Water Hardness Info

Water hardness can greatly affect the care for your cloth diapers.  In general, soft water is ideal but across the US many people live near water with higher calcium carbonate deposits.

The map above shows the hardness scale but in general it is classified in five categories:

# = Milligrams Per Lite (mg/L) or Parts Per Million (ppm)

>17.1 = Soft
17.1~60 = Slightly Hard
60~120 = Moderately Hard
120~180 = Hard
Over 180 = Very Hard

What do the numbers mean?
Water hardness generally refers to the ratio of calcium and magnesium deposits in household water.  The map is a general but not always accurate representation of how soft or hard the water may be where you reside.  City water, well water and other factors can greatly affect the water hardness.

Why is hard water bad?
For washing clothes and general household cleaning, the excess calcium and magnesium in the water can leave residues.  If you have hard water you'll notice a very dry hand after washing your hands or dingy looking clothes after multiple washes.  If you have hard to very hard water this can mean a great problem when it comes to cleaning your cloth diapers and other laundry in your home.

What detergent should I use?
Generally we recommend detergents targeting hard water.  Depending on how hard the water is you may need to use extra scoop of these detergents for cleaner cloth diapers and clothes.  Our detergents like Rock 'n Green, GroVia and our locally made Redemption Soap is all an excellent choice that works for both hard and soft water.

Are there washing tips for using these cloth diaper detergents?
Yes, we have number of resources to help you find the best possible choice.  You can also call or email us if you have any problems related to possible hard water.