You can do a few quick checks without buying anything. Boil a pot of water and let it cool—if you see a white, chalky residue (scale), you’ve got hard water. Not a health risk, but it’ll wreck your coffee maker and leave your hair feeling like straw.
Another trick: fill a clean, clear bottle halfway, shake it, and let it sit for an hour. If the water stays cloudy, or if a slimy film forms on top, you might have microbial contamination. (Yes, that’s a fancy way of saying “ew, germs.”)
And here’s a weird one: test the suds. Drop a bit of soap into your water and shake. If you get fluffy bubbles, your water is soft. If you get a weak, scummy mess, it’s hard. Your laundry detergent will thank you for knowing this—seriously, I’ve seen shirts survive longer.
How to Test Water Quality at Home: Your Complete Guide – World Water
