If you have hard water, you probably already know it. Hard water leaves fabrics looking dull and feeling stiff. Soaps and detergents don't lather well, and you'll often notice a white residue around faucets, drains, and on glassware. You'll notice that, rather than suds in the washing machine, you have gray-looking water, and sometimes scum on the surface of the water.
Hard water is defined as that which has more than 10.6 grains of 'hardness' per gallon. You can call you local water supply office and ask about the degree of hardness in the local water. If you aren't connected to a city water supply, you can have well water tested to determine the level of hardness.
If your water isn't too hard, you can alleviate problems by adjusting the amount of detergent you use in the wash by about half. You can boost the detergent with Arm & Hammer Washing Soda or Twenty-Mule Team Borax. Follow the directions on the packages.
You can also mix up your own water-softening agent by combining the following in a one-gallon container such as a plastic milk jug. Wash the container well, label it clearly, and keep it out of the reach of children.
½ pound of Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
¼ pound of Twenty Mule Team Borax
fill gallon container with warm water
Add one cup of this solution, along with your regular laundry detergent, to each load of laundry.
Hard water takes a toll on your clothes and linens. If a laundry additive doesn't help, and if you aren't satisfied with the results, you may need to try a liquid water softener. Another option, of course, is to rent or buy a water softener.
