(ARA) - Ever wonder why dishes come out of the dishwasher with a filmy residue or why soap doesn't lather in the shower? It may be because your home has hard water.

Hard water, which is a build-up of natural minerals such as magnesium and calcium, is the culprit for many inconveniences including stained porcelain, frizzy hair and dry, itchy skin. But it's more than inconvenient: it's also costly. Hard water can cause water heaters to run up to 60 percent less efficiently than with softened water, and it can reduce the life span of other appliances.

It is estimated that more than 80 percent of homes across the country are affected by hard water. What is more staggering however, is that many homeowners do not know if they have hard water or how to detect it. Do you?

The amount of hardness varies in each water supply. However, the Salt Institute estimates that the equivalent of nearly 90 pounds of solid rock is brought into the average home by hard water each year. For an average family of four, that's the equivalent of a one-pound rock about every four days.

Hard water can have a serious impact on your pocketbook. It can shorten the life span of your appliances by as much as 30 percent, which can lead to costly repairs or replacement. That means a washing machine that should last 13 years may last only nine years because of hard water damage; a dishwasher that should last 10 years may last only seven, and a hot water heater that should last 11 to 13 years may last only eight or nine.

Another factor to consider is the high cost associated with repairing major appliances. How much would you be willing to pay to repair a 5-year-old washing machine? Replacement is often the best option once hard water has wreaked havoc on an appliance. By installing a water softener, you can add more than three years to the life of most of your appliances -- and save yourself the expense of replacing them sooner than expected.

According to Cargill Salt, maker of Diamond Crystal water softening products, whether you're washing dishes, clothes, or taking a shower, installing a water softener can make your life easier by eliminating potential hard water problems at their source.

How hard water affects you

* Hard on clothes -- Clothes washed in hard water tend to wear out 15 percent faster than those washed in soft water.

* Hard on washers -- The American Water Works Association has found that washing machines that use hard water can wear out up to 30 percent faster than those that use soft water.

* Hard on dishes -- Hard water can leave an unsightly film build-up on glasses and dishes.

* Hard on you -- When you bathe in hard water, deposits are left behind which may leave your hair looking dull and your skin dry. Shaving is also more difficult in hard water. And hard water leaves a filmy soap ring around bathroom fixtures, making bathroom and kitchen clean up more difficult.

* Hard on budgets -- Hard water requires much more soap, shampoo, or detergent than soft water, so your soap products don't stretch nearly as far.

Solve the problem

The first step in solving hard water problems is determining the hardness of your water. Consumers can call (800) 428-4244 for a free kit from Diamond Crystal water softening products, which includes an easy-to-use test strip, a coupon for a free bag of water softening salt and other helpful information. You also can speak with a representative who can answer general water softening questions and help you select softening salt that is right for your water type and softener.

Once you know your water's hardness, it may be time to install a water softener. Water softeners cost from $300 to $1,200 and can be installed by homeowners or by a professional. Once the unit is installed, it must be properly set to match household water usage. Some units can be set to regenerate only on demand, while others follow a regular cycle.

Make sure your water softener is always full of the proper salt. Without salt, a water softener is useless. Salt is necessary to regenerate the water softener's resin beads, which take the hardness out of your water.

Choosing the proper softening salt is important to get the best results from your water-softening unit. Various water-softening salts are produced for different types of water softeners and water quality problems.

For example, cabinet softeners can be more difficult to clean, so a higher purity salt, such as Diamond Crystal Pellets with Softener Care, should be used. Higher purity salt results in less build-up and less frequent cleaning. The water in some homes may also have high levels of iron, affecting the taste and causing discoloration. Many water-softening salts, such as Diamond Crystal Red Out Pellets with Iron Fighter, are produced with special additives to combat iron problems.

Also, don't forget to re-test your home's water supply at least once a year to ensure it is healthy. A hard water test strip is the quickest and easiest way to test your water.

Cargill Salt offers a full line of Diamond Crystal water softening products, including Pellets with Softener Care, Solar Salt Extra Coarse and Red Out Pellets with Iron Fighter. Cargill Salt also offers a variety of Diamond Crystal food salts and deicing products. For more information on Diamond Crystal products, visit the Cargill Web site at www.cargillsalt.com.