TempoLife › A healthier home › tap-water
Tap water and water hardness
Across most of Europe, tap water is safe, tested and far cheaper and greener than bottled. Whether it is "hard" or "soft" is about dissolved minerals — mostly calcium and magnesium — not about how safe it is.
Hard water is not unhealthy
Hard water simply carries more calcium and magnesium, which are minerals your body needs anyway. It furs up kettles and leaves spots on glasses, but it is not a health problem. Soft water lathers more easily and is kinder to appliances. Neither is a reason to switch to bottled water.
When to check
If your water comes from a private well rather than a public supply, it is worth testing it periodically. And if a public supplier ever issues a boil notice, follow it until they lift it. Otherwise, your local water utility publishes a quality report you can look up.
| Classification | mg/L as CaCO₃ | German degrees (°dH) |
|---|---|---|
| Soft | 0–60 | 0–3.4 |
| Moderately hard | 60–120 | 3.4–6.7 |
| Hard | 120–180 | 6.7–10 |
| Very hard | over 180 | over 10 |
More on a healthier home
Bedroom temperature for sleep
A cool room helps you fall asleep and stay asleep. The usual sweet spot is around 16–19 °C.
Indoor humidity and mould
Aim for 30–50% relative humidity. Above 60% invites mould and dust mites; below 30% dries you out.
Radon in the home
An invisible ground gas that builds up indoors in some areas. The only way to know your level is to test.
Ventilation and indoor air (CO₂)
Stuffy air is mostly a ventilation problem. Rising CO₂ tracks it and dents concentration.
Source: General building-health guidance (WHO indoor-air and radon references and national health and water authorities). · checked 2026-09-04
Frequently asked questions
Is hard water bad for you?
No. The extra calcium and magnesium in hard water are harmless and even count toward your mineral intake. The downsides are limescale in kettles and appliances and less lather from soap, not your health.
Should I drink bottled water instead?
In a country with safe public tap water, there is no health reason to. Tap water is tested more often than bottled, costs almost nothing and avoids plastic. A simple carbon filter jug fixes taste if that is the issue.
See what actually improves your sleep
TempoLife tracks sleep, hydration and more, so a change at home becomes a visible trend.