If you live in a hard water area in the UK, your laundry routine needs a little adjustment to avoid dull colours, stiff fabrics and detergent build-up. Hard water contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium, which reduce how well detergent works.

Washing Soda or Citric Acid - which is better?

Washing soda (sodium carbonate) is excellent for softening hard water during the wash. Adding 1–2 tablespoons to the drum helps detergent lather properly, lifts grease and keeps whites brighter. It’s ideal for towels, bedding and everyday cottons, but can be too strong for wool or silk.

Citric acid works differently. It doesn’t clean clothes, but it neutralises limescale. It’s best used in the rinse cycle (about 1 tablespoon dissolved in water) as a natural fabric softener and to prevent mineral residue. It also helps keep washing machines clean and fresh.

Best Laundry Routine for Hard Water:

Use washing soda with your regular detergent for the main wash, then use citric acid occasionally in the rinse to counter mineral build-up. Avoid combining both in the same cycle, as they cancel each other out.

Local professionals like Light and Bright Dry Cleaners often see the effects of hard water on fabrics daily, and these simple steps can significantly extend the life of your clothes at home.

Using the right method makes hard water far less of a problem.

Original Source:-https://sites.google.com/view/light-and-bright-dry-cleaners/blog/laundry-routine-for-areas-with-hard-water-washing-soda-or-citric-acid?authuser=0