Cause of Hard Water

• Hard water is caused because minerals soak through into the water supply in the ground and are dissolved in the water, these minerals include magnesium and calcium. Water is considered "harder" when it has a higher concentration of these minerals. Conversely, water is "soft" when it has a low concentration of minerals. Hard water is not hazardous, but it can cause problems for pipes and cleaning.
  
  

Causes of Scum

• The mineral content in the water stops soap, detergents and cleansers from lathering properly. This is partially what causes soap scum to build up; the soap's inability to lather causes it to not clean properly. The hard water also causes builds up inside pipes and around fixtures. This build up is mostly brown and white, and does not come off easily with regular bathroom cleaners.
  
  

Cleaning Hard Water Residue

• As mentioned before, hard water build up and soap scum does not come off easily. However, there are many products available for removing soap scum and hard water build up. If you are looking for a cheaper way to clean the residue, you can use a 50/50 vinegar and water mixture to clean. Adding baking soda and using the mixture as a paste can increase the effectiveness of the cleaning.
  
  

Preventing Hard Water

• Higher temperatures usually cause the water to be harder, so one easy way to reduce the mineral content in your water is to reduce the temperature of the boiler to 131 degrees Fahrenheit. To help hinder the build up of hard water scum, wipe down the shower after you are finished bathing to stop moisture from building up.