testing for hard water

alumsden1

How is this done? How do I know if I have hard water or not so I know how to wash my prefolds? TIA

fyi- We live in Portland, OR area and our water tastes fine but dries out my sensetive skin (if that helps).

nkintzel

Do you have well water or city supplied water? If you have city-supplied water, they actually test for hardness. So you can just call your sanitary district or water treatment plant, and they'll tell you what the relative hardness is.

But, some things to look for are like, soap scum all over everything, your clothes looking dingy, your glasses having spots on them, etc. Hard water makes cleaning anything difficult!

Hard water doesn't necessarily taste bad.But its so horrible if you have to clean with it!

nkintzel

Here's a helpful link, too.

https://www.water-research.net/hardness.htm

nkintzel

Ok, did a little googling. Here's what I found on the Portland Water Bureau's site:

"Is Portland's water soft or hard?

Portland's water is very soft. Hardness of Bull Run water typically ranges from 1/3 to ? a grain of hardness per gallon. Portland's groundwater hardness is approximately 86 parts per million (about 5 grains per gallon), which is considered moderately hard."

(reference: https://www.portlandonline.com/water/index.cfm?c=48907 )

so, there ya go.

alumsden1

you ladie are awesome Thank you!

Amy