The United States has a superior public water supply to the vast majority of countries, yet some areas receive hard water. In many cases, it is necessary to filter hard well water or water from underground aquifers before it may be safely consumed. But does Brita filter hard water? Water can’t be “softened” by using a Brita filter.
Carbon cartridges are what make Brita’s filtered pitchers, bottles, and faucet attachments so effective at enhancing flavor and masking odors while also filtering out harmful metals. Calcium and magnesium are insoluble and hence cannot be removed. Water can be softened with the Brita PRO Home system.
Let’s start with the definition of “hard water” to see why Brita filters aren’t effective in reducing the abrasiveness of the water. How to soften water and the practical applications of Brita filters will also be covered.
Also Read: Springwell vs Pelican water conditioner
Water Hardness- What Is It?
The presence or absence of dissolved calcium and magnesium determines the hardness of the water. Hardness increases when calcium and magnesium ions are present. Others prefer the flavor that the dissolved minerals provide to hard water, so it’s not always a terrible idea to have it in the house. Nonetheless, it may result in certain issues.
To give just one example, hard water can:
- Hinder your ability to create suds when washing dishes or your hands.
- There is a risk of buildup on faucets and the shower door.
- And if you have hard water, you may notice that your laundry doesn’t come out quite as clean.
Does Brita Filter Hard Water?
The Brita pitcher is the most widely used water filtration product. Two different types of filter cartridges, the Standard filter, and the LongLast+ filter are available for the pitchers. The LongLast+ filter is superior to the Standard filter in terms of the number of impurities it can remove, but neither filter is capable of alleviating the effects of hard water.
Brita filters are effective as filters, not softeners, and this is the most important point to remember.
This means that toxins like chlorine (taste and odor), mercury, lead, asbestos, benzene, cadmium, and copper can be filtered out of drinking water, however, water softening is not one of their capabilities.
Confusing matters further, Brita water filters do employ an ion exchange filter resin, and as anyone familiar with water softening processes will tell you, this process often involves the elimination of calcium and magnesium. However, the ion exchange filter in this instance is only effective against copper, zinc, and cadmium.
Activated carbon made from coconut shells, like that used by Brita
Brita water filters are only effective at getting rid of short-term hardness, such as calcium bicarbonate, and not long-term hardness, like calcite.
Does Brita Make a Water Softener Filter?
There is a Brita PRO Home Water Softening System that may be used to soften water in the home.
When you sign up for a Brita PRO system, the company will analyze your water consumption habits for four weeks to determine how much-softened water you will need. Then, an approach tailored to your needs will be proposed. This filtering scheme is designed to get rid of lead, chlorine, particles, and everything else that might be in your water supply.
If your water profile shows that you have hard water, you can have an ion-exchange softener installed in your home.
By the NSF/ANSI 44 Standard, this softener has been approved for use.
With its programmable head, ion exchange may be controlled to maintain consistently soft water. Modifying the filter’s settings can help improve the rate at which the brine tank is refilled. This system can be customized to your household’s specific water requirements with the addition of optional filters.
With The Brita Filter, Can You Run Hard Water?
A Brita filter can be used with hard water. However, scale deposits will eventually form due to the calcium and magnesium ions in hard water. The Brita pitcher, bottle, and dispenser are susceptible to the accumulation of scale (or limescale) on the filter and within the filter housing region. The filter may be cleaned and the scale removed, but the mineral damage is irreversible.
Regular filters used with hard water need to be changed more often than recommended by the manufacturer.
Scale can build up on the interior of your filtration device if you don’t clean it frequently, preventing it from functioning at peak efficiency.
Pro Tip:
It is not recommended to use a traditional Brita filter on particularly hard water for a long period of home items, but notably, humidifiers, will suffer damage from using hard water, and we advise against using it for cleaning purposes as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Calcium in the water get cleaned out by the portafilter?
Extremely high calcium levels in water have been shown to alter its flavor. Over time, calcium can cause scales to grow on water jugs, making them cumbersome to use. When water passes through a Brita filter, calcium is removed from it safely, enhancing the water’s flavor and suppleness.
Does Brita wash away water softener salt?
You can’t get rid of salt from your water with a Brita filter. No proof using a Brita water filter will get rid of salt in the water.
Which filtration methods succeed in softening the water supply?
Reverse osmosis is the only water filtering technology capable of reducing hardness since it can eliminate nearly all of the water’s dissolved solids. However, if you use a RO membrane with hard water for an extended period, the membrane will deteriorate.
Final Words
What do you think now that you’ve read the complete article: Does Brita filter hard water? Furthermore, is this filtered water okay to use and drink?
There is some truth to both of these questions. Filtering hard water with a standard Brita requires additional cartridges and an ion exchange filter. Furthermore, although Brita can filter hard water with the use of these filters, the filtering procedure is not very effective.
And in this article, I have tried to address those concerns. I trust that you have thoroughly grasped them.