Have you ever noticed water spots on your glassware when you take it out of the dishwasher? This is caused by hard water and it's an easy fix. Many people don't know how to prevent hard water stains, but most modern Miele dishwashers, Viking dishwashers, and Beko dishwashers are equipped with compartments to add water softener to each wash. Failing to address hard water issues can affect your dishwasher's ability to perform properly. Let's look at hard water and what it does to both your appliance and your dishes.
What is Hard Water?
Hard water is just water that's got a high concentration of minerals like calcium and magnesium. If your clean dishes are coming out of the dishwasher with white spots, it's a good indication that you've got hard water. There are a few ways to amend the water that cleans your dishes, but the easiest way is to buy a dishwasher with a compartment for salt, which is also referred to as water softener. Stained dishes are a nuisance, but hard water can also cause your dishwasher's heating element to become crusted-over, making it harder to thoroughly clean your plates, cups and spoons.
Best Dishwasher Brands for Hard Water
To avoid dealing with hard water issues, many modern dishwashers are designed to be compatible with water softeners. Let's take a look at some of the best brands that will ensure you've got sparkling dishes at the end of each wash cycle.
Miele
Miele dishwashers are sleek and stylish, and these high-end appliances are designed to produce sparkling results. In addition to exceptional cleaning capabilities, each Miele dishwasher is equipped with a built-in softener so the water in each wash cycle is at the optimal hardness level. This means you'll use less detergent, and softer water will prolong the life of your appliance. In fact, Miele dishwashers are built to last around 20 years, which is twice the lifespan of similar models from other brands. With features like AutoOpen drying and Perfect GlassCare, you can rest assured that your dishes will be perfectly clean at the end of each wash cycle.
Viking
Viking dishwashers are high-quality and high-efficiency appliances that provide clean results every time. The built-in water softener will keep hard water spots from appearing on your dishes, leaving your glasses sparkling and clean. Additionally, Viking dishwashers are equipped with a turbidity sensor that monitors the soil level and adjusts the wash cycle to completely clean each load. The triple filtration system washes away even the tiniest food particles, and they're so quiet, you won't even hear your Viking dishwasher running.
Beko
Beko dishwashers are known for their reliability, and these appliances are built to last a decade or more. Their built-in water softeners are designed to prevent hard water stains, so you get beautiful results at the end of each wash cycle. Each Beko dishwasher cleans quietly, with some models operating at a near-silent 39 dBA. They're ENERGY STAR® Certified, and the brand's Aquaintense technology uses a 180° rotating spray arm and a 360° rotating head to provide powerfully clean results. In fact, the brand touts that its dishwashers provide five times cleaner results than similar appliances of other brands.
Related Questions
Why does my dishwasher leave water spots?
Water spots are a good sign that you've got hard water coming through your pipes. That means your water is leaving behind mineral deposits as it dries, and a water softener should be added to each load. Hard water softeners are one of the best dishwasher features you can look for.
How long should my dishwasher last?
Dishwashers, like many household appliances, last around 10 years before they need to be replaced.