What is hard water?

You have probably heard the terms “hard water” and “soft water,” but what do those terms really mean? The tap water in your home contains dissolved minerals; the level of the mineral content, specifically calcium and magnesium, is what determines the “hardness” of your water. The higher the mineral content, the harder the water is.

Do you know if you have hard water?

If you notice white buildup on your shower head, difficulty getting shampoo to lather, or find your clothes feel stiff or look dingy coming out of the wash, you may have hard water. You can find out how hard your water is by contacting the utility provider in your area; or, if your property runs on a well, you can get the water tested yourself. The map below shows average water hardness by region, measured as dissolved calcium carbonate in milligrams per liter.  The general scale for water hardness is as follows: 0 to 60 mg/L is classified as soft; 61 to 120 mg/L as moderately hard; 121 to 180 mg/L as hard; and more than 180mg/L as very hard. It is estimated that up to 85% of US residents have hard water.

Water Map Source: https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/map-water-hardness-united-states

Why does it matter?

While having additional minerals in your water can be great for your health, it is not great for cleaning or for your home. Hard water can cause mineral buildup in your plumbing lines, faucets and fixtures, and in your dishwasher and washing machine.  It can also reduce the performance of soaps and detergents by binding to their cleaning ingredients, resulting in the need to use more detergent to get the desired level of performance. You may know that hard water causes water spots and residue on dishes, but did you know hard water can also damage fabrics and clothes over time? This happens when mineral deposits gradually build up on clothing, weakening and discoloring the fabric.

How to boost performance of detergents in hard water areas?

Our recommendation differs a little between the dishes and laundry, so let’s break it down based on application.

For Your Dishwasher:

First, use a high-quality detergent like our Clean People Dishwasher Detergent Packs with water-softening agents, which will minimize the effect of hard water during the wash cycle.

For extra defense against hard water, use vinegar! Because vinegar is highly acidic, it creates a charge in the mineral particles causing them to attract to the water molecules and be easily washed away. We recommend running a vinegar rinse in your dishwasher once per month and before switching to a new detergent-especially when switching from conventional detergents to an eco-responsible one! If you have tried a new detergent in your dishwasher and noticed water spots and residue on dishes, the problem is likely to be hard water; using a vinegar rinse can help! Here is how to try this simple trick:

1. Start with an empty dishwasher.  Pull out the bottom rack and remove any bits of food that may be stuck to the bottom of the washer. Replace the rack when done.
2. Find and remove your filter.  Rinse under hot water, scrub with dish soap and a soft cloth or toothbrush to remove grease and particles, then lock back into your washer.
3. Fill a dishwasher-safe mug or bowl with a cup of distilled white vinegar and place it on the top rack.  For an extra boost, add ½ a capful of Clean People Cleaner Concentrate to the vinegar. Now run your dishwasher on a normal hot water cycle without detergent. Never put vinegar in the detergent dispenser as it may damage internal components!
4. Once this is complete and the dishwasher has cooled down, wipe down the door and bottom of the washer with a soft cloth, and you are done!

For Your Washing Machine:

Hard water minerals bind to ingredients in laundry detergent, which means you may have to use up to a third more detergent than you would in soft water conditions! It’s also recommended to wash your clothing on the highest water temperature that’s acceptable for the fabric being washed. We know that neither of these options are good for your budget or the planet, so we suggest using a high-quality laundry detergent that contains non-ionic surfactants, like our Clean People Laundry Detergent Sheets and Ultra Concentrated Laundry Pods. These non-ionic surfactants, which are typically not found in powdered detergents, are less likely to bind to hard water minerals, freeing up more cleaning power to get the job done.

For most fabrics that can be washed in the washing machine, you can use vinegar during the rinse cycle periodically to soften and reduce mineral build up.  Simply add up to ½ cup of white distilled vinegar where you would normally add fabric softener. Don’t worry! Your clothes won’t come out smelling like vinegar!  Vinegar is not recommended on wool, chiffon, velvet, silk, rayon or acetate fabrics. Always check the garment’s label for specific care instructions.

Lastly, a clean washing machine runs and smells better, so remember to run a cleaning cycle on your washing machine at least once per month using our Clean People Washing Machine Cleaner Tablets. This will keep your washer components free from hard water-related soap scum build up, which can reduce water pressure and performance. Follow these easy steps to keep your washing machine looking, smelling, and running like new!

1. Open the convenient single tablet packet and place the tablet in the empty washer drum. Do not put the tablet in the dispensing tray!
2. Run a washing machine cleaning cycle if the machine has one; and if not, run a regular wash cycle with hot water.
3. Once the cycle is complete, gently pull back the rubber door seal and wipe down with a towel or sponge.
4. Continue with your normal laundry routine and enjoy clean, bright, fresh-smelling clothes each time!