Descale drinking water
Does it make sense to decalcify your drinking water? One often asks oneself exactly this question, does it make sense to decalcify my drinking water, although the minerals in the water are supposed to be so healthy.
The question of decalcification of drinking water should be considered more closely.
Consumers should always decalcify the water if it is too hard. However, the water hardness varies from village to village. While some are happy about soft and therefore low-lime water, other cities have to deal with extremely calcareous H2O. Anyone who does without it is doing themselves and their household appliances a disservice. You have various options for softening the water that have already proven themselves over the long term.
What are the causes of hard water?
Calcareous water doesn't fall from the sky, does it? What sounds strange has a kernel of truth. This is because groundwater is formed from rain and contains hardening substances. These are dissolved minerals such as magnesium and calcium. The water hardness is given in German hardness (°dH), whereby up to 8.4 °dH is soft water and up to 14 °dH is medium water. Hard water lies above it.
Can water be decalcified by boiling it?
Yes. Calcareous water can be softened by boiling it. All you have to do is boil it in a pot on the stovetop or in a kettle. However, you should bring some time with you, because the boiled water has to cool down and then be boiled again after filtering with a coffee filter. Repeating it several times is recommended. The whole thing is therefore relatively easy, but not the fastest method for descaling.
Do table water filters decalcify water reliably?
Yes. You probably know those table water filters that use charcoal to remove limescale from the water. This is contained in cartridges through which the water runs. This process takes a few minutes at most and makes lime-free H2O out of lime. The water filter cartridges only cost a few euros and should be replaced after 4 weeks of use. A well-known German brand is Brita, but dm now offers compatible cartridges at lower prices.
When are water decalcification systems worthwhile for softening?
Water softening systems are particularly worthwhile in areas where households are supplied with particularly hard water. The systems can be attached directly to the tap and thus ensure soft water. Purchasing a water decalcification system is significantly more expensive, and maintenance and repairs must also be taken into account. In the case of extremely hard water, however, households should definitely think about H2O decalcifying systems.
Should plants be watered with hard water?
Ideally not. In nature, plants are used to rainwater that does not contain lime. Many people use tap water to water their plants, but in many regions of Germany it is too hard. The plants suffer from this, because the lime prevents the plants from optimally absorbing nutrients. You shouldn't be surprised if there are any deficiency symptoms. Decalcified H2O is therefore much more suitable for plants.
Why is water decalcification so important?
Descaling water is advisable for several reasons. On the one hand, your household appliances will calcify if you do not soften the H2O. The risk of defects increases and electricity and energy costs also increase. This applies to the washing machine, for example, but limescale can also affect its proper functioning - among other things, by the water no longer flowing freely through the tap. On the other hand, hard water has an effect on the taste of tea and coffee – and it has a negative effect.
Mineral intake through drinking water
In drinking water, especially in hard water, there should be many minerals in the water. Calcium and magnesium are present in larger amounts. However, there are two points to consider when discussing mineral intake through drinking water. Firstly, the body has a very difficult time utilizing the minerals in drinking water because they are present in compounds that the body cannot easily convert. Calcium and magnesium requirements are better covered by solid food. The second point: the amount of calcium and magnesium, even in hard water, is too low to cover the mineral requirements.
Conclusion - decalcify water in the entire household
The decalcification of the drinking water in the house can make sense. Because most of the water used in the home is not drunk. Household appliances and fittings that come into contact with hard water become calcified very quickly. A decalcification system can save a lot of time and money here.