Hard water deposits can build up on the fibers of your fabrics, making them feel stiff. Also, static electricity commonly affects homes with hard water. Stiff fabrics and static electricity combine to make your clothes feel very uncomfortable. A common solution is to use a lot of fabric softener and dryer sheets.
Fabric softener is not a hard water treatment. You may still find your clothing dirty-looking, stiff and rough after washing. Fabric softener can combine with the chemicals in your water to contribute to the soap scum.
Without a water softener, you need to launch an attack against the minerals every time you run a load. For this mission, vinegar is the superhero you need. Add a quarter cup of vinegar to each load to help cut the minerals and prevent them from building up.
Skip using fabric conditioner when washing cashmere, moisture-wicking activewear, and more. Caroline is a freelance writer for MarthaStewart.com.
When washing with hard water, good detergents include extra ingredients that soften the water so the rest can get to work removing the real stains. This is why you'll need to use more detergent to soften the water if you live in a hard water area.
There is a valid reason manufacturers put this on the label. Both liquid softener and dryer sheets "coat" fabrics and diminish the wicking (moisture-moving) ability of the fabric, even 100 percent cotton. Use minimal detergent so the soap rinses out well, and tumble dry.
It might sound counterintuitive, but fabric softener isn't always the way to achieve cloudlike towels. Fabric softeners coat a towel's exterior and often contain oils and petroleum-based ingredients that hinder its absorbency. This filmy coating may mean more frequent washing, which breaks down the towel.
Use vinegar as a natural fabric refresher
If your clothes are getting a little musty—especially items that are frequently damp, like sports equipment or bath towels—try adding vinegar to the wash. "I know it sounds crazy, but it really works!" says housekeeping pro Melissa Maker of Clean My Space.
Hard water prevents water from mixing with detergent to form an effective cleaning agent. The calcium minerals bond with the soap to create a detergent curd that sticks to the fabric fibers, drawing in more dirt than before you washed your clothes.
Hard water does not form lather with soap because a large amount of soap is used to neutralize the salts present in water, resulting in the formation of scum which sticks to clothes during washing making them dirtier.
Because hard water is characterized by a higher concentration of dissolved minerals, it is no surprise that clothes washed in hard water can suffer from mineral residue. This residue can cause stiffness or a starchy feeling in your clothes and make them feel less comfortable than they used to.
Your fabric softener may contain phthalates, which disperse scent; synthetic musks such as galaxolide, which accumulate in the body; and much more. Fragrance mixes can cause allergies, skin irritations such as dermatitis, difficulty breathing and potential reproductive harm.
The hard water minerals will also prevent your detergent from mixing with the water to form a solution, which hampers the effectiveness of your detergent, preventing fabrics from getting completely clean – this will cause smelly clothes after washing.
The blue crystals in OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover are made of water softener molecules which help your detergent work better.
High-end hotels prefer to use Egyptian cotton, which is softer, fluffier, and cozier than regular cotton. Such that, even Mizu Towels use this fabric to make their luxury towels. Although it is lighter than Egyptian cotton, some hotels also use Turkish cotton in their towels.
Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda!)
Baking soda is right up there with vinegar as one of the most effective and economical all-natural cleaners. To use as a fabric softener, add 1 cup directly to the rinse cycle (you can even add it at the beginning, and it will work fine) and launder as usual.
Using too much fabric softener
Excess fabric softener also builds up in your wash machine over time, and may eventually begin leaving stains on clothing which can ruin them.
Dryer sheets are better on certain types of material, such as athletic sportswear and towels, where fabric softener can actually weaken the structure of fabrics and leave them comparably more prone to damage. Although, there are still claims that some dryer sheets can still reduce absorbency or wicking ability.
It's formulated to deliver a deep clean for all of life's messy moments. Persil laundry detergent is great for everyday laundry, even activewear, as it not only helps brighten and whiten your clothes, but also helps fight tough stains.
For water hardness 20–60ppm (softer water), consider using a liquid detergent. For water hardness 60–120ppm (moderately hard water), consider using a powder detergent. For water hardness 120ppm and above (very hard water) consider adding a laundry booster (eg Vanish) or sodium carbonate to the main wash cycle.
Damp clothing and dirty clothing that is packed together without proper airflow are breeding grounds for nasty-smelling bacteria, mildew or mold —all of which can contribute to bad odors that linger after the wash. To combat this, make sure your dirty clothes are dry before tossing them in a basket.