The Truth About How Hard Water Is Ruining Your Laundry
Are your clothes stiff and scratchy when they come out of the dryer? Do new clothes look old and faded after a few washes? The truth is that it’s probably not your washing machine or detergent that’s the problem, but your water. Hard water is a common problem for many Americans, but most homeowners live with the effects thinking there’s little they can do to solve the problem. Let’s look at how hard water is destroying your laundry and what you can do about it.
What Is Hard Water?
Before we understand how hard water affects your clothes and washing machine, it’s helpful to understand what hard water is. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, “water hardness is generally the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium in water.”
Some effects of hard water are visible, like the chalky calcium deposits that build up on your faucets and fixtures, while others are tactile, like when you feel a film on your skin after washing with soap. Hard water isn’t dangerous for humans to drink; the minerals are often beneficial; however, the minerals in hard water can wreak havoc in your home.
How Hard Water Ruins Your Washing Machine
A washing machine or any other water-based appliance can have difficulty dealing with hard water day in and out. The minerals in the water build up in machines like your washer, decreasing its performance and lifespan and increasing the repair frequency.
Not only does hard water affect the washer, but it also builds up in your plumbing, causing a reduction in water pressure and leading to clogs and bursts.
How Hard Water Ruins Your Clothes
Hard water is bad enough for your washing machine, but it also makes a mess of your clothes, and here’s why. The minerals in the water build up on the surface of your clothing during the wash. These minerals can make it difficult for soap and detergents to work properly, which means your clothes don’t get clean as quickly or as effectively as they should. Over time, this can lead to yellowing and fabric fading, frustrating when your brand new blouse or shirt starts looking old after two or three washes. And, it’s not just a matter of your clothes being faded and dingy; it’s also about the damage that hard water can cause to the fibers in your clothes. The minerals in the water can build up in the threads and won’t wash away, making them feel stiff and scratchy. Finally, the damage to the fibers causes your clothes to wear out more quickly as they weaken and tear.
How To Protect Your Clothes & Washer From Hard Water
The most effective way to protect your washing machine, your clothes, and your plumbing against the effects of hard water is by installing a water softener. Modern water softeners use ion exchange to remove calcium and magnesium deposits that gunk up your machines and pipes and ruin your clothes. These systems work by replacing the magnesium ions with salt and potassium without making your water taste salty.
Installing a whole home water softener provides additional benefits, too, including:
- Making your water taste and smell better
- Removing impurities making your water clear
- Making soap more effective, leaving you with softer skin and fuller hair
- Eliminating water spots on dishware and utensils left behind after washing
- Extending the lifespan of water-based appliances like coffee makers, washing machines, and dishwashers
- Protecting your plumbing and fixtures from unsightly and damaging mineral deposits
- Making your clothes brighter, softer, and longer lasting
Call Tri-Florida Water Treatment
At Tri-Florida Water Treatment, you can taste the difference almost immediately after installing a whole home water softener, and you’ll see the benefits almost as quickly. Our state-of-the-art system uses a dual tank process to remove the minerals and filter the water before it’s stored in a holding tank, ready for use. Our filter cartridges are user-replaceable, and our system is compatible with municipal and well water. If you’re sick and tired of dealing with the mess left behind from hard water running through your plumbing system and water-based appliances, or if you’re unsure if hard water is the source of your problems, call us for a free in-home water analysis and more information today at 863-965-1439.