Soft water facts for kids
Soft water is a special kind of water that has very low amounts of minerals like calcium and magnesium. It contains less than 85.5 parts per million of calcium carbonate.
You can often tell if water is soft because it makes lots of bubbles and lathers easily when you use soap. This is because it doesn't have many of the minerals that stop soap from working well. Soft water is the opposite of hard water, which has a lot more of these minerals.
Where Does Soft Water Come From?
Soft water usually comes from places where the ground is made of peat or igneous rock, like granite. It can also come from sandstone areas. These types of rocks and soil naturally have very little calcium and magnesium, so the water that flows through them stays soft.
Soft Water vs. Hard Water
While hard water can sometimes add a tiny bit of calcium and magnesium to your diet, soft water has many benefits, especially around the house.
One big problem with hard water is that it can leave mineral deposits, like a chalky buildup, inside pipes. This is called "scale formation." It's especially common in hot water pipes. This scale can block pipes over time and make things like water heaters less efficient.
Also, soap and detergents don't work as well in hard water. You might need to use more soap to get things clean, and you might see soap scum left behind. With soft water, your soap will lather up easily, and you'll use less of it to get the same cleaning power!
Images for kids
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A part of the ancient Roman Eifel Aqueduct in Germany. After about 180 years, this aqueduct had mineral deposits up to 20 cm thick on its walls!
See also
In Spanish: Agua dura para niños
