If your laundry colors fade inconsistently across seasons or years
USGS groundwater sampling in Kent County's aquifer from 2014 to 2019 found calcium and magnesium concentrations—the main components of water hardness—ranged broadly from 10.8 to 284.0 mg/L, with a median of 60.35 mg/L. This indicates that water quality in this region can change over time and location within the shallow wells sampled (11 to 18 feet deep). These shifts can affect how your laundry detergents perform and cause fading patterns to vary across different periods.
If you don’t yet know your water’s specific mineral levels
Before choosing a laundry solution, gather details about your actual water. This includes recent test results of calcium and magnesium levels from a certified laboratory based on your household water sample. Take note of the testing date, method, and the exact concentrations. Knowing this will help determine if your water fits within the typical regional ranges or if it has unique characteristics that could influence fading.
If you observe laundry fading alongside other household signs
Fading accompanied by stiff fabrics and visible residue may correspond with mineral interactions in the water, especially from calcium and magnesium. However, fading alone can arise from various factors such as detergent type, washing machine settings, fabric quality, or exposure to sunlight. Distinguishing if water minerals contribute requires careful attention to these patterns and possibly laboratory analysis.
If you want to understand what "detected," "median," and "range" mean in your area’s water data
"Detected" indicates the constituent was measurable in all tested samples but does not imply a problem. The "median" is the middle value of all sample measurements and reflects the typical mineral concentration in tested wells. The "range" shows the lowest and highest detected levels, highlighting variability. None of these results in Kent County exceeded any federal health thresholds, confirming that water mineral content relates mainly to aesthetic effects like laundry fading rather than safety.
If you consider what a certified laboratory test reveals and how to use it
Laboratories report calcium and magnesium in milligrams per liter (mg/L). Reviewing their test report provides your household’s specific mineral levels versus the regional data. This helps identify if your water is near the lower end, median, or higher side of the range. Knowing this can guide whether a treatment system designed to target these minerals is suitable for your laundry fading concerns.
Area data cannot substitute for personal testing. While Kent County groundwater shows a wide range of calcium and magnesium, these figures represent sampled wells only and not your water. Deciding between technical approaches to manage faded laundry requires your own water analysis. The Fleck Faded, Stiff Laundry System ships ready to configure and uses specialized technology proven to address issues caused by calcium and magnesium minerals typical of this region, improving fabric brightness and feel.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2019-12-10. These figures describe groundwater sampled in this area. They are not a test of any individual private well - only a test of that well can establish its own water.
On record: U.S. Geological Survey sampling of Hardness, Ca, Mg in the aquifer (Kent County): 32 results from 16 wells, median 60.35 mg/L, range 10.8-284.0 mg/L; none above any federal threshold
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