Okay, this one is for the nerds who like to see the problem. Boil a pot of water on your stove and let it cool completely. Then, look at the bottom of the pot. See white, chalky, flaky stuff? That’s calcium carbonate—the official “hard water snow globes” you didn’t order.
More flakes mean harder water. If the bottom looks like a snowy alpine village, you’ve got a serious case. If it’s clear, you’re probably fine. Just don’t boil the water for too long, because then you’ll be boiling away the drama. And we want the drama to show up.
I once left a pot boiling for an hour while I binge-watched a show. The result was a mineral layer so thick I could have used it as a pizza stone. Do not recommend. But hey, it confirmed my water was harder than a calculus exam.
