Sometimes, making the perfect ice cube is not as simple as freezing water in an ice cube container. If you have ever made ice cubes that have small white flakes in them, you have likely wondered what these flakes are and how you can get rid of them. These flakes are caused by calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate, both of which are found in hard water and appear as white flakes when the water is frozen or boiled. Calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate are harmless, but if you want perfect, flake-free ice cubes, you will need to soften your water.

Stir a packaged water softener like washing soda or borax into the water you are using to make ice cubes. This is a quick solution if you do not intend to consume the ice cubes. Washing soda and borax can be found in the laundry or cleaning product aisle in most grocery stores.

  • Sometimes, making the perfect ice cube is not as simple as freezing water in an ice cube container.
  • Stir a packaged water softener like washing soda or borax into the water you are using to make ice cubes.

Purchase and install a water softener. Water softener units will essentially exchange the calcium and magnesium in your hard water for sodium. There are many different types and sizes of softeners available, but they will all need to be properly installed into your water and plumbing system.

Buy and use demineralised water to make your ice cubes. This is water in which mosts of the minerals and salts have been removed. You can buy it in some grocery stores. It will always clearly be labelled as "demineralised" on the container.

  • Purchase and install a water softener.
  • Buy and use demineralised water to make your ice cubes.

TIP

If you use borax or washing soda to make your ice cubes, be sure to clean the ice cube tray thoroughly after use. Clean it using regular dishwashing liquid and water, or put it in your dishwasher. Water softening units need to be installed at the main water pipe, so that they can treat all the water that comes into your home. Many units come with instructions so you can do this installation yourself, but you may choose to have your water softener professionally installed.