How Hard Water Affects Your Skin and Hair
While hard water is safe to drink, its effects are felt daily during bathing and washing. The high concentration of minerals in Franklin's water prevents soap and shampoo from lathering properly. Instead of rinsing clean, it reacts with soap to form a film.
- This residue can clog pores, leading to dry, itchy skin and aggravating conditions like eczema.
- Hair becomes brittle, dull, and difficult to manage due to the mineral buildup stripping away its natural oils.
- For families with infants, preparing baby formula with very hard water may be a concern for parents regarding mineral intake.
Filtration Guide for Franklin's Very Hard Water
Given the hardness level of 11.4 GPG, a simple pitcher filter won't be enough to protect your home. The best approach involves a two-part solution:
- Whole-House Water Softener: This is the most effective solution. An ion-exchange softener removes the hardness minerals (calcium and magnesium) from all the water entering your house, protecting your entire plumbing system and every appliance.
- Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis (RO): For the purest drinking water, adding an RO system at the kitchen sink removes salts, chlorine, and other contaminants that a softener doesn't, delivering bottled-water quality straight from a dedicated tap.
A professionally installed whole-house softener costs around $1,500. Based on annual savings of $122 on energy, detergents, and delayed appliance replacement costs, the system pays for itself in about 12.3 years.