Hard water is a term used to describe water which has a high dissolved mineral content. Calcium and magnesium are the two main minerals to consider.

There is no health risk from hard water – but it can be a nuisance as it tends to cause mineral deposits to build up in water pipes, heating systems, kettles and other domestic appliances. When using soap or detergent products it has impaired performance when compared to soft water – it produces less lather.

As water flows through rock and soil it collects small amounts of minerals and carries them in solution. The level of hardness increases as the level of calcium and magnesium in the solution increases.

To complicate matters further, there are two types of water hardness – permanent hardness and temporary hardness. Both are due to mineral content.

Permanent hardness cannot be removed by boiling. It is usually caused by the presence of calcium and magnesium sulfates and/or chlorides in the water. Despite its name it can actually be removed, usually by using a water softener or ion exchange column, which exchanges calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions in the column.

Temporary hardness can be removed by boiling the water, or by the addition of lime. It is caused by a combination of calcium ions and bicarbonate ions contained in the water. Boiling the water causes the bicarbonate to form carbonates and removes calcium carbonate from the solution leaving water which is softer after it cools down.

Scaling, also known as limescale, is the residual mineral deposit formed after the hard water has evaporated. This scale can clog pipes, form chalky deposits on the inside of kettles and reduce the effectiveness of domestic appliances like as dishwashers and washing machines.

If you want to reduce the effect of hard water in your home there are a number of fairly simple steps you can take.

First of all, choose the correct soaps and detergents. There are plenty of washing powders and liquid cleaners available for use in hard water areas. Picking the right one will not only get your clothes and dishes cleaner more easily, but will increase the life of your domestic appliances by reducing limescale build up.

Secondly, reduce the temperature level of your boiler. The greater the water temperature the more mineral deposits will be released from the water. These will be deposited in your pipes, water tank and any domestic appliances whaich are fed from the hot water supply. Lowering the temperature settings for your dishwasher and washing machine will also improve matters.

Finally, if your main problem is that you are not satisfied with the flavour of your tea or coffee then filtering the water will generally remove enough of the minerals to make quite a difference. You can fit a relatively inexpensive under sink filter (these are easy to install) or use a handy jug type filter – the Brita filter jug is a popular choice which comes in a variety of sizes and colours.