Living with hard water: everyday tips

Hard water does not have to be a daily battle. A few settings and habits keep limescale under control.

Laundry

Dose detergent for your hardness band; the pack shows how much. Too little in hard water leaves towels stiff and greyish. A cup of white vinegar in the conditioner drawer now and then helps soften towels.

Dishwasher

Set the water-hardness setting to your area's value and keep the salt compartment topped up. Use rinse aid. Spotty glasses usually mean the setting is too low or the salt has run out.

Kettle and hot drinks

Empty the kettle after use rather than reboiling old water, and descale it once a month in hard areas. A jug filter clears the film on tea.

Skin and hair

Some people find hard water dries their skin or leaves hair dull. A gentle soap-free wash, a moisturiser and a conditioner usually help. Hard water does not cause eczema, but it can make existing dryness feel worse.

Boiler and heating

Combi boilers heat water instantly and are prone to scale in hard areas. Ask your engineer about a scale reducer at the annual service, and have the heat exchanger checked if hot water runs lukewarm.