They say one of the first steps is admitting you have a problem… Well… I have hard water. Do you?
What is hard water anyway?
How do you know you have it? Wikipedia states that approximately 85% of the households in the United States have hard water. That doesn’t mean 85% needs to use a water softener to get clean laundry. A smaller percentage, maybe 10% will find that their water is hard enough to warrant adding softener.
A super easy way to know if you have hard water is if your dishes are spotted after they dry. Hard water also leaves a soap scum film on showers and sinks. You can buy a water test kit like the Calgon Water Softener at your local hardware store if you are wondering exactly where your water falls. Basically, soap doesn’t work as efficiently in hard water and is also harder to rinse out.
**Those with soft water can use vinegar to help with washing woes. But beware; if you have hard water, vinegar could make your problems WORSE. The vinegar can react with minerals in your hard water and cause yellowing and stink issues!
Calgon Water Softener
Calgon is a water softener that promises to help make your laundry whiter and brighter and will get laundry cleaner than detergent alone… It says so right on the label. Ha ha!
I know you are wondering how can Calgon solve your cloth diaper laundry issues. It works because it removes the hard water minerals from your water allowing the detergent to more effectively to clean your diapers. Because the water will be softer, the detergent will rinse more effectively as well.
I have used Calgon off and on since I started cloth diapering. The loads I use Calgon in do seem to come out fresher and somewhat softer than usual. I use the same amount of detergent that I normally use, but it looks soapier using the Calgon. Which makes me FEEL like everything is getting cleaner, but that part is really just in my head.
Like anything else, adding something to your wash routine will add to the cost of doing laundry. However, for those with issues the added expense may be worth it. Cleaner diapers with less buildup means less chance of rashes and more of a chance of keeping our sanity. I know that when I start to have laundry issues, it can drive me nuts trying to figure out how to fix them!
Calgon in the liquid version can be purchased in any grocery store’s laundry section. The powder version seems to be a little harder to find. Amazon stocks a reasonably priced 2-pack of the powdered Calgon.
Jenn is a long-time cloth diaper educator and a passionate small business advocate. She has worked in the reusable diaper industry for over a decade, helping millions of families via her websites All About Cloth Diapers, Thinking About Cloth Diapers and Cloth Diaper Geek as well as hundreds of small businesses during that time. Her goal always to provide simple, reliable information.
Holly Westhaver says
I need a little help! We are about to cloth diaper baby two, and I gave up at 18 months with baby 1 when we got a new washing machine because we were getting lots of rashes and I was back to work any couldn’t handle it!! But I really want to resolve this so I can cloth diaper again with the new baby!
We are in NB Canada and have very hard water! But we do have a water softener unit, however it only softens the hot water. And my washing machine will only do cold water rinses. And there is no way to add colgen or anything to JUST the rinse cycle.
What would you suggest?? Do I have to buy yet another new washer? Or do you have fresh ideas for me? Thank you soo much! Love your blog!
Jennifer Reinhardt says
Perhaps get something like a fabric softener ball and add the softener to that. It works in a way that the rinse cycle releases the contents so it is added to the last rinse.
maureen adams says
how much washing powder should i use with cagon tabs as washing plus softner
Jennifer Reinhardt says
The same amount you would use on a same size load of heavily soiled clothing. Amounts vary by load size and soil level.
Lori Schluep says
I have been adding calgon to my routine. I have a front loader, and have been adding it with the soap in the same dispenser (both liquid). Is this correct, or should I be putting it in the fabric softener dispenser of the machine?
Jennifer Reinhardt says
You are doing it perfectly. Don’t change a thing.
Andrea Votary says
It says that you can use Calgon to strip your diapers, but says inserts. I have AIOs can I use it to strip them I purchased used ones and they smell a little finky.
Jennifer Reinhardt says
Hi Andrea, I actually removed that info. It was outdated. If you need to strip then I highly suggest using RLR or Grovia Mighty Bubbles instead.
Karen E. says
Hi! Is Calgon allowed in HE machines? I called the manufacturer and was told to stop using it in my New HE machine. They have not tested it. Now my darks get streaks and clothes seem really stiff and course. Since Calgon isn’t soap (sudsy) would think it would not matter. Help!
Jennifer Reinhardt says
Do you know your actual water hardness? You can test it with strips. I would figure out the actual number and see if you really need it first. They are covering themselves because it isn’t tested in their machines. But I’ve never heard of any issues in HE’s.
Erica S says
Maybe it is misinformation, but I couldn’t find Calgon anywhere, so some one told me to use Borax. That I can find all over the place. It seems to work with our hard water situation.
Jennifer Reinhardt says
Yes, borax can work to soften water. It allows detergent to work for effectively. It also slightly raises the ph of the water. There are a few people that are sensitive to it. But if it is working for you, then that is what counts :)
Libby J says
Hi! I am having an issue with detergent build up and the result is my diapers stinking after my baby pees. We are trying and trying to figure out how to get our inserts to rinse thoroughly. We have cotton prefold inserts that we stuff into mama koala pocket shells. We love this combination, but we are getting really frustrated with what to do about the detergent build up. We have to rinse them over and over and over and in the long run, it probably isn’t saving us any money from disposables. If we don’t rinse them though, the detergent builds up and they smell. We have very hard water (we haven’t tested it but all of our whites turn yellow after a few months and it tastes awful). I read the above article and it sounds like Calgon could help but we already have some borax that we keep forgetting to use. Do you recommend the Calgon over the Borax or should we start with the Borax? Does the Borax go in on every wash cycle including the prewash, wash, and rinse? Our current wash routine is prewash no soap, wash with soap up to the first line of tide lid, and rinse no soap. We were using a lot more soap but when we found out we had detergent build up we cut way back. Diapers are still getting clean but still not finding enough. Thank you so much!
Jennifer Reinhardt says
I wouldn’t add a softener unless you really know the water is hard. Yellow discoloration is often either from bleaching OR can be from excessive amounts of detergent. What is wrong with your water may not be helped by borax or calgon. I really suggest having it tested to see exactly what you are dealing with. It’s worth it if it is happening to all of your laundry.
Kim says
I don’t think I have ever seen the liquid in stores in Alberta or Ontario. I hate the smell so I don’t use it even though I probably should. I want to try the Charlies hard water treatment.
Shauna says
I have a front load he washer, I use tide powder for my cloth diapers and have hard water. Is there a way to add liquid calgon to the wash cycle with the tide powder?
Jennifer Reinhardt says
You put your detergent in the usual spot and then add about a Teaspoon of Calgon on top of it. The water will rinse all of it out at the same time. You could create too many bubbles if you use too much in a HE front loader. If you need more you could always add it in tiny amounts in the next wash in addition to the original teaspoon you originally did.
Evin says
I have recently found I really need to use Calgon and not just occasionally. Sigh. Somehow the old Tide Free and Clear didn’t always need it in my water, but I can’t find a detergent that doesn’t now. Is there ANY thing like Calgon that doesn’t have the awful fragrances added?
(p.s. on warm rinses, I got my plumber to connect the hot and cold inputs to the washing machine with a valve and put a valve on the cold input. Now I can turn off the cold, open the valve between hot and cold and presto, hot wash AND hot rinse).
Jennifer Reinhardt says
I haven’t found ANY other alternative to calgon for hard water. People use vinegar. But in some hard water it can cause stink and yellowing. I have this problem as well, I add oxiclean free to every load myself.
Kim says
I hate the fragrance too, why do they make it so overpowering?! Especially if you use it in addition to a scented detergent? Yikes! Charlies Soap has a softening additive now but I haven’t tried it since I can’t seem to find it in Canada.. http://shop.charliesoap.com/_store/Display_Products.asp?prodID=Booster
Bethany says
I use pockets, I was wondering if I’m not supposed to use it on the shells? Also, I have a top loading HE washer, so I use less soap, should I use less calgon? (I currently use original Tide powder)
Jennifer Reinhardt says
Hi Bethany, It is fine to use on shells. You can play with the amount of Calgon. Start with just a small amount, maybe a quarter capful. You can always add more if you need.
Mariah says
How much Calgon do I need to use per load? I have hard well water and my stores only carry the powder Calgon, I’ve never seen the liquid. Also, I do a cold rinse, hot wash, cold rinse…. Do you recommend using Calgon each time? I use liquid 7th generation detergent. Thank you!
Jennifer Reinhardt says
Hi Mariah, I have used the powder version as well. I believe it says right on the box. I am going from memory but maybe 1/4-1/2 cup. I only add it to the wash cycle, the one with detergent. It will help the detergent work more effectively. I don’t think it is necessary to use it in the rinses.
Ashley says
I use Rock’n Green Hard Rock detergent, which is especially for hard water. Are additional water softeners necessary?
Jennifer Reinhardt says
Ashley, only if you find that it is not working. If you have no problems, then nothing additional is needed.
Julie says
I’ve tried it. It did nothing. :( The only thing that helps is adding extra hot water to the wash and a switch in my detergent. I now use one of the more “natural” costco brands. It didn’t completely fix the problem but it’s much better.
Donna says
I figured out the hard way that calgon was a must in my wash. I had horrible mineral build up, major ammonia issues and stink. I stripped with bleach and started using calgon and tide and have not had issues since.
Shannah says
We are battling issues caused by hard water now, stink and diaper rash. I have switched back to Tide and I have ordered some Mighty Bubbles to strip my diapers with becauae rlr didn’t work. I have not been able to find Calgon anywhere, but I was able to order the 32oz liquid for around $5 from walmart.com and shipping to the store is free. Amazon sells the same size bottle for $18 plus shipping which I think is way too much.
Jennifer Reinhardt says
That’s right Shannah, the liquid is easily found in most stores. But the powder, which doesn’t seem to be anywhere is about $18 for two boxes on Amazon.
Gretchen says
My washer doesn’t allow for hot rinses only warm. Do you suggest I do a couple of full cycles with hot water?
Jennifer Reinhardt says
Gretchen, that would work too! So to strip buildup, just run that instead with the calgon and no detergent. Make-sure the inserts are clean first though.