Water softeners are a great way to protect the appliances you have in your home whilst helping them to work more efficiently and effectively.
One question we’re asked by our customers is whether their washing machine will work with a water softener and if they need to change their washing powder and so on.
The answer is yes – absolutely! Your washing machine will run with soft water, and will actually work better with no more limescale! Although you don’t need to change your detergent, you can opt to use a less harsh alternative because your washing powder doesn’t need to combat hard water.
Washing machines and soft water
By investing in soft water, you’re protecting your washing machine against hard water build-up and limescale which can shorten its lifespan.
Softened Water Non Bio Washing Powder
Soft water doesn’t contain the magnesium and calcium found in hard water. This means that your washing powder doesn’t need to contain the harsh chemical which combat those minerals, and therefore you can use a softer washing powder, which can be better for sensitive skin.
Benefits of water softening for washing machines
Washing machines benefit from soft water in various ways. By using a water softener alongside your washing machine, you can:
Cut maintenance costs
Running your washing machine on a softened water supply prevents limescale damage to your washing machine and surrounding pipes, and the build-up of soap scum in the drum of your washing machine, both of which are common problems in hard water areas. Water softeners therefore increase the lifespan of washing machines and reduce the risk of breakdowns.
Reduce detergent use
When you install a water softener in your home, you’ll need to use 75% less detergent to clean your clothes and significantly reduce your shopping bill.
This is because a water softener traps the harsh minerals that prevent lather from forming and cleaning effectively. The removal of calcium and magnesium also means that you won’t need to use any conditioner.
At Harvey Water Softeners, we’ve developed a specialised washing powder that’s designed for use with softened water and is fitted with a dosage cap. Just pour it into your detergent drawer, and you will always get the right dose for your machine.
Improve skin health
Heavy use of detergents and soaps can cause skin irritation. By cutting your use of detergents and conditioners in your washing machine, you can improve the health of you and your family’s skin, and alleviate skin conditions such as eczema.
A washing machine works better with a water softener
Clothes washed in softened water are cleaner and brighter because a water softener prevents soap scum forming, which can result in residue being left behind on clothes in hard water homes.
By softening your home’s water supply, you prevent this residue build up in your washing machine, on your skin and around your home.
Washing machines and water softeners: Guidelines for use
Some washing machine manufacturers, such as Miele, are cautious about the effect of water softeners on their machines due to incorrect detergent dosage.
However, as long as the correct amount of detergent is used for the specific washing machine and household, softened water will not affect the performance and durability of a washing machine.
When asked about the use of water softeners alongside their washing machines, Miele acknowledged the benefit of softened water and confirmed that as long as certain considerations are taken into account, the performance and durability of their washing machines will not be affected. The full statement and more information about guarantees can be found here.
A member of our team will be more than happy to demonstrate how installing a water softener can benefit washing machine during a free, no-obligation visit to your home.
If you have hard water in your home, the build-up of limescale could shorten the life of your household appliances. Water softeners remove minerals from your water supply and drastically reduce the amount of limescale in your home. Learn more about how our water softeners work and find the right model for you – choose from the new HarveyArc, the HVX, or the Big Blue.
Start enjoying the benefits and take the first step to banishing limescale by arranging a virtual demonstration – Book A Demo!
