soft
medium hard
hard / very hard
Hard water is defined as that which has a high mineral content (in contrast with soft water). The water that is supplied to our houses is not pure; as water is a good solvent, it picks up impurities easily. In limestone areas, water can absorb magnesium and calcium and become ‘hard’. Although hard water is generally not harmful to consume, it can pose implications on the use of equipment that handles water including dishwashers.
The amount of hardness minerals in water affects the amount of soap, powder or detergent necessary to get the desired dishwashing results. Using the wrong type of product in a hard water area can form a sticky soap curd. Another common problem is that lime and other material can deposit on your dishes and in glasses which leads to unsatisfactory dishwashing results.
The above map shows where hard, medium and soft areas are located across the UK. Those that do live in hard water areas should use Rinse Aid and Dishwasher Salt. This also applies when using classic “detergent-only” products in medium/hard areas. This will improve performance and get rid of unwanted lime deposits from your dishwasher that are cause by the effects of hard water.
