Why Hard Water in Winter Is the Worst
There is no denying that winter can be brutal. Winter months cause your skin to become dry, itchy, and flaky. You try to moisturize and warm up with a hot shower or relaxing bath, but does it help? Depending on your water situation, it may do more harm than good. In this post, Indy Soft Water – Carmel explains why hard water in winter is the worst.
The Furnace and Forced, Dry Air
Homeowners run the furnace to combat cold, outdoor weather. The furnace produces dry heat, especially if it’s a forced-air system. Consequently, dry indoor air causes the skin to dry, itch, and flake. Moreover, it can compound all types of skin issues, from dehydration to eczema. To counteract the weather’s attack on your skin, you take a hot shower or relaxing bath.
Whether or not your shower or bath helps relieve your dry skin largely depends on whether you have hard water in winter. Hard water contains mineral concentrations that negatively impact your skin, as well as hair, clothes, tubs, and sinks. How? They leave behind a residue that sometimes acts as a barrier to moisture. Further, they cause hair buildup, making it heavy and difficult to style. Finally, hard water leaves water scales and stains on clothes, sinks, tubs, and showers, and becomes more difficult to remove over time.
Why Hard Water Doesn’t Hydrate
Most hydration occurs from drinking water, which a water purification system will improve. Water on the skin evaporates especially hard water but leaves a mineral residue. The main mineral culprits that make-up hard water includes manganese, iron, and aluminum. Mineral-laden hard water provides clues to its existence, though. Here are the signs:
- Face appears dehydrated, and you notice more wrinkles.
- Body feels like it is covered in a thin film after showering.
- Soap and shampoo don’t lather as they should.
- Scale on glass shower doors, faucets, sinks, and tubs.
- Skin itches and flakes.
- Reddish-brown stains around grout and on clothes.
- Hair contains buildup, static, and is not as manageable
Can a Water Softener Fix the Problem?
You can condition and moisturize all you want, and we encourage you to do so. Still, we recommend getting a water softener service to improve the overall quality of your home’s water. How? A high-efficiency water softener removes the minerals contained in hard water. Once removed, the water works more effectively to interact with shampoos, soaps, and cleaners. Those same products rinse clean without leaving behind a sticky residue buildup. Many people say their skin feels better, and they feel cleaner when using a whole home water softener.
What To Do
If you suffer from dry, painful winter skin and have hard water, you might want to consider a water softener. Indy Soft Water serves homeowners in Hamilton County, including Fishers, Noblesville, Westfield, and Zionsville. Not sure what you want? Test the water with one of our rental services. Call (317) 228-9822 to speak to a professional.