White chalky residue from tap water ????

[Be Enchanted]

I think something is wrong with our water softener, or perhaps we don't have it on the right setting.

All of our dishes have a white chalky residue on them, especially the plastic cups and bowls. What IS this?? Even the ice cubes have it!

Any ideas?

 

[marlynnp]

probably salt.
Use a rinse agent in the dishwasher.
And we have our cold water at the kitchen faucet filtered so we don't have the extra sodium in our drinking water/ice.

 

[maleficent32]

I think something is wrong with our water softener, or perhaps we don't have it on the right setting.

All of our dishes have a white chalky residue on them, especially the plastic cups and bowls. What IS this?? Even the ice cubes have it!

Any ideas?

Does your softener automatically regenerate? Maybe you have to adjust your settings.

 

[lizabu]

Are you washing by hand if dishwasher? I had this issue in my dishwasher even with rinse agent. I switched to pods and the issue wend away.

 

[RitaE]

that happens at our house when the softener needs more salt added.

 

[NHdisneylover]

that happens at our house when the softener needs more salt added.

This is what I was thinking. If your water normally has high calcium or lime in it and the softener is not getting it out because it doesn't have enough salt, this can happen.

 

[aprilgail2]

I think something is wrong with our water softener, or perhaps we don't have it on the right setting.

All of our dishes have a white chalky residue on them, especially the plastic cups and bowls. What IS this?? Even the ice cubes have it!

Any ideas?

I had to google what the heck a water softener was! Interesting....I had never heard of people having to have things like this.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I had to google what the heck a water softener was! Interesting....I had never heard of people having to have things like this.

Oh yea. Now I do not have a water softener, but we could use one. I live on a limestone bluff and we have well water for our neighborhood.

Let's just say that the lime in our water is pretty bad. It is not going to kill you but it is annoying to try and keep it at bay.

I use Lemi Shine packets in the dishwasher to combat it.

 

[sunshine1178]

Ditto the recommendations for checking/adding salt to your softener system and for the LemiShine (we buy it in a bottle at Target, on the aisle with the dishwashing products.).

I've also found that detergents get varying results - I'm most happy with Cascade Complete/Platinum in the Pod form.

I will also suggest putting two glugs of white vinegar in the bottom of the machine before running it. I can't explain the science, but my glasses always look better when I do.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Have to add that you have to be careful with the Lemi Shine and painted glassware. It can strip it off.

 

[ronandannette]

Have to add that you have to be careful with the Lemi Shine and painted glassware. It can strip it off.

This product is citric acid and works exactly the same way vinegar does to dissolve calcium deposits. If it works for you OP then the issue is that your softener is not demineralizing your water properly. As others have said it may just need more salt or perhaps some kind of repair. I'd call the company that installed it and have them trouble-shoot the problem. They likely hear about this kind of thing all the time and can advise you over the phone. (FYI, in our city the quality of the water really varies from season to season depending on the snow melt and run-off from the mountains into the river from which it is sourced. There are times when the mineral content is way higher than others and taxes the capabilities of water treatment equipment. If your problem is something that "comes and goes" this might be a factor for you too, but again the water softener company will know about your local conditions and can advise you.)