How to Soften Hard Water for Cleaning Purposes

To clean your laundry in hard water, add sodium carbonate to the water for soft-water cleaning.

Hard water leaves behind mineral deposits, which are unattractive as well as corrosive. One way to combat hard water is to install a soft water system, which removes certain minerals from the water. This allows you to use less soap when washing. Soft water also eliminates or reduces the scummy buildup on shower curtains, deposits on faucets and rings in toilet bowls. If you don't want to install a water softener system, yet want softer water, use sodium carbonate, known as soda ash or washing soda, which helps soften water by binding to the harsh minerals in the water.

Things You'll Need

• Sodium carbonate

Instructions

1. Add detergent to your water, using the soap manufacturer's recommended amount of soap for the level of water in your bucket or washing machine.

2. Measure out the same amount of washing soda as you did detergent.

3. Add the washing soda to the water with the detergent. If using in a bucket of water for cleaning, wear rubber gloves.

Tips & Warnings

• Find washing soda in the laundry aisle of many supermarkets. It is not the same as baking soda.

• Don't mix washing soda with acids, such as vinegar, as it creates carbon dioxide gas, which can pose health risks.

• Washing with the solution may discolor aluminum surfaces and no-wax floors. It's not appropriate for tubs, tile or fiberglass.

References

• "Organic Housekeeping"; Ellen Sandbeck; 2006
• Clemson University: Water Quality
• University of Florida: Green Cleaners