Do you use excessive amounts of detergent and fabric softeners in an attempt to make your laundry soft and as bright as possible? You might be shocked to hear that the source of the problem is most likely your water, rather than the washing machine or products you’re using.
Why hard water is making your laundry feel coarse and uncomfortable
Hard water contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which are the source of the laundry softness problems. The minerals mix with the detergent, forming a chalky residue that adheres to the washing. This residue hinders the detergent from lathering and cleaning the garments since it is difficult to properly rinse the residue off the fabrics. As a result, residual deposits cover your “clean” laundry, making it feel rough and dulling the colours.
How a water softener takes better care of your laundry
No residue for softer, brighter laundry
Soft water is gentle on fabrics as less detergent is needed and no residue is left on the fibres for them to feel softer and look brighter
Softened water removes stains easier
When you wash garments in soft water, the detergent can penetrate materials more easily and remove stains with greater success.
Clothes last longer with soft water
With the absence of minerals and residue, it helps protect the integrity of the clothes fibres, reducing the wear and tear caused by washing in hard water.
Save on detergent, fabric softener and descalers
When you install a water softener, you save money all around. You can use up to 42% less detergent in your washing since soft water causes detergent to lather and clean better. Fabrics feel naturally softer because they are no longer drying with residue from the wash, requiring less fabric softener, if any at all. Furthermore, soft water prevents limescale build up, so you will no longer need to descale your appliance.
There are numerous advantages to washing laundry with soft water
- Laundry is cleaner, brighter and will last longer
- Save on using less detergent, fabric softeners and descalers
- Gentler skin as clothes, towels and sheets are naturally softer
- Residue free fabrics cause less skin irritation
Stains removal is easier - Appliances are free from limescale making them more efficient
- Washing machines will last longer operating scale free
- Better for the environment, using less energy and fewer products
Laundry FAQ's
Commonly asked questions regarding the effects of hard and soft water on laundry
Why is my laundry stiff?
The stiffness or abrasive feeling you get after washing fabrics is because of the minerals in your hard water binding with the detergent and not completely rinsing off the laundry, leaving residue on the fabrics. This residue, when dry, causes the fabric to feel stiff or rough to the touch.
How to make clothes soft again?
Softening the main water supply to your washing machine will allow the laundry detergent to lather and rinse off better, leaving your clothes feeling soft again.
Is it better to wash clothes with soft water?
Yes, soft water washes clothes better than hard water because it is mineral-free. Minerals in hard water reduce detergent’s capacity to clean efficiently by forming soap scum that adheres to fibres. Soft water is also better for your washing machine, protecting it from limescale build-up.
How will softened water affect my washing machine?
Using softened water in your washing machine protects it from limescale damage, allowing it to heat water more efficiently and helping to extend the product’s lifespan.