Top 10 Washing Machine Water Filters to Stop Hard Water

Hard water doesn’t just affect your drinking water. It takes a toll on your laundry too, fading colors, leaving clothes feeling stiff, and building up scale inside your washing machine.

And it’s not just minerals. Sediment, dirt, and grit in your water supply can actually make clothes come out dirtier than they went in. Meanwhile, your machine’s internal components are quietly corroding.

If your clothes have been looking dull and worn out faster than they should, a washing machine water filter is a simple fix. Here are 10 of the best, with features and ratings to help you choose.

Quick Comparison Chart

1. Pure Water Products Cold Water — Best Overall

Pure Water Products is another worthy choice if you want to protect your washing machine and clothes from hard water. This works by purifying water before letting it into your washing machine filter system.

The water filter makes sure that limescale deposits don’t settle on the parts of the device. Plus, this water filter includes a sediment cartridge that prevents the formation of crystals and scaling inside the machine.

By preventing scaling, it extends the life of your machine and makes sure ideal performance. You’ll instantly notice cleaner and softer washed clothes with all their original colors intact as they were when you bought them.

Other than that, the water filter is quite simple to install and won’t require any assistance or special tools to do so. However, take note that this product is only for cold water applications, with the water temperature maintained below 100 degrees Fahrenheit for top operation.

It installs on most standard washing machines and can easily be mounted on a wall behind the machine once installed.

Sturdy brass hose fittings are long-lasting and won’t give you trouble even after years of use. However, keep in mind that the washer hose and Teflon tape aren’t included and will be needed during installation.

2. PURIFIT Washing Machine — Best for Hard Water

Designed for automatic washing machines, the PURIFIT filter protects your clothes and the machine hardware from harmful chemicals in hard water. The water filter is reinforced with top-quality polyphosphate crystals that prevent the deposit of limescale on the walls of your machine.

Not only this, but the water filter helps with a cleaner water supply for your clothes, so they retain their colors, shine, and softness for much longer than before. Installation is much more straightforward than you would expect.

If you still have trouble, follow the installation video link provided in the user manual and it will walk you through it. No tools are required to get the thing installed, and it will barely take you minutes to get it in place and running.

Besides the washing filter, you’ll find silicone rings and Teflon tape in the package to make the installation even simpler for you. Just use your washing machine as you did before installing it.

The water filter won’t obstruct water and no leakages were noticed either.

If you’re using the machine to the maximum of its capacity three times a week, you can expect the filter to last optimally for 4 to 6 months in the case of a top load washing machine and 6 to 9 months in the case of a front load washing machine.

3. Inline Water Filters 85470 — Best Inline

Standing among the best-selling washing machine water filters, the Inline Water Filter 85470 is easy to install. It protects its parts from sediment buildup as the filtration process removes 98% of solids larger than 25 microns.

This saves you from the trouble of cleaning the inlet valve screen on your washing machine every few days due to scaling. Once secured in place on the inlet water pipe, the filter prevents most solids from passing through.

It uses a unique 5-stage filtration process compared to the standard filters available. Besides protecting your machine from the damage of sediment buildup, it also keeps your clothes bright and soft for longer.

Plus, you won’t find any trouble installing or replacing the water filter on the inlet pipe. The installation and replacement process are quick and simple.

Given the multitude of benefits that the water filter adds to your washing experience, a small 10% reduction in the water flow rate shouldn’t be that big of a deal.

4. DEWBELL Washing Machine — Best Tool-Free

Simple in design and ready to be installed, there are hardly any chances you would go wrong with choosing the DEWBELL for your machine. Without any tools, it fits quickly onto any standard washing machine and begins working as soon as you start using it.

The inner filter of DEWBELL needs to be changed once it changes color to brown by trapping water contaminations. Installations and replacements are effortless, and a detailed pictorial chart guides you through the process.

You’ll only need to replace the water filter once it turns too dingy, which should take about 2 to 3 months. With harmful substances removed from the water entering your washing machine, it will perform optimally and won’t find much reason to break down.

Not only does it boost the wash quality and keep the colors and texture of your clothes intact, but it also protects your washing machine from any water damage. With the use of DEWBELL, you can enjoy a much longer full-functional life of your washing machine.

5. Pure Water Products Hot Water — Best Hot Water

We’ve already reviewed the cold-water counterpart of this model. It’s time to take a look at Pure Water Products Hot Water Washing Machine Filter.

At an amazingly low price, this filter won’t just save your washing machine from scaling, but will also prevent other elements such as iron, algae, and bacteria from entering your wash cycle.

Water filtration is brought about by the multi-layer filtration process designed to handle high temperatures and pressures. The sediment filtration unit that’s included is perfect for controlling and blocking harmful components in the hot water stream and allows only clean, soft water into the drum.

This sediment filtration assembly prevents scaling, contaminations, and foul smells from reaching the machine and your clothes. The clean water supply that results in the inlet pipe after you’ve installed a hot water filter will make sure the clothes retain their original beauty and extends the life of your machine.

With a cleaner supply of water, it also effectively reduces your detergent consumption, saving money in the long run.

The water filter connections are universal, making it suitable for installation on all washing machine brands and varieties, whether top loading or front loading. All you’ll need for installation is an additional hose for the washer and Teflon tape.

Everything else that you need is already in the package including screws, wrench, and a mounting bracket. No special tools or expertise is required to install or replace the Pure Water washing machine filter.

6. Household Bathroom Filter — Best Universal

This is another excellent washing machine filter if you feel that machine wash is affecting the quality of your clothes. The product is compatible with all washing machines and works well for both top loading and front loading varieties.

You can install it by hand and won’t find any problems doing so. A detailed instructions manual is also present in the package if there’s still any confusion.

Maintenance is just as simple as its installation, replace the water filter every six months and you’ll find it performing optimally every time.

Once installed, the water filter removes dirt and harmful chemicals from water and treats it to allow only soft water into the drum. Clean water allows thorough cleaning of your clothes, restoring their long-lost charm.

When clean water manages to wash clothes thoroughly, detergent consumption is also reduced. Besides saving on detergent and effective cleaning, the water filter also protects your appliance from damage.

7. Elegant Casa Pre Filter — Best Pre-Filter

The Elegant Casa Pre Filter is especially designed to deliver a clean supply of water to your washing machine. The design is simple, with a universal inlet and outlet that can easily fit most washing machine models, both automatic and semi-automatic.

You can install it to the water inlet pipe by hand. The threading design makes it easy to install and pull out when it’s time for a replacement.

Once the transparent alum inside the filter assembly turns brownish, you’ll need to replace it so the filter continues operating optimally. It will take about 2 to 3 months before you need a replacement, and when you do, replace the alum, not the entire filter.

Alum is readily available in the market, and you can also order it online.

The composition of the Pre Filter includes alum which effectively blocks magnesium, calcium, and other hard components so that your clothes receive a clean supply of soft water for an efficient wash cycle. The water filter also protects your expensive machine from the damage of hard water by filtering out the impurities.

8. Aqua Filter Reusable — Best Whole House

The Whole House Reusable Washing Machine Filter by Aqua Filter is another worthy choice for improving wash quality and increasing your machine’s life. At a comparatively low price, the unit comes with multiple sediment filtration layers that remove impurities from the water supply.

As long as your washing machine uses cold water for the wash cycle, it will perform optimally and guarantee a clean supply to your clothes. Continued exposure to impure water affects the machine’s mechanism and drum, and the effects are faster if you get hard water in your area.

These effects cause frequent breakdowns and repairs, decreasing the overall life of your investment. Investing in this simple filter is a much better solution.

Other than filtering sediments, the unit also keeps bacteria, worms, parasites, and rust from entering the machine’s water supply and keeps your clothes and device safe. The clothes will turn out soft and retain their original colors even after multiple washes in the machine.

It works for both top and front load washers and offers much better durability as compared to most other washing machine filters available in the market. If you’re not satisfied with the product for any reason, you can return it to the buyer within the first 30 days of its delivery.

One of the few filters on this list that works for the whole house.

9. SCALEX Antiscale — Best Antiscale

Invest in this inexpensive, simple tool to prevent your washing machine from corrosion and damage and to regain the freshness of your dull and dingy clothes. You can install it on any top or front load washing machine without using any extra tools.

Once installed, the water stream will be as steady as before the installation. The water flows into the drum won’t be reduced either.

This simple filter purifies the water supply to your washing machine and prevents crystal growth, as long as you replace it at least once every six months. With a pure and clean water supply reaching the components of the machine, it will perform to its utmost capacity and survive for a much longer time.

Scaling on the heater coil of the machine’s drum is reduced to a great extent. This means you’ll be wasting less time and effort in servicing your appliance.

Besides reducing scale formation, it also eliminates bacteria and pathogens that are usually present in most water streams. With a hygienic wash, free from rust, bacteria, algae, and other components, you can be confident that your health isn’t at risk.

Other than that, you can expect much cleaner and softer clothes, even with a smaller consumption of detergent.

10. Eco Crystal Fresh N Clean — Best Versatile

Eco Crystal Fresh N Clean CPR is a universal water filtration system that’s not just an excellent addition to your washing machine. It’s also compatible with most water purifiers, kitchen sinks, geysers, vending machines, and dishwashers.

When connected to the inlet pipe of your washing machine, it removes dust, dirt, and unwanted salts and minerals from the water supply before it reaches the drum.

This step makes the water cleaner and softer for a hygienic wash cycle. The washed clothes are softer, show no signs of discoloration, and have much fewer detergent traces compared to the usual wash cycle.

With efficient washing of fabric, you’ll also save loads on detergent.

Besides the perks of cleaner clothes with a smaller use of detergents, you’ll also enjoy a much longer life of your washing machine. As the water filter reduces scaling on the heating coil, it will perform much more efficiently, heating water much quicker and saving time and electricity.

Since installation is simple, you can pull it out any time and attach it to your dishwasher or geyser for a pure supply of water for these appliances.