Households with hard water deal with a number of inconveniences, such as limescale build-up and stains. Even washing one’s hair can be problematic. Many people with hard water complain of dry, brittle hair.

The calcium and magnesium minerals contained in hard water affect soap’s ability to build a good lather. Therefore, building a rich lather takes major amounts of shampoo. Each hair shaft consists of overlapping slates, called scales, which are similar to a roof’s shingles. On a healthy shaft of hair, the scales remain smoothed down. (more…)