Limescale in the water and what it does to clothes
Short answer: In areas with hard water, limescale binds to the fibres and makes clothing stiff. The solution is to dose the detergent according to your water hardness and not to use more than the pack recommends.
What hard water does
Hard water contains a lot of limescale, and when the water heats up in the machine, the scale settles as a thin layer on the fibres. The layer builds up wash by wash, so you only notice it after a few months. The clothes feel stiff, and colours turn duller over time under a grey film.
Dose by hardness
The dosage on the detergent is usually split into soft, medium and hard water. Look up the hardness in your area with your water supplier or on your local council website, so you know which line on the pack to follow. If your water is hard, use the highest recommended dose, but no more.
No more detergent than needed
It is tempting to add extra when clothes feel stiff, but more detergent does not solve the limescale problem. The excess is not rinsed out properly and stays in the fabric. That leads to odour and stiff clothes, and it can make the skin itch. Follow the dosage and choose an extra rinse instead.
Descaling the machine
A machine with scale in the heating element and pipes washes less well, because the water does not heat up as efficiently. Run an empty wash with descaler a couple of times a year, more often if your water is very hard. Also wipe the rubber seal and clean the detergent drawer to avoid residue.
Stiff towels
Towels turn hard in hard water faster than other clothes, because the terry loops have a large surface where scale can settle. Shake the towel well before hanging it up, so the loops stand up again. It helps more than you would think. Read more in how to wash bamboo towels, step by step.
No fabric softener
Fabric softener makes clothes soft on the surface, but it also leaves a film on the fibres. Together with limescale, that film gets thicker, and the fabric absorbs and breathes less well. A towel washed with softener takes up less water, for example. Leave it out entirely. See fabric softener and bamboo.
Bedding in hard water
Bedding is a large surface that lies against your skin all night, so this is where you quickly notice if the fabric has turned stiff. Wash it with the correct dose, give it room in the drum so the water can rinse through, and shake it out afterwards. See the range in bamboo bedding.
What you notice on your clothes
Underwear and t-shirts turn stiff and less soft long before you can see anything. It is often limescale rather than wear, and it can be fixed by adjusting the dose and descaling the machine. Clothes worn close to the skin show it first. See for example bamboo underwear for men.
Drying
Clothes that dry slowly on an indoor rack can feel a little stiff once dry. Shake them well before hanging them up and pull them gently into shape. When they are dry, you can shake them again or rub the fabric lightly between your hands to loosen the fibres. It gives a softer feel without softener.
General washing
Limescale is only part of the picture. Temperature, programme, spin speed and drying also affect how long clothes stay soft. Choose 30 to 40 degrees for most items, a moderate spin and drying on a rack. The rest of the rules are in the washing guide, gathered in one place.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my water is hard
Your water supplier publishes the hardness, often on its website or on your local council page. You can also see signs at home, such as white scale marks on taps, in the kettle and on the shower screen.
Does vinegar help against limescale in clothes
Some people put vinegar in the rinse compartment, but over time it can wear the rubber parts of the machine. Check the machine manual first, and try the correct dosage and an extra rinse instead.
Can limescale damage clothes
Limescale makes clothes stiff and colours duller, and the fabric can feel worn earlier than it should. It happens slowly, and with the right dose and a descaled machine you can slow it down.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
