Best 4 Dishwashers For Hard Water: Minimize The Impact On Your Dishes

Are you having trouble finding the best dishwasher for hard water?

Then you should read this post!

I reviewed the four best models that are currently available for you to buy. Find out more about their design and the beneficial features they have to offer. Compare their price and find the perfect model that fits all of your needs.

The Rundown

Dishwasher For Hard Water: Does It Exist?

No, there is no such thing. However, some dishwashers do come with great features such as a water softener and advanced filtration which help minimize the impact of the hard water on the dishes. But there are no models designed specifically and only for hard water treatment.

What Is Water Hardness?

Such water has a high concentration of minerals like magnesium and calcium. The hard water goes above 250 ppm/14.6 gpg.

How Do I Check Hard Water?

Fill the bottle one-third full. Add a few drops of pure liquid soap to it. Shake the bottle for a few seconds. If you see a distinct lack of fluffy bubbles while the water appears cloudy or milky, your water is hard.

How Does Hard Water Affect The Dishwasher?

Hard water can be damaging to the performance of the dishwasher. With time, glassware becomes opaque, while dishes are spotted or covered in a white film. Hard water can cause the failure of the dishwasher’s parts too.

Dishwasher Types

Dishwashers can be built-in or freestanding. Built-in models are standard dishwashers designed to fit the kitchen cabinetry. They have a spacious interior and are great for big households. Freestanding models are mostly designed for countertops, they are smaller in size and portable.

How Long Does A Dishwasher Last With Hard Water?

An average lifespan of a dishwasher is around 10 years. If you use it with hard water, without taking any precautions, a dishwasher will last up to 7 years.

Hard & Soft Water: Dishwasher Is Suitable For Both Options

Most standard dishwashers feature the special functions and specifications used for fighting hard water such as filtration systems and multiple cycles. If you have soft water, you can still use these special components because they bring the cleaning operation to another level, especially if we’re talking about glassware. While these dishwashers provide great hard-water cleaning, they ensure excellent washing operation in the combination with soft water.

Key Components Of A Dishwasher For Working With Hard Water

Before you decide to go and buy a dishwasher suitable for working with hard water, here are a few key components that such a model must have to function better in hard water conditions.

Steel Material Of The Making

Stainless steel interior and tubs can handle the hard water and resist rust. Stainless steel also resists higher water temperatures which are superior at dissolving the minerals found in hard water.

Multiple Cycles & Cleaning Options

Most dishwashers usually feature at least 6 cycles. However, go for a model that has between 14 and 16 cycles and a wide selection of modifying options. With multiple options, you will be able to enhance all rinse stages and remove lime deposits caused by hard water.

Filtration System

A good filtration system is able to soften the impact of hard water on your dishes. So look for the dishwashers with stainless steel filters and multiple-stage filtration systems.

Water Softener

Dishwashers come with a built-in water softener. This feature optimizes the cleaning ability of water without the need for phosphate, eliminates clouding and streaking of glasses that can be caused by hard water, and eliminates stains and deposits in the dishwasher.

Water Softening Salt

If you have trouble dealing with the hard water, yet your dishwasher doesn’t have the mentioned features, you can use the dishwasher salt. The dishwasher has a specific compartment for softening salt. It also has an indicator light that will go on when your machine is running low on salt.

Sound Rating

This is always a good additional feature. These models can range from quiet to medium noise levels, which are 45 to 55 dB. This is a good thing to consider if you have smaller kids or elderly, or you’re living in a building and you don’t want to disturb your neighbors.

Capacity: What Should I Know?

The capacity depends on the model you choose. A built-in model can have an interior suitable for 12 to 16 place settings, while a freestanding dishwasher is usually suitable for cleaning 4 to 8 place settings.

Best 4 Dishwashers For Hard Water

Bosch SGV68U53UC Dishwasher

User-Friendly Controls
This dishwasher comes with simple user-friendly controls that are located atop the dishwasher’s door. Thanks to that feature you will be able to choose and set the desired operating mode without worrying that someone might tamper with the settings.

Height-Adjustable Racks
Another amazing thing about this dishwasher is that it provides you height-adjustable dish racks. That means that you will be able to create additional space for larger pans, pots, or glasses, by simply moving the upper rack up or down.

Powerful Leak Protection
You never have to worry that this dishwasher with stainless steel tub might start to leak and cause damage to your kitchen floors. It comes with a powerful 4-part AquaStop leak protection that will detect the leak inside the tub and automatically shut of the water supply and drain the accumulated water out of the tub.

Built-In Info Light
This dishwasher features a built-in info light that illuminates a small red dot onto your kitchen floors while the dishwasher is on. Once it completes the set cleaning cycles, the light will automatically go out and you can start to unload the dishwasher.

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Smeg STU8647 Dishwasher

Large Capacity
This is another dishwasher that will provide you with a large capacity. It is designed to accommodate up to thirteen standard place settings and it features three separate racks and a cutlery basket. This makes it a great choice for a large family.

Self Balancing Door
Thanks to the self-balancing door, that comes with this fitted dishwasher, the loading and unloading process will be much easier. Additionally, by opening the door slightly (once the dishwasher is done with the set functions) you can let the fresh air circulate throughout the tub’s interior to ensure that your dishes get dried quickly.

Multiple Settings
Like all other dishwashers in this post, this model also provides you with multiple cleaning cycles and options. It also provides you with five different cleaning temperatures to ensure that you get the most perfect results whether you are cleaning plates with hard-baked leftovers or delicate china.

Delay Start
Another great thing about this dishwasher is that it comes with a delay start feature that allows you to set the exact time when you want the dishwasher to start. Simply load it up, set the desired operating mode, and set the time delay for up to 24 hours.

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Blomberg DW51600FBI Dishwasher

Panel-Ready Design
Just like the two models, I reviewed above, this dishwasher also features a panel-ready design. That means that you will need to order a custom made panel that will make sure that the design of the dishwasher fits perfectly with the rest of your kitchen.

Three Wash Arms
You can be sure that this dishwasher will provide your dishes with complete coverage. It features two wash arms on the bottom and in the middle of the tub and an additional one on the top. They are designed to spray high-pressure jets of water all over the tub’s interior.

High-Quality Motor
Another amazing thing about this dishwasher is that it comes with a built-in advanced Brushless DC motor that produces very low noise levels and optimizes the speed of the cleaning cycle. Thanks to that feature this dishwasher will provide you with a very powerful yet peaceful performance.

Built-In Float Sensors
This dishwasher comes with a double motion float system that is specially designed to provide you with leak protection. Once the sensors detect a leak they will automatically activate the drain pump and shut off the valve.

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Bosch SPE68U55UC Dishwasher

Stainless Steel Design
This dishwasher is entirely made out of stainless steel material. That means that you never have to worry that the interior might start to rust or corrode due to the use of high temperatures. Also, the exterior is highly durable and requires very little maintenance.

User-Friendly Controls
Another great thing about this silver dishwasher is that it also features a user-friendly control panel that provides multiple cleaning cycles and options. It also has a time display in the middle of the panel that counts down the time until the end.

Refill Indicator Lights
The control panel also features refill indicator lights that are designed to light up when the dishwasher runs out of the salt or the rinse aid. Once you refill the containers the dishwasher will work perfectly again.

Low Operating Noise
The best thing about this dishwasher is that it produces very low noise levels, more precisely around 44 dBAs. That means that you will be able to run the dishwasher whenever you want, both during the day and night.

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How Do You Lower Hard Water In Dishwashers?

What can you do if your home has hard water? Besides the mentioned possibilities that include the dishwasher’s built-in features, here are a couple of more tips on how to lower the hard water and minimize its impact on the dishes.

• Increase the amount of detergent but don’t use it too much. Listen to the manual.
• Get a detergent with high phosphate content. Phospate is great as a water softener and it improves the washing results.
• Try using multi-purpose tablets.
• Use rinse aid.
• When you notice a build-up of limescale deposits in your dishwasher, use a dishwasher cleaner.
• To get rid of the hard water stains, fill a cup of vinegar, place it on the top rack, and wash glasses and/or dishes. Do not use detergent when you’re using vinegar.

How Do I Prevent Calcium Build-Up In My Dishwasher?

We have a couple of tips on how to solve the calcium problem regarding your dishwasher.

1. Regularly clean the dishwasher’s filter.
2. Use a commercial dishwasher cleaner.
3. Use vinegar and baking soda. First, run a cycle with a cup of vinegar at the top rack and afterward sprinkle baking soda across the bottom of the machine and run it one more time.
4. Buy a water softening unit and build it in the dishwasher.
5. Call the professional if the dishwasher is still giving you problems due to hard water and calcium build-up.

How To Clean & Maintain It?

If you wish to have a functional dishwasher, especially if you’re using hard water, you need to properly clean the machine. Here is what and how you should do it.

1. To clean the filter, remove it, and then rinse it with hot running water while scrubbing it with a soft toothbrush. You can use special dishwashing detergent too.
2. For the dishwasher’s interior, get a dishwasher-safe glass. Put white vinegar in it. Place everything on the top rack of an empty dishwasher. Run a normal cycle.
3. Once you clean it with vinegar, add regular baking soda to the bottom of the dishwasher and run a short cycle.
4. Let the dishwasher rest until the next day and leave the door open overnight.
5. Repeat this cleaning method once a week.