Ever notice your soap just refuses to lather? You stand there, pumping away, and all you get is a sad, watery mess. That’s hard water flexing its calcium muscles.
Soft water gives you billowy, luxurious suds. Hard water gives you a film that feels like you’re washing with skim milk. If your shower gel acts lazy, your water is probably hard.
The “Squeak” Test
After you rinse, does your skin feel squeaky? Like, astronaut-dry-moon-dust squeaky? That tight, stripped feeling isn’t “clean.” It’s hard water minerals clinging to you like a jealous ex.
Run your hand down your arm. If it feels grippy instead of smooth, your water is leaving a mineral film. Your moisturizer is crying for backup.