Limescale in the machine and stiff towels

Short answer: Limescale builds up both in the machine and in your clothes, and both make washing less effective. A machine with limescale uses more electricity and rinses less well. You notice the result as stiff clothes and towels that no longer feel soft.

Why limescale builds up

When hard water is heated, the limescale comes out as a solid. The warmer the water, the more comes out. That is why a kettle scales up inside, and the same happens in a washing machine. Each wash leaves a little, and over months and years it becomes a layer that affects both machine and clothes.

Limescale in the machine

The heating element gets coated in limescale, which insulates it and slows heating. The machine needs more electricity to reach the set temperature. That means longer programmes and more wear on items such as bamboo joggers for men, which then spend longer in the drum rubbing against other laundry.

Limescale in the fabric

Limescale fills the gaps between fibres and makes fabric hard to the touch. You notice it most on thick items like bamboo sweatpants for men and towels, because they have many fibres and plenty of room for limescale. A towel that feels like cardboard after drying is a classic sign.

Why towels are hit first

Towels are made to absorb water and have many small loops standing out from the surface. Those loops trap limescale and detergent residue more easily than smooth fabric. When the loops stiffen, they absorb less and feel harsh on the skin. It is often the first place you notice hard water.

How to keep it away

Run an empty wash at ninety degrees with descaler twice a year, and dose detergent according to your water hardness. That extends the life of all our clothing for men and keeps the machine in good shape. A clean machine rinses better, leaving less residue in your clothes.

Clean the drawer and seal too

Limescale and detergent residue do not only gather around the heating element. The detergent drawer and the rubber door seal can build up deposits as well. Take the drawer out and rinse it a couple of times a year, and wipe the seal after washing. Leave the door ajar so the machine can dry.

Softer clothes without fabric softener

Many people reach for fabric softener when clothes feel stiff. But softener adds another layer to the fibres and can make towels less absorbent. Try less detergent, an extra rinse and an occasional wash with vinegar instead. That removes the cause rather than covering it up.

Frequently asked questions

How often should the machine be descaled

Twice a year in hard water areas, once where the water is soft. Follow the manufacturer's manual if it gives different advice for your machine.

Can you see limescale in clothes

You rarely see it, but you feel it as stiffness and greyness. White clothes and towels show it most, as they lose their fresh colour and soft surface.

Is vinegar harmful to the machine

In small amounts and not every time, it is fine. Use it as an occasional treatment rather than a fixed part of every wash.