Quick Answer
Hard water leaves mineral scale that clogs spray arms, heating elements, and valves, so dishwashers and washers work harder and fail sooner. In Solano County, regular cleaning cycles and a rinse aid help limit the damage.
Hard water leaves mineral scale that builds up on spray arms, heating elements, and water valves. Over time that scale makes dishwashers and washing machines work harder and fail sooner. In Solano County, a few simple habits go a long way toward protecting both appliances.
What "hard water" means for your appliances
Hard water simply carries more dissolved calcium and magnesium. As water heats and dries, those minerals stay behind as scale. The USGS explains that much of the western United States has moderately hard to hard water, which is why scale is so common here.
What it does to your dishwasher
Scale clogs the tiny holes in the spray arms, coats the heating element, and leaves dishes cloudy. If yours has started draining poorly too, our post on a dishwasher that will not drain walks through the filter and pump checks.
What it does to your washing machine
In a washer, scale narrows the inlet valves and hoses, which weakens fills and strains the pump. Detergent also works less well in hard water, so people tend to overuse it, leaving residue behind.
Simple habits that limit scale
- Run a dishwasher and washer cleaning cycle monthly.
- Use a rinse aid in the dishwasher.
- Measure detergent instead of pouring by eye.
- Wipe door seals and gaskets dry.
When the damage is already done
Weak fills, cloudy dishes, and crusty heating elements are signs scale has set in. If cleaning cycles no longer help, get connected with a local Fairfield technician, or learn more on our washer repair page.
Frequently asked questions
Will a water softener help?
Yes, softened water greatly reduces scale and is gentler on every water-using appliance in the home.
How do I know how hard my water is?
Check your water provider's annual report, or use an inexpensive test strip from a hardware store.