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If your morning coffee hasn’t been tasting right lately, hard water might be the culprit.
Even thebest coffee makersaren’t safe from hard water build-up.
Hard water can cause someserious damage.
Over time, scale buildup might even shorten your machine’s lifespan.
Fortunately, determining whether you have hard water doesn’t require professional help.
Here are three simple hard water tests you’re able to try at home.
What is hard water?
While these minerals aren’t harmful to human health, they’re surprisingly destructive to appliances that heat water.
How does this affect your coffee?
Mineral buildup in your coffee machine can significantly impact both flavor and performance.
This not only wastes energy since scaled heating elements require more electricity to reach the right temperature.
But it also shortens the lifespan of your machine by accelerating wear on its components.
How to test for hard water: The soap test
1.
Fill with tap water
Pour exactly 12 ounces of your tap water into the container.
Using the correct amount will ensure your test results are reliable.
Add liquid soap
Add 10 drops of liquid hand soap to the water.
Without a cap,stir the water energeticallyuntil the soap is thoroughly distributed.
Check for suds
Look at the top of the water for foam.
An abundance of suds indicates soft water, while minimal foam suggests hard water.
If you see few bubbles,proceed to the next step.
Add more soap gradually
Continue adding soap in small incrementsof 5-10 drops,shaking after each addition.
Keep track of how many drops you’ve added in total.
These mineral deposits are a telltale sign of hard water.
Inspect your glassware
Look for spots or film on glasses and dishes after washing.
Hard water prevents soap from rinsing completely and leaves mineral spots when water evaporates.
Scale buildup on these external components indicates similar issues inside.
Assess your laundry
Notice if your clothes and towels feel stiff or appear dull after washing.
Hard water prevents detergent from working effectively, leaving mineral residue in fabric.
If hard water is affecting your plumbing, it’s almost certainly impacting your coffee machine, too.
With a quick dip-and-read method, it delivers accurate results in seconds.
An easy-to-read color chart simplifies interpretation, while FreshSeal packaging ensures long-term reliability.
Water hardness test strips are widely available online or at stores that sell water treatment products.
These inexpensive strips provide a quick and fairly accurate measurement.
Remove the strip and wait the specified time for the color to develop.
Compare the color change on the strip to the provided chart.
Most test kits include a color scale that corresponds to different hardness levels.
