Article Highlights:
Hard water is common throughout the country, and it can make cleaning and bathing less effective and enjoyable. If installing a water softener isn’t an option, or you want some extra improvements in the shower, a filtered showerhead is an easy upgrade.
Table of Contents:
- What Is Hard Water?
- How Do I Know If I Have Hard Water?
- What Is Soft Water?
- Is a Filtered Showerhead the Same as a Water Softener?
- How Canopy Can Make Your Showers Feel More Effective and Comfortable
- FAQ
You’ve probably heard people mention the harshness of hard water or how they prefer soft water in their homes, but what does that mean exactly? Essentially, these terms to the mineral content of a home's water. For your family’s well-being, it’s important to know the difference between hard water vs. soft water, how each impacts your home and personal care, and what solutions are available to make bathing more comfortable and enjoyable.
What Is Hard Water?
Simply put, water is considered hard when it contains significant amounts of magnesium and calcium. Your tap water comes from ground and surface water sourced from reservoirs, lakes, and streams. As water flows, it passes through mineral deposits, which then dissolve.
The amount of dissolved mineral content is what makes water hard. It’s typically measured in milligrams per liter1:
- Moderate hard water is between 61–120 mg/L
- Hard water is 121–180 mg/L
- Very hard water is anything over 180 mg/L
More than 85% of homes in the U.S. may have hard water according to the U.S. Geological Survey2.
How Do I Know If I Have Hard Water?
While the best way to know for sure is through your municipal system’s annual water quality report online or, in the case of well water, annual tests, there are also telltale signs.
Soap Scum
When dissolved calcium combines with detergents, shampoos, or soaps, it forms a sticky film that’s difficult to remove. This film sticks to your hair, scalp, and skin. It also clings to dishes, clothes, and can cause problems with plumbing and appliances over time3.
Decrease in Soap Effectiveness
Hard water also makes soap difficult to lather, so you wind up using more without much effect. Ultimately, that means your hair and body are not getting as clean as you might think. Pair that with the lingering residue, and it’s no wonder your hair feels dry and lifeless while skin appears dull or irritated4.
Mineral Stains
If calcium and magnesium are high, you may notice stains wherever water flows in your home, which can make cleaning a nuisance3.
Dry Hair, Scalp & Skin
If you’re experiencing dryness, irritation, or signs of inflamed skin, or buildup on your scalp and brittle hair (especially if it's dyed), hard water may be a contributing factor3.
What Is Soft Water?
If hard water refers to the amount of calcium, magnesium, and other minerals in your water supply, what is soft water? Soft water is water with mineral levels at or below 60 mg/L. Some areas of the U.S. naturally have soft water, but in places with hard water, it’s achieved with a whole-home water softener. These systems swap out calcium and magnesium by running the water through a tank filled with resin beads. As the hard water flows through, the beads grab the calcium and magnesium ions and replace them with sodium or potassium ions4.
Is a Filtered Showerhead the Same as a Water Softener?
No, a filtered showerhead is not the same as a water softener. Shower filters reduce the prevalence of chlorine and chloramines, as well as excess mineral content, which can help your hair, scalp, and skin look and feel better. Water softeners directly impact water hardness. If you have hard water and the ability to do so, it can be beneficial to filter and soften your water.
How Canopy Can Make Your Showers Feel More Effective and Comfortable
Once you’ve determined the hardness or softness of your water, you can create a plan for how to upgrade one of the most important parts of your wellness routine: your shower. Canopy is your choice for reimagined household devices that effortlessly optimize your home for beauty and wellness, from your bedroom oasis to your active family spaces. It’s time to enjoy water that’s cleaner, gentler, and better for you and your family with our innovative line of shower and tub filters.
Our Filtered Showerhead is easy to install and loved by hair pros and at-home users alike, and helps reduce chlorine and other common contaminants providing cleaner water that supports your hair and skin. Our tri-media filter* includes KDF-55*, a formulation of copper and zinc that chemically reduces contaminants**.
* - Tested to ANSI/NSF 177 Standard
** - The ingredients in our filtering media have been shown to help reduce chlorine, magnesium, calcium carbonate, iron, hydrogen sulfide, mercury, chromium, and chloramine. Filter is not independently tested for all contaminants, results will vary based on water, quality, and other factors.
Our Handheld Filtered Showerhead is perfect for those who want more flexibility and control during their shower with the same filtering capabilities.
For the best of both worlds, try The Shower System, which includes both the filtered fixed showerhead and the handheld version. It’s perfect for bathing little ones and pets.
If you have little ones at home, our Baby Bath Tub Filter doubles as a protective spout cover to help lessen the impact of bumps and takes the guesswork out of bathtime with a color-changing temperature indicator and filtered water for a gentler experience.
The Mini Filtered Showerhead is compact, easy-to-install, and a wonderful option for renters who want to upgrade their skincare and wellness routine.
FAQ
What is the difference between hard water and soft water?
The difference between hard water and soft water comes down to mineral content. Hard water has a higher concentration of minerals like calcium and magnesium.
Can hard water cause hair loss?
Though hard water is not a direct cause of hair loss, it does block moisture that’s essential to elasticity and shine, prevents effective cleansing, weighs hair down, causes an itchy, irritated scalp, and ultimately causes brittleness5.
How do I know if I have hard water?
The easiest way to know for sure if you have hard water is to look up your city’s water quality report or have your water tested. However, telltale signs include dry skin, scalp, and hair, a lingering residue, mineral stains in the home, and ineffective soaps and detergents.
Is a shower filter the same as a water softener?
No, a shower water filter for hard water is not the same as a water softening device. Usually, these are whole-home systems that remove mineral content at the source by swapping out calcium and magnesium ions for sodium.
Does a shower filter remove hard water?
While shower filters do not remove hard water, our Showerhead and Tub Filters use multi-stage filtration to help reduce chlorine and other common contaminants* for cleaner, gentler water.
* - Filter is not independently tested for all contaminants, results will vary based on water, quality, and other factors.
Sources:
- Sy, P. and Nahvi, F.A. (25 February 2026). Hard Water vs. Soft Water: What’s the Difference, and Which Is Better for You? GoodRx. Retrieved September 8, 2026, from https://www.goodrx.com/health-topic/environmental/hard-water-vs-soft-water
- Water Resources Mission Area. (1975). Map of water hardness in the United States. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved September 8, 2026, from https://www.webmd.com/diet/difference-between-hard-soft-water
- Roland, J. (30 July 2019). Hard Water vs. Soft Water: Which Is Healthier? Healthline. Retrieved September 8, 2026, from https://www.healthline.com/health/hard-water-and-soft-water
- Brewer Grossman, K. (7 August 2026). Hard Water vs. Soft Water: How To Tell Which One You Have At Home. Southern Living. Retrieved September 8, 2026, from https://www.southernliving.com/hard-water-vs-soft-water-whats-the-difference-12033882
- Duggan, C. (8 March 2023). Can Hard Water Cause Hair Loss? We Asked Dermatologists. Byrdie. Retrieved September 8, 2026, from https://www.byrdie.com/hard-water-hair-loss-7152589
