Hard water is a common problem in many households and it can have a big impact on your home if left unchecked. In particular, hard water causes damage to household appliances such as boilers, kettles and electric showers and can even add significantly to your energy usage. It can also affect how you wash your clothes because of the impact of hard water on washing machines. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the effects of hard water on washing machines and how to prevent damage from occurring.
What Is Hard Water?
Hard water is water that has a high mineral content, usually caused by calcium and magnesium deposits. These minerals can build up in pipes, fixtures, and appliances over time, leading to problems like clogged drains and reduced water pressure. Hard water can also cause damage to washing machines due to the build-up of limescale within the water-bearing mechanisms. Depending on where you are in the UK, water hardness can vary significantly.
How Does Hard Water Damage Washing Machines?
Hard water can damage washing machines in several ways. The minerals in hard water can build up inside the machine over time in the form of limescale, causing corrosion and reducing the efficiency of the machine. The minerals can also cause soap scum to form on the interior of the machine, which can lead to clogs and other issues. When soap mixes with hard water, it can create a sticky residue that can clog the machine’s pipes and cause water to back up into the machine’s drum. This can lead to mould growth, and foul odours. In addition, hard water can leave behind residue on clothing after a wash cycle is complete. In a study commissioned by the Water Quality Association in 2009, the lifespan of a washing machine is significantly reduced by hard water. By using softer behaving water, you could see the lifespan of your washing machine increase by 40%.
Preventing Damage From Hard Water
Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to prevent damage from hard water in your washing machine:
- Use a water conditioner: A water conditioner will alter the way that water behaves in your plumbing and appliances. Unlike water softeners, the Halcyan Water Conditioner makes hard water behave like soft water so that you get all the benefits of softer water, without the negative impact of using water softeners.
- Clean regularly: Regularly cleaning your washing machine will help remove any residue or build-up that has already accumulated inside the machine.
- Use less detergent: Using too much detergent when you wash clothes with hard water can lead to soap scum build-up inside your machine. To prevent this from happening, use less detergent than you normally would when using hard water for laundry.
- Use distilled or filtered water: If possible, use distilled or filtered water instead of tap water for laundry when dealing with hard water problems. This will help reduce mineral build-up inside your washing machine and keep it running smoothly for longer periods of time.
Conclusion
Hard water can be damaging to washing machines if not properly addressed. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to prevent damage from occurring such as using a water conditioner or filtered/distilled water for laundry and cleaning your washer regularly. By taking these precautions, you’ll be able to keep your washer running smoothly for years to come!
If you’d like to find out more about the Halcyan Water Conditioner, you can explore our Knowledge Centre and find out how it works here. You can call our expert team on 0345 504 0656 for more information on whether you have hard water and how you can benefit from installing a Halcyan.
Why choose Halcyan?
Halcyan Water Conditioners is a British company based in Bristol and our alloy-based solution to hard water is unique to the UK. Unlike water softeners, our alloy-based Water Conditioner is an eco-friendly, people-friendly solution to hard water and its impact on your washing machine. With our 30 Year Warranty and our 12 Month Money Back Performance Guarantee, you can enjoy laundered clothes that are always clean and fresh – as well as peace of mind that our little device is taking care of your washing machine too!
