Calgon-type stuff.

murphydog999

Does anyone use water softening salts/tabs in their washing machine? Are they worth the money?

Our water isn't overly hard but residue does form on taps etc if left, so are they MS?

Ionkontrol

Don't bother. Waste of money.

roger196

Fit electrolytic scale inhibitor on the incoming mains. I fit in a u shape configuration as it makes it easier to replace the unit every so many years. You will need four compression elbows to do this.
www.screwfix.com part no 60422 and 92557.
(I know this is a pack of ten but spare elbows are always useful)

sunshinetours

The MS answer is leave as is, especially if your water is not particularly hard. probably more MS for your washing machine is to do regular hot washes (maintenance washes)

As you are supposed to use Calgon I believe with every wash work out how much that would cost you over the course of an average washing machine life. Even if it helped keep it running for another year it can never be an MS idea

WestonDave

We've got a 12 year old washing machine in a hard water area which has survived fine without using Calgon! The only part of a washing machine which is helped by a water softener is the heating element - and that is unlikely to break due to limescale - they become less efficient, but what tends to happen is the limescale flakes off periodically and cleans itself.

27col

I suspect that Calgon is a solution to a problem that does not really exist.
We have very hard water and in 50 years we have never had a problem with a W/M that could in any way be attributed to scale. The same applies to our D/W.
Yes, you get a little light scale on taps and sink wastes, but the modern thick "duck" type cleaners are very good at clearing those deposits.

Innys

Obviously, something like Calgon will only protect your W/M, if anything.

I got sick of endlessly having to clean my bathroom suite, kitchen taps and mirrors with vinegar so had a water softener fitted.

Yes, not very MSE, but I now just give the shower walls and screen a quick wipe after my shower and they look like new. Well worth the cost, IMHO.

murphydog999

Thanks all, I do concur but still see so many people buying the stuff.

exprog

This has been discussed before.

Someone (sorry, don't remember who) gave me the following good advice:

"Soda Crystals are VERY cheap. I think the last bag I bought was about £1.25?? You should find them in your local
hardware shop or even a good supermarket. They will be near the washing powders, bleach etc. You may also get them
in the chemists.

DH says use a good cup full of them on a 90 degree wash every 3 months.

They are also brilliant for cleaning your drains, plug holes, cutting through grease, loads of uses.
I soak the racks from my cooker in these in hot water from time to time to get them clean."

VfM4meplse

Innys wrote: »

I got sick of endlessly having to clean my bathroom suite, kitchen taps and mirrors with vinegar so had a water softener fitted.

I considered this when I first moved in 11 years ago, but my inlet pipe was apparently too short. Hence have spent years scrubbing my bathroom to maintain it's sparkle.

sunshinetours

Hmm electromagnetic water softeners - there's another whole conversation about whether they are smoke and mirrors! Salt ones do work (and cost a lot more) not convinced these ones do