Soft or hard water? Know how to use your detergent!

Do you live in an area with hard or soft water? If you know the answer, we'll give you some tips on how to use your detergent in hard or soft water. If you don't know the answer, we'll also show you what type of water your area has.

In this article you will learn not only the difference between hard water and soft water but also how you can use detergent in different types of water without wasting quantity.

Water hardness: what does it consist of?

According to EPAL – Grupo de Águas de Portugal , water hardness is related to the presence of calcium and magnesium salts that dissolve when they come into contact with rocks. Therefore, you are in the presence of hard water when these salts are present in large quantities.

But did you know that this hardness can be temporary or permanent? According to EPAL, it depends on the composition:

• Temporary hardness: can be eliminated by boiling water and derives from the presence of carbonates and bicarbonates
• Permanent hardness: composed of nitrates, chlorides and sulfates that are not eliminated by boiling water

In the following table you can see the water hardness classification, according to its composition.

The hardness of water varies according to the geology of the terrain with which it comes into contact and, therefore, hard water occurs mainly in limestone areas.

And how do you know you are in the presence of this type of water?

Although it is not possible to look at the water and know if it is hard, there are some signs that you can notice:

• Glasses or cutlery with small “stains” due to small deposits of calcium carbonate;
• Clothing: may also have small stains;
• Lower water pressure when it comes out of the tap: Mineral deposits in the pipes can reduce water flow.

In addition, soap, shampoo or detergent are difficult to dissolve in hard water. Furthermore, if you have more limescale, you may be in a place with hard water, so you should pay special attention to your pipes, washing machines, dishwashers, irons and even taps or showers.

According to EPAL, the “presence of calcium and magnesium salts in water does not pose a risk to health, as both are essential and beneficial and can even protect humans from certain diseases.”

In addition to this advantage for humans, water hardness can also have a positive effect on the aquatic environment as it reduces the toxicity of metal ions such as lead, chromium and zinc.

What about soft waters?

Soft waters do not have high levels of calcium and magnesium, but rather a high concentration of sodium and salt. So, if you live in an area with soft water, you will notice that:

• The foam is “healthier” and more abundant;
• Clothes without stains and less worn;
• Normal water pressure.

In the following graph from the Water and Waste Services Regulatory Authority (ERSAR) you can check whether your municipality has hard water or soft water.

How does the type of water influence the use of detergent?

In areas with very hard water, the minerals that make up the water can damage the fabrics of your clothes by accumulating in them.

Some of the problems you may encounter are:

• Dirty or rough fabrics;
• Accumulated dirt;
• Weaker tissues;
• White or gray spots.

These problems, which arise from the fact that water does not dissolve easily with detergent, cause each American family to spend about $500 on laundry per year (including electricity and additional products).

It is important to note that the ingredients in powdered detergents bind to the minerals in the water instead of cleaning the clothes. In these cases, it involves using much more detergent as well as a higher temperature than normal for effective cleaning.

Therefore, to avoid unnecessary amounts of detergent and increased use of electricity (with the need to increase the washing temperature), the solution is to use liquid detergents when washing your clothes. This is explained by the fact that detergents contain non-ionic surfactants that are resistant to water hardness.

So how much detergent should you use in hard water and soft water?

EcoX detergents contain ingredients that “soften” the water and thus prevent several of the problems mentioned above from occurring. However, the quantities for the two types of water are different:

Hard water: you should use between 15 and 25mL of detergent per kg of dry clothes

Soft water: you should add between 8 and 15 mL of detergent per kg of dry clothes

To prevent the build-up of minerals or even fungi and bacteria that can build up over time, you should wash your washing machine regularly, according to the manufacturer's specifications. We tell you how to do this in an environmentally friendly way here.

Do you know how you can increase the lifespan of your clothes?

In addition to removing stains from your clothes, you can also extend their life with bleach.

Natural percarbonate-based whiteners help restore the original appearance of many fabrics and remove various types of stains. Unlike other commercial bleach-based laundry whiteners, which wear down the fibers of the fabric, or optical brighteners that only give the impression of cleanliness and whiteness to our eyes.

Author: Daniela Matos