Is soft water tastier than hard water?

With a water softener It removes the limescale from the water. How does this affect the taste? We’re often asked: Is soft water actually tastier than hard water? They always say there’s no accounting for taste. One person likes this, another likes that. Still, we were keen to find out what most people actually prefer: water with limescale or limescale-free water. That’s why we investigated what people really think of the taste of softened water.

Study on the taste of lime-free water

We asked more than 300 people what they thought of the taste of lime-free water. And what did we find? Most people prefer softened water. You can see the results of the survey in the chart below.

Explanatory notes on the study ‘Taste of water from a water softener’

The vast majority prefer soft water to hard water (62%). Only 11% find it less palatable, and 27% cannot taste any difference.

Does water taste the same everywhere in the Netherlands?

The taste of water depends on its composition. In the Netherlands, water companies draw on various sources, each of which has a different composition. It is not only the water hardness It varies, but there are also other minerals in tap water. You might be able to taste this difference. That’s why you might find the water in, say, Brabant tastes better than in Overijssel.

Does a water softener affect the taste?

Once you have a water softener, it removes all the limescale from the water. This can also affect the taste. Our research now shows that most people actually prefer limescale-free water to water with high limescale content. Only 11% find soft water less palatable than hard water. So yes, the taste can change as a result of a water softener, and most people find it more palatable. But as mentioned above, tastes differ.

Why choose limescale-free water?

As well as the taste of the water, there are many other reasons to choose limescale-free water. Why not take a look at the ‘The benefits of a water softener‘ or download the brochure below.