Why Is Soft Water Slippery?

Why Is Soft Water Slippery?

September 4, 2019

If you live in a home with very hard water, you’re probably aware of the fact that it can be really challenging to work up a lather with soap. This is because the dissolved mineral solids in your water supply adversely interact with the soap and reduce its effectiveness. This can prove problematic both in the shower as well as in the washing machine.

You might think that buying a water softener is the best way to make your water more comfortable for bathing and washing. While softer water lathers up much more effectively than hard water, it often has a “slippery” texture that can leave you feeling slimy. For the most part, this is just something that you’ll get used to over time.

Soft water feels slippery because water softeners used ionized salts to strip away dissolved mineral solids. This leaves the water with a very low mineral content and a slightly higher sodium content. This can create water that feels slippery to the touch, and that leaves slight amounts of soap residue on your skin. The ions in the softened water reduce its ability to cling to the soap molecules, which means that some of them might stick to your skin even after you rinse.

If the feeling of slippery water leaves you uncomfortable following a shower or a bath, you might want to talk to a water treatment service in Pisgah Forest, NC. They can help you identify ways that you might improve your balance of soft versus hard water.

Here are a few other steps that you can take to alleviate the discomfort caused by softened water:

  • Use less soap: Because soaps lather more effectively in soft water than they do in hard water, you should be using less soap with your water softener anyway. This will reduce the amount of soap that you have to rinse off, and help eliminate the slimy, slippery feeling you might otherwise experience.
  • Invest in synthetic detergents: Synthetic detergents are made from materials not commonly used in soap composition. You can rely on synthetic detergents to provide you with a better lather and rinse experience when showering or bathing with softened water.
  • Explore other water treatment options: A traditional water softener isn’t necessarily the only way that you can improve your home’s water quality. For instance, you may be better suited by a whole-home filtration system, especially if you’re living in an area with naturally softer water supplies. Consult with a water treatment service in Pisgah Forest, NC to learn about popular alternatives near you.

For more than 20 years, Royal Water Works, Inc. has been a premier provider of water treatment service in Pisgah Forest, NC. We’re proud to provide our residential clients with comprehensive water treatment options. If you’re looking for a better way to treat and soften your water, consult with one of our highly qualified experts. We can test your water and identify a water treatment regimen that meets your specific needs. Contact one of our experts today to learn more.

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