How to Wash White Laundry in Hard Water

Hang whites to dry for extra brightening from the sun.

Hard water can turn your white laundry dingy or brown, depending on the mineral content of your water. You can still get bright, clean whites, you just need to soften the water before adding your clothing. You don't need to worry about discoloration when you wash dark colors or brights; only light colors and whites are adversely affected by hard water. If you don't have water softener handy, use a cup of baking soda to soften the water instead.

Things You'll Need

• Water Softener
• Detergent

Instructions

1. Fill the washer with hot water. Add water softening powder in the amount specified by the manufacturer.

2. Scoop out some water with your hand. If it is soft enough to wash whites, it will feel slippery. Add more softener if needed; over softening won't damage the laundry.

3. Add laundry detergent and whites. Run the machine through a complete wash cycle. Remove the whites promptly and hang or tumble dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Hang whites to dry in full sunlight to dry to help them stay bright and stain free. Water softening powder can be found wherever laundry detergent is sold.

• Don't leave whites in the washer once the cycle is done; they could develop rust spots.

References

• "The Cleaning Encyclopedia"; Don Aslett; 1999
• "Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook: The Essential Guide to Caring for Everything in Your Home"; Martha Stewart; 2006
• NMSU: Getting Clothes Clean