Depending on where you live, your home may have hard or soft water. Many homeowners dislike hard water because it can clog plumbing fixtures and leave behind a residue. However, soft water can also be a nuisance. If you take a shower, you’ll likely notice that soft water feels slimy. No matter how many times you try to rinse off, you will still notice a slimy sensation when your home has soft water.
Why Does Soft Water Feel Slimy?
Normally, hard water contains calcium, magnesium, and other minerals. When you shower, you’re actually feeling residue from these minerals on your skin.
However, soft water doesn’t have these minerals. Because of this, your skin feels slippery and slimy. While it feels weird, showering with soft water is better for your skin because you don’t need to use nearly as much soap to get a decent lather.
How To Avoid Feeling Slippery With Soft Water
Fortunately, there are ways you can mitigate the slimy feeling that happens when you shower with soft water. The following tips can help you enjoy a comfortable shower or bath.
Use Less Soap
The first option is to use less soap or shampoo. You don’t need to use as much product to get the same lather when you have soft water. If you try to use the same amount, you’ll end up feeling a slippery sensation on your skin. Typically, you should use half of the normal amount or less. If you still notice the same slippery sensation, you may need to limit your soap usage even more.
Experiment With Different Body Washes and Shampoos
Some soaps and shampoos are less likely to produce a slippery sensation. Over time, you can test out different products to see if any of them work better for soft water.
For example, some people try making their own soap at home. Natural soap doesn’t have as many chemicals and water-softening agents, so it is less slippery. In particular, water-softening agents are not good if you already have soft water at your home.
Discover Water Conditioning Options
At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, we help local residents with plumbing maintenance and repairs. During a maintenance appointment, one of our plumbers can talk to you about the type of water your home has. Then, we can make recommendations about the best upkeep for your system and how to mitigate soft water.
If you’re interested in learning more about water conditioners and plumbing maintenance plans, reach out to one of our team members today.