulates the PH of your hair, and leaves it feeling soft and silky all at the same time!
Any vinegar will suffice, but apple cider vinegar is the best choice. Combine 1 part vinegar and 2 parts water in a mixing bowl.
After shampooing, pour the vinegar mixture into your hair and massage it into your scalp.
If you do it every day, your hair will dry out. It’s best to do this once a week to get rid of the hard water muck!
For a more luxurious treatment, pour the mixture into a spray bottle and add coconut water and a few drops of lavender oil. After spraying it on, wait 15 minutes before rinsing it off.
- Apply a leave-in conditioner to your hair.
Hard water can make your hair brittle and dull, as well as change the color of your hair. It frequently discolors lighter hues or removes color from treated hair.
Use a hydrating leave-in conditioner at least once or twice a week to battle dry hair and decrease breakage.
Ingredients to look for include jojoba oil, almond oil, coconut oil, and argan oil. All of these things help to keep moisture in each strand and give you a glossy, smooth finish.
- Apply a Citrus Rinse to your hair.
Citric acid, such as lime or lemon juice, is a good treatment for hair damage caused by hard water.
Squeeze a fresh lemon or lime (or both) and dilute with three parts water. After shampooing, apply the mixture to your hair and thoroughly mix it in, paying specific attention to the scalp.
As a result, your hair should feel silkier and appear healthier and shinier. Plus, the antibacterial characteristics of lemon rinse will help you fight dandruff!
- Apply a clarifying shampoo to your hair.
Once a week, use a clarifying shampoo to help eliminate all of the mineral build-ups from the hard water. It removes any remaining residue and restores luster.
Just be aware that certain store-bought clarifying shampoos might be harsh on your hair. Avoid products that include alcohol and look for those that have natural and safe ingredients.
When you find one that works for you, your hair will have more shine and volume. Plus, your hair will feel smoother and thicker as a result!
Do you live in an area with hard water?
How do you soften water without a water softener?
Have you tried any of the above methods we have shared?
Which results did you get? Share with us below.
Related:
- How to remove hard water stains
- Effect of hard water
- How to test water hardness
- Best water hardness test kit
