Water Softener

[yesterday]

I live in an area with hard water. When I use my washing machine or have a bath with bubble bath I get no suds. Is it a water softener I need? I dont feel as though my clothes are clean without suds. If so what should I buy? Many thanks

[bhg481]

Washing machines use detergents which provide cleaning power without the need for suds, even with hard water. If you ring up your water supplier they will give you the hardness factor for your water. If it is hard I would definitely recommend the use of a water softener. Having had both sorts I always recommend the dual-cylinder type as opposed to ones with clock-timers or computer controlled models. The dual-cylinder ones are more expensive but your water NEVER goes hard because a regeneration is needed (one cylinder is regenerated whilst the other is being used). All other type try to predict when a regeneration is required based on previous usage - fine until you come back from holiday with a lot of washing or do something else which uses a lot of water. Once you get hard water into the storage tank it takes days to get it fully soft again - once you get used to washing in soft water that can be very irritating.

[yesterday]

I do apologise, what I meant was some sort of liquid I can put in the wash to make suds?

[bhg481]

Detergents are designed to not create suds as they can clog-up your washing machine. You don't need suds.

[yesterday]

Thanks for the info. Its just that I went to the local launderette today because I wanted to wash my duvet and my machine is not big enough to take it. There were loads of suds with using my usual detergent?

[bhg481]

They probably do have a water softener because the soft water keeps the machines in better condition.

[yesterday]

Thanks again.