Why You Should Never Use Tap Water in Your Clothes Steamer
(But It’s Not That Simple!)
Okay, I know the title might be a bit dramatic, but hear me out! When it comes to keeping your clothes steamer in tip-top shape, the type of water you use plays a crucial role. While some manufacturers of clothes steamer suggest using tap water, there’s a hidden danger lurking in your pipes: hard water, something I am very familiar with. My house’s water supply is from a well with a 150 mg/L ( grain per liter ) hardness level. Normal is between 0 to 60mg/L according to USGS
Hard Water, Hard Problems
Hard water contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium. While these minerals are generally harmless to drink, they can wreak havoc on your steamer. When heated, these minerals solidify and form limescale, a chalky white substance that can clog the steamer’s vents and pipes.
Over time, this limescale buildup can cause a whole host of problems:
Reduced steam output: Limescale restricts the flow of steam, making your steamer less effective at removing wrinkles .
- Clogged heating elements: This can lead to overheating and even damage your steamer .
- Water spitting: Instead of a nice, even flow of steam, you might get annoying spurts of hot water on your clothes .
- Shortened lifespan: Limescale buildup can significantly reduce the life of your steamer .
So, What Water Should You Use?
The safest bet is to always use half tap/ half water in your steamer. Distilled water is purified, meaning it’s free of minerals that can cause limescale . You can find distilled water at most grocery stores.
But What If My Tap Water Is Soft?
If you live in an area with soft water (low mineral content), you might be able to get away with using tap water . However, it’s always a good idea to check your local water quality report to be sure, I’ve left a link below.
The Bottom Line
While the idea of never using tap water in your steamer might seem extreme, it’s important to understand the potential consequences of hard water. To keep your steamer running smoothly and extend its lifespan, a mixture of distilled and tap water is the way to go.
How To Test Water Hardness
Knowing your water hardness levels are very important because of the damage it can do to appliances. An inexpensive and immediately check can be done with simple strips. Just dip the strip in a fresh sample of water, wait 30 seconds and compare the results against the guide. I’ve linked what I use below.
