Hard water: what to do to get softer water?

You clean your taps and, a few days later, the white marks are already back? Your kettle is covered with limescale deposits, your skin feels tight after the shower, and your hair is dry?

No need to investigate for long: your water is hard.

In concrete terms, the more calcium and magnesium water contains, the harder it is. This is referred to as hard water. And it can quickly become burdensome.

You are therefore looking for a solution for softer water. However, depending on the hardness of your water and the problems encountered, the treatment may not necessarily be the same.

So, when faced with hard water, what to do? Water softener, salt-free anti-limescale, maintenance…

Let’s compare the different systems to find the one that truly corresponds to your water and your needs.

Why is my water so hard?

The limescale present in your water is primarily natural. To understand where it comes from, you need to look beneath your feet.

As it seeps into the ground and passes through rocks, water gradually picks up dissolved minerals, mainly calcium and magnesium. It is their concentration that determines the hardness of the water: the higher it is, the harder the water is said to be.

Naturally, the geology is not the same everywhere. In France, some regions are more affected:

• Hauts-de-France, with many chalky soils;
• Île-de-France and the Paris Basin, rich in limestone formations;
• Grand Est, particularly in several limestone sectors of Lorraine and Champagne;
• Centre-Val de Loire and Burgundy—Franche-Comté, where significant limestone formations are also found.

Conversely, waters that flow through granite terrains are generally softer. This is also the case in parts of Brittany, the Massif Central, the Vosges, or Corsica.

Be aware that hardness can vary within the same region. To know yours, consult the TH (hydro-timometric title) of your municipality or measure it with a home test.

You will know precisely how hard your water is.

What are the dangers of water that is too hard?

The problems caused by limescale in your home

A small distinction is necessary: limescale and tartar do not quite refer to the same thing.

In hard water, calcium and magnesium are dissolved and therefore invisible. But when they precipitate, particularly with hot water, they form solid limescale deposits that become embedded. This is what is called tartar.

And this is where the trouble begins. Its accumulation can lead to:

• the obstruction of your pipes;
• the limescale buildup in the water heater, dishwasher, washing machine…;
• a decrease in the performance and lifespan of your household appliances;
• white marks on taps and shower walls.

Note: 1 mm of tartar on an electric heating element can increase its energy consumption by 10%.

The energy bill takes a hit.

The effects of limescale on your skin and hair

When the water is very hard, small mineral residues remain on the skin and hair after rinsing.

The skin retains moisture less effectively and becomes more easily sensitive.

In daily life, this translates to:

• dry skin, with tightness, redness, or itching;
• more discomfort for sensitive skin, especially in cases of eczema or psoriasis;
• a drier scalp, which itches or feels tight;
• dry, dull, and coarse hair, with consequences for the hair fiber.

But rest assured, this can change. There are treatments available to limit the effects of limescale and regain more pleasant water and comfort.

The impact of limescale on your health

Rest assured, drinking hard water is not dangerous for health, as long as it meets drinking water standards.

Calcium and magnesium, responsible for its hardness, are even essential minerals for the body and contribute to our daily intake.

However, when the water is particularly rich in minerals, it can lead to mild digestive issues in sensitive individuals, such as intestinal discomfort or a laxative effect.

And kidney stones? Contrary to popular belief, hard water is not recognized as a direct cause of their formation.

The main inconvenience remains its more pronounced, chalky taste. And when tap water is less appealing to drink, it’s hard to make it your best hydration ally!

How to have less hard water at home?

To combat limescale, several solutions exist. But be careful, they do not all work the same way. Some reduce the content of calcium and magnesium, while others mainly limit the formation of tartar.

Water softener, anti-limescale system for the home without salt, magnetic devices… Each technology has its own functioning, advantages, and disadvantages.

The salt water softener, the traditional solution

The salt water softener actually reduces the hardness of the water through a process called ion exchange. Specifically, its resin retains calcium and magnesium ions and replaces them with sodium ions. The TH decreases and the water thus becomes softer.

However, the softener remains a rather burdensome piece of equipment: high purchase price, bulky device, brine discharge, salt bags to replace, and regular maintenance.

It also alters the composition of the water by increasing its sodium content. This is not ideal for our health. Drinking softened water is therefore not recommended for individuals who need to limit their salt intake, particularly in cases of hypertension or certain cardiovascular diseases.

To learn more, discover what a water softener is used for in daily life.

The salt-free anti-limescale, the new generation alternative

With a salt-free anti-limescale, essential minerals remain naturally present in the water. The system acts primarily on limescale to limit the formation of incrusting tartar.

This is the principle behind ODOUCE and its patented turbulent galvanic ionization technology. Calcium carbonate is transformed into aragonite, a more powdery form that does not adhere to pipes and equipment, and even gently detaches tartar accumulated over the years.

In concrete terms, ODOUCE offers several advantages:

• up to 76% less deposit;
• without salt and without altering the natural composition of the water;
• without electricity, filters, or consumables;
• without maintenance;
• a preventive and curative action that helps gradually eliminate already installed tartar.

To learn more, discover our reviews on salt-free softeners.

The magnetic anti-limescale, limited effectiveness

The magnetic anti-limescale works with magnets installed around the piping. The magnetic field is supposed to modify the crystallization of limescale so that it adheres less easily to surfaces and equipment.

Like salt-free devices, it does not remove trace elements and therefore does not reduce the hardness of the water.

On paper, this filter-free water treatment is appealing due to its simplicity. In reality, the results are much less consistent.

Its effectiveness varies depending on the water composition, flow rate, or even the installation, and scientific studies remain divided.

Before making your decision, discover our analysis of the magnetic anti-limescale.

How to remove already embedded tartar?

Perhaps it is time to descale in your house or apartment.

For visible deposits, a few household products are enough to clean your appliances well:

• white vinegar helps dissolve limescale on faucets, showerheads, and some small appliances. When used regularly, it limits the accumulation of deposits and facilitates maintenance;
• citric acid is also very effective on many surfaces and on household appliances. Its advantage: unlike vinegar, it does not leave that famous smell throughout the room. It is also used to remove rust stains.
  

These tips are very practical, but they have a limit. They eliminate what is visible, but without a preventive effect. And it is difficult to scrub the inside of your pipes!

If limescale is already well established in your water network and your equipment, an anti-limescale solution with a curative action, such as ODOUCE, helps to gradually detach existing deposits while limiting the formation of new limescale.

ODOUCE, an effective and sustainable salt-free anti-limescale solution

If you are looking to combat limescale without using a traditional water softener, ODOUCE offers a simpler and more sustainable alternative.

Compact, it installs directly on the main water supply of your home. On a daily basis, its operation remains very easy:

• without salt or chemicals;
• without electricity;
• without filters or consumables;
• without maintenance.

Its true difference lies mainly in its action on limescale. Thanks to its patented turbulent galvanic ionization technology, ODOUCE limits the formation of limescale while preserving the natural composition of water.

And it does not just prevent new deposits. Its curative action also helps to gradually eliminate already established limescale.

A solution designed to protect the entire house and maintain your comfort. Enjoy quality drinking water for your appliances and your health.