You have options. A water softener is the nuclear option—it swaps calcium for sodium. Suddenly your water feels like a cloud.
Or you can just embrace the hardness. Buy a descaler for your coffee maker. Use more soap. Call it “rustic water.”
But honestly? Unless your ppm is over 300, you’re probably fine. It’s not like your water is going to walk up to you and punch you in the face.
It’s just a little crunchy. And honestly, a little crunch never hurt anybody. Except your espresso machine.
The final verdict?
The ideal ppm for most people is between 30 and 60. That’s the sweet spot. But life is messy, and so is your tap water.
Don’t obsess over the number. If your water tastes fine and doesn’t leave your skin feeling like sandpaper, you’re winning.
And if you are obsessing? Buy a test kit. Spend $10. Then you can officially say, “My water is 200 ppm, and I am dealing with it.”
Now go drink a glass of water. Hard, soft, or somewhere in between—you’ll survive. Just don’t forget to clean your kettle.
