How to wash clothes? You must be wondering why are we asking you this simple question. Everybody knows how to wash clothes! But what we are insinuating at is the type of water you use to wash clothes. Do you have an idea whether your water is hard or soft? Well, we are sure you don’t. Do you experience stubborn stains or some kind of odor in your clothes? If yes, then stay back and read this guide. Having stains on clothes or having a bad odor can be the result of hard water. Many people don’t know that there are two types of water that exist, i.e., hard water and soft water. The type of water that runs in your house makes a huge difference in the food you make, the clothes you wash, etc. It also affects the appearance of glasses, plates, cutlery, etc. If everything ruins in your house, then it is probably because of hard water.
So, what is hard water? Well, hard water is defined as water that has high mineral content. This kind of water is formed when water filters through the deposits of limestones, gypsum, chalk, etc. Hard water largely comprises of calcium, bicarbonate, sulfates, and magnesium. Well, hard water is safe for drinking as it has various health benefits. But when it comes to washing clothes, below are a few ways through which you can determine whether the water in your house is hard or soft.
Ways to determine Hard Water
Hard water can be determined in various ways. But here are some that you can try.
- Spots are clearly visible after you wash your dishes.
- The stains are not removed while washing clothes.
- A residue appears on your hands after washing your hands. A soap or shampoo does not generate much lather. So, if there’s a residue left on your hands, then this might be hard water.
- If your clothes have grey or white streaks, they tear easily, turn yellow, or feel stiff, then you have hard water running through your pipes.
- Interestingly, soaps react with the calcium in hard water and lead to soap scum. It is a condition wherein it is really hard to clean glassware, plates, clothes, and even your body.
So, these are some of the ways in which you can determine if the water is hard or soft. If the opposite of the points mentioned above happens, then your water is probably soft. But we have to agree to a point that the culprit behind scratchy fabrics, bad odors, and stubborn stains is no one but hard water. Having known the ways to determine hard water, let us now look at how to wash clothes in hard water.
How to wash clothes in Hard Water
Dealing with hard water can be quite frustrating and exhausting. But there are various steps that can be taken in order to wash clothes easily in hard water. So, let us look at those points!
- Add more laundry detergent
If you are washing clothes in hard water, then it is important that you put extra detergent than your normal quantity. The more the detergent, the more easily your clothes will be washed. The minerals in the hard water react with the detergent leaving less cleaning residue for your clothes. This will help you in having enough ingredients available for washing after the minerals are diluted with the detergent. Thus, adding more detergent can actually help clean your clothes effortlessly.
- Use a high-quality detergent
Another way to wash clothes with hard water is to use some high-quality detergent. Such detergents work harder in hard water. Select a detergent with low pH because it will help in dissolving the minerals and further eliminate all the hard water buildup. For instance, some detergents are packed with vinegar. It is good because such detergents help in eliminating bad odors and residue from the clothes. There are other ingredients as well that can capture the minerals in hard water before they end up sticking on your clothes. That is why it is wiser to opt for liquid detergents if you are washing clothes with hard water.
- Use warm water
If you do laundry in warm water, it can help fight the adverse effects of hard water. Scientifically, increasing water temperature also increases the rate of chemical reactions that might actually benefit your washing. Always remember – the hotter the water, the better the cleaning. Warm water does not eradicate all hard water issues but there is definitely some improvement that you might see after washing. Thus, select warm water and a hot cycle for washing clothes.
- Install a water softener
The household issues caused by hard water can reach far beyond your laundry room. Therefore, you must install a water softener in your home to get rid of hard water stains. A water softener is a great tool when it comes to cleaning faucets and fixtures. Apart from that, you can also use a water filtration system as this might improve your laundry.
FAQs
- Is it ok to wash clothes with hard water?
It is absolutely fine to wash clothes with hard water. But you must follow the tips mentioned above in order to protect your clothes from damage.
- How to wash clothes in hard water?
Well, for washing clothes you can follow the ways mentioned above. One of the easiest ways to do laundry is by adding more detergent to it. You can try any of the ways mentioned and do effortless laundry.
- Does hard water shrink clothes?
Washing clothes in hard water can actually shrink and damage your clothes. The same goes with washing clothes in extremely hard water too. Hot water too damages your clothes.
- How can I soften water naturally for washing clothes?
You can add a small amount of laundry borax to the washing load to soften water naturally. This improves the overall process of doing laundry.
So, these are some of the points regarding how to wash clothes in hard water. Washing clothes in hard water can be a tedious task because the residue and odor remain. But don’t worry! through these tips you can easily wash clothes and get rid of all the stains!