Want to be sure without buying a kit? Fill a clean, clear bottle with tap water, add a few drops of pure liquid soap (not detergent), and shake it. If it creates a fluffy cloud of bubbles, you’re in soft water territory. If it looks like a murky, flat puddle with no foam, bingo—hard water.
Another trick: check your pipes. If your faucets have white crust around the base that chips off like old paint, that’s mineral scale. It’s not mold, so don’t panic—just get ready to scrub or call a plumber. Surprising fact: about 85% of homes in the United States have hard water. You are not alone—you’re part of a crusty, mineral-rich club.
