Hard Water Problem

We have the same problem where we live. Many in the neighborhood refuse to drink the water because of it, but we cannot afford that. Our fridge has a water filter built in and even that doesn't help. When the water dries in the try it leaves a nasty white crusty film that does not wash off. I am a realtor and I spoke to some different folks about this. I also had my water tested to make sure these were not contaminates, and they are not. Good. Everyone agreed that aside from a really good quality water filtration for the whole house, there is little you can do. Yes, they can be expensive, but what you will need is not just a filtration system, but a water softener. The only way we'll be able to get one is to save the money. It will take a year, but it is truly worth it and could help the value of the house should we sell later (when the market is better). Do some research on the different ones out there and see if they have a payment plan. Or, just save. They really are worth it and everyone I know loves there's. It's better to pay for that, then to have to get a new dishwasher every few years or waste water consistently trying to fix the problem yourself. Good luck!

have you tried calgon? you get it in the laundry isle, and i am pretty sure that i have heard of people using a bit in the detergent slot in the dishwasher. if you have a lot of build up, i would do an empty rum with vinegar, then an empty run with only calgon in the dispenser, and then add a little calgon to your regular detergent when you run it with dishes in it.

I agree that you need to have a water analysis done (even if you have to pay for it) to see if it's simply 'hard' water or if you have minerals that need filtered out also (and the pH, etc). Find exactly what problem (or problems) need(s) remedied, then call an established company/store that specializes in treatement systems and compare prices, quality, maintenance options, etc. My brother has had a treatment system for a long time (I think they have iron in their water).

Our daughter & her husband let some company do a presentation once for a water treatment system, and the salespeople convinced them that they needed it for 'such-and-such' when they've had NO problems with their water. I was an in-home salesman, myself, at the time and I knew they had 3 days (in WV) to decide against their decision, so they did. Still have wonderful water several years later.

Anyway, it would be a long-term solution for all the water in the house and well worth the expense and effort in the long-run!

Hi B.,
What you need is a good rinse aid, we use "Jet Dry", this will help cure if not eliminate your "hard water" problem with dishes. Hard water (from wells) is especially rough on appliances and we installed a filter for the water coming into our house and this has helped too. A. B., Hillsborough, NC

Two words for you......"Lemi Shine." I get it at walmart and you put it in with your usual dish detergent. I find it on the aisle with the dish detergent. www.lemishine.com to see what it looks like.
We have really hard water here where I live and my dishes were always foggy. I use this in every load of dishes and it makes my glass completely clear AND it has cleaned all the white buildup out of my dishwasher. Now if they had this for my clothes!
Hope this helps!
J. M.

i dont know if it works but i have heard that if you put kool aid mix in the bottom of the dish washeror tang i use tang onec but i dont rember to out come

The house should have come with one. We have lived with well water for years, and do have a water softener. I am sure that people have survived for hundreds of years without them, and handwashed dishes, I don't know if a laudry softener would work. Have your water tested by the ag agency, and see if they have suggestions.

Dear B.,
-I live by Monkey Junction, just north of you. We probably have different water towers, but still, I've never had that problem with any of my dishwashers. Do you have problems like this with your washing machine? What does your toilet water look like? Do your neighbors have the same problems?
-What does your tap water look like? Fill a clear glass jar with your tap water and let it sit several days. I would think that the type of sediment that you are describing might separate out or leave a ring ... if your problem is from the water.
-I suspect that you have sediment in your incoming water line to the dishwasher. Or, your outgoing water line might be backed up with crud.
-There are some free plumbing question/answer sites on-line that I've used in the past. I will see if I can locate them on Google and add it to this response. Good luck!

Late note: http://www.askaplumber.com/forum/index.php

Dear B.,

Just a thought. Is there any way you could put a fine gloth on the running tube that bring the water to the washer. Like put it around the nozzle were the water come out and just wrap it with a rubber band. I am one that try to figure things out to make it better with stuff.
That cloth might catch the mineral that get on your dishes.
Just and idea. I hope I gave you some Idea. It might even sound crazy. But at least i gave you and idea. Oh might have to check it once and a while and replace the cloth. Whit cotten cloth or sheet material might work for this idea.

Have a good day Today
Vicki W

Hello B.,
I have absolutely no experience with the hard water issue. If I were you, I would check and see how the other neighbors are coping with it. You all should be using the same water. How old are the pipes you are using? If the neighbors are not having as severe a problem as you, then maybe the water supply pipes to your house might need some attention. I would get some free advice from reliable sources, water company, plumber, etc. Sounds like you did everything else that you could possibly do already. M.