Not all water is the same and when it comes to washing cloth nappies, that matters more than most people realise! The difference between hard and soft water can completely change how your routine performs.
What’s the difference?
Hard water contains high levels of minerals (like calcium and magnesium) while soft water has very low mineral content These minerals might be invisible, but they directly affect how detergent works.
If you have hard water
Hard water can make washing more challenging. The minerals can reduce detergent effectiveness and lead to stiffness, smells, and reduced absorbency.
What to do:
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Use slightly more detergent (not less) if you notice the above!
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Choose a detergent that performs well in hard water
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Make sure your wash has enough agitation to fully clean nappies (don’t overfill the drum of your washing machine - around 75% is the max for a good agitation)
If you have soft water
Soft water allows detergent to work very efficiently, but that can also go too far. Too much detergent in soft water can leave residue in fabrics (and make your washing very foamy!)
What to do:
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Use less detergent than standard recommendations if you notice build-up.
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Ensure nappies rinse cleanly
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Avoid overloading the machine, as above!
