MaplesonD
Member
Hey guys,
We installed a water softener a few years ago and it immediately improved our issues with scale and hardness. We then had all of our glasses turn cloudy with an etched appearance (not sure the timing, but a couple years after the softener was in operation I'd guess). They did not clear up with the normal acid approach, soaked in vinegar, lemon juice, coke, etc. After verifying my water is still soft (<1 grain via Hach home test kit), and googling, I am almost certain the issue has to be silica buildup based on the description found here. I have found that I can remove the iridescent film with baking soda, bon ami, barkeepers friend, ie mild abrasives, but they do not fix the areas that seem to be etched.
We installed a water softener a few years ago and it immediately improved our issues with scale and hardness. We then had all of our glasses turn cloudy with an etched appearance (not sure the timing, but a couple years after the softener was in operation I'd guess). They did not clear up with the normal acid approach, soaked in vinegar, lemon juice, coke, etc. After verifying my water is still soft (<1 grain via Hach home test kit), and googling, I am almost certain the issue has to be silica buildup based on the description found here. I have found that I can remove the iridescent film with baking soda, bon ami, barkeepers friend, ie mild abrasives, but they do not fix the areas that seem to be etched.
- I uploaded my water analysis from a few years back, which showed silica at ~30 mg/L, is this colloidal or in solution? Can I reduce this with a filter or would it require RO? Should I have multiple stages of filters or just put a ultrafilter after the softener?
- I'm gathering that my current glasses are permanently etched. If I found some system to remove the silica at the iridescent stage, would that prevent it from progressing to the etching?
- The linked website talks about reducing detergent in the dishwasher or using specific softwater detergents, does anyone know of a specific type of dishwasher detergent that would prevent this silica buildup -> etching?
- Aside from lead crystal, are there affordable glasses that would be resistant to this type of etching?