I just received the following query which I’d like to answer publicly so as to help more than one person -
“I live in a hard water area and I already have a salt softener fitted. I’m in the process of buying a new Miele washing machine who recommend not to connect it to softened water supply for reasons similar to those that you give about detergent residue and rinsing (Is it OK to connect a washing machine to a full scale water softening system?)
I could connect it to either the raw hard mains or the softened supply. Surely the advantages of using the softened supply to reduce the damage caused by limescale build-up would to me seem to outweigh the cons of having to rinse a few more times. Would that be your view or would you go over to raw mains?”
Here’s a quote from a few different washing machine manufacturers -
“Too little detergent results in lime scale on the heating element”.
This surely means that using enough detergent should not result in lime scale on the heating element?
As far as I’ve ever been told, washing machine detergent contains all the water softening agents you need. As long as you use a decent quality detergent and use the correct advised amount for your hard water you shouldn’t need anything else.
You get limescale in your kettle, taps and shower because you are heating up plain (hard) water. However, in your dishwasher and washing machine specialised detergent contains water softening agents to allow the detergent to work and to protect the washing machine from limescale.
Related: Is it OK to connect a washing machine to a full scale water softening system? |Should I use Calgon anti limescale tablets or other such products?
If anyone knows any different I’ll be glad to amend my advice on this subject.
Interesting, I’m sure this will surprise many people who fit softeners in the sole belief it is better for their machine and cheaper in detergent than using hard water. Hard mains it is then (for now). Another aspect to consider were you to consider going down the softened route is the pressure loss through a softener (this can easily be 1bar) which may then leave you with insufficient pressure at the machine.
Thanks Neil: I think the advantage of a water softener on the entire water supply is to combat limescale in the immersion heater, hot taps, kettles, coffee makers & showers etc and not white goods appliances which should be protected by their detergent.
Many water softeners use ion exchange, where sodium ions replace calcium & magnesium ions to soften the water. The effect of increased sodium going into the washer may result in agressive reactions with metalic items such as the drum, shaft and spider eventually leading to premature mechanical failure.