Concept:
Water hardness is caused by dissolved multivalent metal ions, mainly calcium and magnesium ions.
Step 1:
Hard water does not lather easily with soap
and forms scum during washing.
Step 2:
The chief ions causing hardness are Ca$^{2+}$ and Mg$^{2+}$.
Step 3:
Bicarbonates, chlorides, and sulfates of calcium and magnesium
commonly occur in natural water.
Step 4:
Dissolved oxygen, sodium salts, and suspended solids
do not mainly produce hardness.
Step 5:
Hence, the main source of hardness is calcium and magnesium salts.