Water Softener - Effect on Detergent Usage

With the removal of hard water minerals (calcium and magnesium) by a water softener, less detergent is needed to do the same job of cleaning.

• Too much detergent in the dishwasher can cause etching of glassware and or oversudsing. Cut back by using only half as much detergent as before and check cleaning results. To test for etching, wash glass with a mixture of white vinegar and water, if glass becomes clear, dishwasher is not washing properly. Consult owner's manual for dishwasher. If the glass does not clear up, it is etched. Nothing can be done to etched glassware, it is permanent. However, cutting detergent use by 1/2, will prevent other glasses from becoming etched.
• Too much detergent in the washer can cause oversudsing. Soap may be left on the clothes at the end of a cycle or soap found on the underside of the lid. cut back by using only half as much detergent as before and check cleaning results.