Do you have hard or soft water? How to find out...

About 85% of homes have hard water in the U.S. 

Hard water has more minerals in it which your plants may love - but which can also make every day tasks more of a chore. To find out if you have hard water, you can buy a test kit at a home improvement or hardware store for under $20. There are also a few simple tricks you can try without a kit:

* Microwave a mug of water, bringing it to a boil. Place a tea bag in there and let it steep for a few minutes. If your tea is clear, you’ve got soft water. If it has a film on top or appears cloudy, you’ve got hard water.

* Fill a plastic bottle halfway with water. Add a few drops of dish detergent and give it a good shake. If it fills with lather right away, your water is soft. The longer you have to shake, the harder your water is.

You can also determine hard water by white deposits left on faucets and in pots you boil water in. If you do have hard water, you may want to invest in renting or buying a water softening tank which connects to your water supply line.