Hard water contains high levels of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium ions. These minerals are naturally present in the earth's crust and can find their way into water sources through geological processes. When used for cleaning, hard water can have several adverse effects that significantly impact performance. When used for rinsing, the quality of rinse water will affect the rinse's effectiveness because contaminants in the water can be left behind after evaporation.
1. Soap Scum and Detergent Inefficiency
One of the most noticeable effects of hard water is its interaction with soap and detergents. The calcium and magnesium ions in hard water react with the chemicals in these cleaning agents, forming insoluble soap scum. This soap scum can adhere to surfaces, making it challenging to remove and leaving behind streaks and residues. As a result, more soap or detergent is required to achieve the same cleaning power, increasing costs, and wasting resources.
2. Reduced Cleaning Effectiveness
Hard water can weaken the cleaning power of detergents and chemicals. The mineral ions can react with dirt and grime, creating a film that makes it difficult for cleaning agents to penetrate and dissolve soils. This reduced effectiveness can lead to longer cleaning times and subpar results, which is particularly problematic in time-sensitive industrial parts cleaning processes.
3. Scaling and Equipment Damage
Over time, the minerals in hard water can accumulate on surfaces and inside the cleaning equipment, causing scaling. Scaling can clog pipes, valves, and nozzles, reducing water flow and compromising a parts washer’s cleaning efficiency. Mineral deposits not only affect the cleanliness of the workpieces, but they can cause corrosion on steel surfaces, leading to costly equipment repairs and downtime.
4. Increased Maintenance Costs
Dealing with the effects of hard water necessitates increased maintenance efforts. Cleaning equipment such as tanks, nozzles, and heating systems must be regularly descaled to maintain their performance. Frequent replacement of components due to mineral buildup can strain an industrial parts cleaning budget, making it harder to allocate resources for other essential tasks.
