"Hard water also makes it more difficult to...rinse off in the shower - another sign of hard water is a slightly slimy feeling when trying to rinse the soap lather off"

Gotta disagree with ya BB420. I have hard water (no water softener) and the soap in the shower will rinse off easily. When I go back to visit my Mom she has soft water (has a water softener) and it feels like I never can get the soap all off in the shower. Feels slimy. I think you got those turned around.