This is the laziest, most effective hack in the book. Grab a pinch of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and stir it into a glass of water. That’s it. You’ve just raised the alkalinity and hardness instantly.
Be careful, though. Too much and your water will taste like a salt lick. Start with a tiny pinch per 8 ounces. (Seriously, barely a sprinkle—it’s a science experiment, not a soup.)
Baking soda adds carbonate hardness, which is perfect for brewing coffee or keeping fish tanks happy. Just don’t use it for plants unless you want to kill them. (Oh, the irony.)
