Diamond Crystal offers
soft water tips that can save you hard cash
(ARA) - Ever wonder why dishes come out
of the dishwasher with a filmy residue or why soap doesn't lather
in the shower? It may be because your home has hard water.
Hard water, which is a build-up
of natural minerals such as magnesium and calcium, is the culprit
for many inconveniences including stained porcelain, frizzy hair
and dry, itchy skin. But it's more than inconvenient: it's also
costly. Hard water can cause water heaters to run up to 60 percent
less efficiently than with softened water, and it can reduce
the life span of other appliances.
It is estimated that more than
80 percent of homes across the country are affected by hard water.
What is more staggering however, is that many homeowners do not
know if they have hard water or how to detect it. Do you?
The amount of hardness varies
in each water supply. However, the Salt Institute estimates that
the equivalent of nearly 90 pounds of solid rock is brought into
the average home by hard water each year. For an average family
of four, that's the equivalent of a one-pound rock about every
four days.
Hard water can have a serious
impact on your pocketbook. It can shorten the life span of your
appliances by as much as 30 percent, which can lead to costly
repairs or replacement. That means a washing machine that should
last 13 years may last only nine years because of hard water
damage; a dishwasher that should last 10 years may last only
seven, and a hot water heater that should last 11 to 13 years
may last only eight or nine.
Another factor to consider
is the high cost associated with repairing major appliances.
How much would you be willing to pay to repair a 5-year-old washing
machine? Replacement is often the best option once hard water
has wreaked havoc on an appliance. By installing a water softener,
you can add more than three years to the life of most of your
appliances -- and save yourself the expense of replacing them
sooner than expected.
According to Cargill Salt,
maker of Diamond Crystal water softening products, whether you're
washing dishes, clothes, or taking a shower, installing a water
softener can make your life easier by eliminating potential hard
water problems at their source.
How hard water affects you
* Hard on clothes --
Clothes washed in hard water tend to wear out 15 percent faster
than those washed in soft water.
* Hard on washers --
The American Water Works Association has found that washing machines
that use hard water can wear out up to 30 percent faster than
those that use soft water.
* Hard on dishes --
Hard water can leave an unsightly film build-up on glasses and
dishes.
* Hard on you -- When
you bathe in hard water, deposits are left behind which may leave
your hair looking dull and your skin dry. Shaving is also more
difficult in hard water. And hard water leaves a filmy soap ring
around bathroom fixtures, making bathroom and kitchen clean up
more difficult.
* Hard on budgets --
Hard water requires much more soap, shampoo, or detergent than
soft water, so your soap products don't stretch nearly as far.
Solve the problem
The first step in solving hard
water problems is determining the hardness of your water. Consumers
can call (800) 428-4244 for a free kit from Diamond Crystal water
softening products, which includes an easy-to-use test strip,
a coupon for a free bag of water softening salt and other helpful
information. You also can speak with a representative who can
answer general water softening questions and help you select
softening salt that is right for your water type and softener.
Once you know your water's
hardness, it may be time to install a water softener. Water softeners
cost from $300 to $1,200 and can be installed by homeowners or
by a professional. Once the unit is installed, it must be properly
set to match household water usage. Some units can be set to
regenerate only on demand, while others follow a regular cycle.
Make sure your water softener
is always full of the proper salt. Without salt, a water softener
is useless. Salt is necessary to regenerate the water softener's
resin beads, which take the hardness out of your water.
Choosing the proper softening
salt is important to get the best results from your water-softening
unit. Various water-softening salts are produced for different
types of water softeners and water quality problems.
For example, cabinet softeners
can be more difficult to clean, so a higher purity salt, such
as Diamond Crystal Pellets with Softener Care, should be used.
Higher purity salt results in less build-up and less frequent
cleaning. The water in some homes may also have high levels of
iron, affecting the taste and causing discoloration. Many water-softening
salts, such as Diamond Crystal Red Out Pellets with Iron Fighter,
are produced with special additives to combat iron problems.
Also, don't forget to re-test
your home's water supply at least once a year to ensure it is
healthy. A hard water test strip is the quickest and easiest
way to test your water.
Cargill Salt offers a full
line of Diamond Crystal water softening products, including Pellets
with Softener Care, Solar Salt Extra Coarse and Red Out Pellets
with Iron Fighter. Cargill Salt also offers a variety of Diamond
Crystal food salts and deicing products. For more information
on Diamond Crystal products, visit the Cargill Web site at www.cargillsalt.com.
WHAT'S NEW?
Pots & Pans