Can you use hard water in a washing machine?

Are you seeing a white residue on your dark clothes after washing? It may be a sign you are using hard water to wash clothes. Hard water is not only rough on your clothes but also shortens the lifespan of your appliances. It leaves a white film on the inside of a dishwasher and a similar buildup appears on your shower head, but hard water isn’t that uncommon.

Hard water is a natural phenomenon in many places and it is even more persistent in India with most reports indicating it is an omnipresent problem in our country. Even though it is a problem, you might be wondering whether it is safe to use hard water in a washing machine. Here’s what you need to know about hard water and how it affects your washing machine.

What is hard water and how does it affect your laundry?

Hard water is water that contains variable levels of dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium. The hardness of water depends on the amount of magnesium, calcium, and other minerals present per gallon of water. The higher the mineral content, the harder the water will be, and it is not a problem that exists only in India but is a very common phenomenon around the world.

While hard water should not be used as drinking water, it should also be avoided for laundry. The high mineral content in hard water can affect your laundry in a number of ways and the most common being the discolouration of your clothes. The use of hard water fades your coloured clothing and turns your whites into grey.

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Hard water also makes your clothes feel stiff and scratchy, leaving an unpleasant experience. The real challenge of using hard water in washing machines is that it makes your detergent less efficient in combating oil and residue buildup. This means your washing experience will never be as clean as it should be.

Can you use hard water in a washing machine?

Well, the simple answer to this question is yes, you can use hard water in a washing machine. The more appropriate question is whether you should use hard water in a washing machine. The use of hard water won’t destroy your washing machine but it will certainly reduce the life span with some estimates claiming hard water reduces the lifespan of a washing machine by up to three years.

Hard water when used in a washing machine can cause mineral buildup in the water filters and also destroys certain components. This will restrict water flow into your machine and cause a breakdown. Even with a partial blockage, your washing machine will have to work harder to get your laundry clean and the added stress will lead to wear and tear.

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The other impact of hard water on your washing machine will come in the form of reduced energy efficiency. Even if you have bought a high-efficiency washing machine, you won’t get the same energy efficiency as you would with soft water. The reduced efficiency will result in higher electricity bills and your washing machine will also require frequent maintenance and repair.

Solutions to your hard water problem

If you are not sure whether you are getting hard water then you can get a test kit to see if your water supply is hard. Once you find out if you get hard water, you can do a few things to help your washing machine work better and improve the lifespan of your machine.

1. Check if the supply is actually hard water

To check if you are dealing with the effects of hard water or some other issue affecting your washing machine, you need to examine the water filter. This is the filter located at the water fill/inlet valve on the back of your washer, where the hot and cold water lines connect. Remove this filter and clean with a soft brush and if you see a buildup of mineral deposits rather than debris then it’s likely a byproduct of hard water.

2. Use a water softener

An ideal solution to your hard water problem is a water softener, which works by removing all the dissolved minerals from your water before they make their way into your appliances. You can either get a whole-home solution to prevent all your appliances or get one only for your washing machine. Here are some of the advantages of water softeners you need to know.

One thing is clear: hard water won’t break your washing machine but it will reduce the lifespan of your washing machine. Apart from impacting your appliance, it will also affect your clothes. In order to extend the lifespan of your washing machine and ensure your clothes remain in good shape, a water softener is an effective solution.