The short answer: White crust on fixtures, soap that won't lather, a film on your skin, spotted glassware, stiff laundry and falling water pressure are all common signs of hard water. If you're noticing two or more, it's worth having your water tested.
Signs in the Bathroom
1. Is there white crust on your faucets and showerheads?
Chalky white deposits on faucets, showerheads and shower doors that come back within days of cleaning are one of the most common signs of hard water. As water evaporates, the calcium and magnesium it was carrying are left behind as scale.
2. Does your soap or shampoo lather poorly?
Calcium and magnesium react with soap instead of letting it foam. You may find yourself using more shampoo, body wash and cleaning products to get the same results.
3. Do you feel a film on your skin after showering?
That filmy feeling after a shower is often soap curd, which forms when soap reacts with hardness minerals. It's the same residue that leaves a ring around the tub.
4. Is your skin dry or your hair dull?
Mineral and soap residue can stay behind on skin and hair after rinsing. Many people notice their skin feels tight and their hair looks dull or weighed down. Learn more about hard water and your skin and hair.
Signs in the Kitchen
5. Do your glasses and dishes come out spotted or cloudy?
If your dishwasher leaves a white haze that rinse aid never quite fixes, hard water may be the cause. The spots are dried mineral deposits left behind as water evaporates off the glass.
Signs in the Laundry Room
6. Are your towels stiff and your whites looking dingy?
Hard water minerals can trap detergent in fabric fibers. Over time, towels can feel scratchy, whites can turn gray and dark colors can fade faster than they should. See how hard water affects soap, laundry and dishes.
Signs Throughout the House
7. Has your water pressure dropped?
Scale can narrow the inside of pipes and clog aerators and showerheads. Because it happens gradually, many homeowners never connect lower water pressure to their water.
8. Are you seeing rust or brown stains?
Orange or brown stains in sinks, tubs and toilets usually point to iron in the water along with hardness. Iron is common in Florida wells and can show up on city water as well.
9. Does your water taste or smell like a pool?
Hardness itself doesn't usually have much taste. A pool-like taste or smell typically comes from the chlorine or chloramine your utility uses to disinfect the water. It's a separate issue from hardness, but it's one of the most common complaints we hear. Learn what stains, smells and tastes can tell you.
How Many Signs Did You Count?
If two or more of these sound familiar, there's a good chance your home has hard water. A water test can confirm exactly how hard it is and whether anything else, such as iron or chlorine, is part of the picture.
Otter offers a free, no-obligation in-home water test for Florida homeowners in Jacksonville, Tampa and Orlando.