Bathing with soap in hard water leaves a film of sticky soap curd on the skin. The film may prevent soil
and bacteria from being removed. Soap curd interferes with the return of skin to normal, slightly acid
condition and may lead to irritation. Soap curd on hair may make it dull, lifeless and difficult to manage.
When doing laundry in hard water, soap curds lodge in fabric during washing to make fabric stiff and
rough. Incomplete soil removal from laundry causes graying of white fabric and the loss of brightness in
colors. A sour odor can develop in clothes. Continuous laundering in hard water can shorten the life of
clothes.