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Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Differences Between Soft Water and Hard Water

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gpt
Hard water: lots of minerals (typically calcium and magnesium) dissolved in the water.

Soft water: less minerals dissolved in the water.

Now, why does it matter? Because minerals dissolved in water can sometimes crystallizes and no longer be dissolved in the water. This process is called precipitation. If it does it in your pipe, faucet, shower-head etc, it can accumulate and damage the pipe and the faucet.