0–60 mg/L (0–3.5 gpg): soft
Fix: nothing. USGS calls this soft. A softener solves no hardness problem here.
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What should you do about hard water?
Start with a number, not a sales pitch. Find your hardness, pick it below, and see the fix that fits.
Decision guide
Step 1: get your number. Look in your water utility's annual water quality report (how to read it) or test your tap. On a private well, test it, because no one else reports for you.
Step 2: pick your range. 1 grain per gallon (gpg) ≈ 17.1 mg/L (ppm) as calcium carbonate. More on units.
61–120 mg/L (3.5–7 gpg): moderately hard
Fix: usually nothing whole-house. Wipe fixtures, descale kettles with vinegar, use rinse aid in the dishwasher. EPA treats water above 120 mg/L as “generally considered hard”, and this range sits below that.
121–180 mg/L (7–10.5 gpg): hard
Fix: optional. EPA says water over 120 mg/L “may benefit from softening.” If scale on your water heater, fixtures or glassware bothers you, a softener is a reasonable choice. If you only want less scale and can't or don't want to use salt, look at a certified salt-free conditioner.
Over 180 mg/L (over 10.5 gpg): very hard
Fix: a whole-house softener is the usual answer. EPA notes softeners “are often recommended when hardness exceeds 180 mg/L or 10 gpg.” Look for NSF/ANSI 44 certification and size it to your hardness and water use.
Only bothered by your hair or skin in the shower? Most shower filters are built and certified to reduce chlorine, not hardness. Read do shower filters soften water? before you buy one.
Where to look for options
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Sources
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