How Hard Water Affects Your Dishwasher

Ever notice that your dishes end up being cloudy or spotty after a cycle in the dishwasher? You could be dealing with hard water in your home! You’ll find that hard water can leave deposits on your dishes which, when heated in a dishwasher, react with the heat and detergent to create spots. Luckily there are several ways you can reduce this issue at home, and we’re going to break down how it starts and what to do about it.

Hard Water vs. Your Dishwasher

Hard water is a problem for people who live in areas with high mineral content. The minerals in hard water (i.e., calcium, magnesium, potassium) react with soap to form these spots on your dishes. Not to mention, these minerals can build up inside your dishwasher’s filter and plumbing lines, which can cause some significant issues for your water system down the road. 

How to Spot The Issue

You’ll notice that after a wash cycle, your dishes might seem a bit streaky or cloudy. This will be especially noticeable on clear and glass dishware. At the first sign of blotches, it’s time to consider what this means for your dishwasher moving forward. 

How to Get Rid of Hard Water

To get rid of hard water in your water system, consider installing a water softener! A water softener system reduces the “hardness,” or amount of minerals in the water. A water softener typically uses sodium or potassium ions to replace calcium and magnesium ions, which creates the “hardness.” Not only that, but chemical and residue buildup is decreased, and appliances use less energy, extending the life of appliances like your dishwasher! 

Contact us For All Your Water Treatment and Filtration Needs

If you notice your dishes are cloudy or spotty after being in the dishwasher, Easterday-Wilson Water Services can help. We treat countless water quality problems and eliminate common water contaminants on a daily basis. Call us at 301-831-5170 for additional information and schedule your free water evaluation today.

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