Do I have hard water? How to tell (without a test kit)
- ross milne
- Oct 20
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 21
Lemme guess - You’ve just had that realisation.
Maybe you’ve always wondered why there are white flakes floating in your tea. Or why no matter how many moisturising shampoos you try, your hair still feels dry and hard to manage. Then someone mentions “hard water” in passing… and suddenly, the penny drops.
So you Googled: “Do I have hard water?”
And here you are. First off, welcome! I’m here to hold your hand through your hard water awakening.
Want the short answer? If you live in the South of England — think Dorset, Hampshire, Surrey, Kent — there’s a good chance your water is on the harder side. But geography isn’t the only clue.
Hard water leaves signs all over your home. Kettles, taps, toilets, even your hair can tell the story. You just need to know what to look for.
Let’s break it down.
In this article:
First up: what actually is hard water?
Hard water is simply water that contains a higher amount of minerals, mainly calcium and magnesium. These minerals aren’t harmful to drink — but they are what leave white marks, soap scum, and that dreaded limescale behind.
In the UK, over 60% of homes have hard water. It’s especially common in the South and East of England, where rainwater filters through chalky limestone underground.
8 signs you’ve got hard water — no test kit needed
☕ 1. Floaty bits in your tea
You make a brew and notice white flakes bobbing around on the surface. That’s not just tea debris — it’s limescale from your kettle, dissolved into your water and reappearing once boiled.
🚿 2. Rough or dry-feeling hair (despite good products)
Tried all the smoothing shampoos and moisturising masks, but still dealing with frizz, flatness or breakage? Hard water minerals can leave residue behind, making hair harder to manage — and colour fade faster too.
🌴 3. Hair feels much better on holiday
You go away, wash your hair, and it suddenly feels amazing — smoother, silkier, and easier to style. That’s likely because you’ve left hard water behind and experienced soft water instead.
💧 4. Dry, tight, or irritated skin after showers
Hard water can disrupt your skin’s natural barrier, making it feel dry or itchy — especially if you have eczema, psoriasis, or sensitive skin.
🚽 5. Chalky marks on taps, sinks and toilets
Limescale leaves a cloudy white residue on chrome fittings and a crusty ring around the toilet bowl that scrubbing doesn’t always shift.
🧺 6. Laundry feels stiff or scratchy
Even after washing, towels and clothes can feel hard or rough. Hard water affects how detergent dissolves and rinses, so fabrics don’t come out as soft.
🍽️ 7. Smelly washing machine or dishwasher
If your appliances have started to pong — even when clean — it could be hard water residue building up inside and reacting with detergent or trapped food waste.
☁️ 8. Filmy residue on glassware or shower screens
No matter how well you clean, glasses come out spotty and your shower never seems truly clear. That’s mineral residue in action.
Want to be sure? Here’s how to double-check
If you’re seeing one or more of these signs, chances are you do have hard water — but if you want to double-check, here are two quick options:
Order a test strip – these from SimplexHealth are a great option from Amazon £3.99 ➡
Search your post code in an online checker like this one from Harvey Water Softeners
What to do next
If you’ve figured out your water is hard, there are a few simple ways to make it more manageable:
Descale regularly – use citric acid or vinegar on your kettle, shower head, and taps.
Try a shower filter – they’re easy to fit and can help reduce dryness and irritation.
Upgrade appliances – filtered kettles or dishwasher salt can reduce build-up.
Install a limescale inhibitor or water softener – for long-term protection, especially for boilers and pipework.
We’ve broken down all your options in this post: 4 Ways to Remove Limescale for Good.
If your kettle's crusty and your shower’s not doing your skin any favours, you’re probably living with hard water. The good news? Now that you know the signs, you can start making changes that’ll save your skin, your appliances — and your time.
Author bio: Lucinda is the founder of Hard Water Home, a UK-based blog helping households in hard water areas understand the challenges and solutions more easily — and make smarter choices for their health and home. Based in Poole, she also runs an award-winning plumbing company, giving her unique insight into how water quality affects our homes. Away from the desk, she’s happiest at the beach with her family and a good cup of coffee (minus the floaty bits!). More about us ➡
