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Is your water hard? If it is, and if you use a carbonate type non-phosphate detergent, you will most probably notice
limestone* deposits on your clothes and washer surfaces. The hardness of your water and your washing frequency
will determine how rapidly the limestone will build up. If your water is VERY HARD (11 or more grains) and if you
wash just a few loads a week, you may see limestone buildup in just a few months.
Effects on Clothes
Although limestone buildup occurs more rapidly on
cotton, it will eventually affect various fabrics in the
following
ways:
●
Gives a stiff, harsh, rough feel to fabrics such
as toweling.
●
Causes colors to fade and become dull and
dingy.
“
Causes graying of fabrics.
●
Leaves a white, powdery residue on
dark-
colored items.
●
Causes spot-fading of bright colors as a result of
direct contact with detergent.
●
Reduces wrinkle-resistance of permanent
press fabrics.
●
Destroys effectiveness of flame-retardant finishes
on cottons such as children’s
sleepwear.
●
Increases fabric wear because of the scrubbing
action between limestone deposits on the fabrics
during washer agitation.
Effects on Washer
●
Unsightly buildup on all washer surfaces exposed to
the wash solution.
●
Mat-like, crusty formations caused by lint adhering
to the sticky limestone deposits.
●
Increased service calls because of limestone
deposits in the pump, water hoses. filters and
other washer parts.
●
Reduced useful life of washer.
Recommended Methods to Reduce
Limestone Buildup
●
Use a powdered phosphate detergent or a liquid
detergent if these are available in your area.
●
Install a home water softener. This will significantly
reduce limestone buildup.
●
Use a packaged non-precipitating water softener,
such as
Calgon
brand with phosphate.
Good Washing Practices May Delay Limestone Damage to Clothes
The following recommendations will temporarily
●
Increase amount of detergent. See guide on next
delay the effects of limestone on your clothes. These
page for recommended detergent amounts in relation
Me
generally
good washing practices and will give
to water hardness.
better soil removal whether or not you have hard
●
Increase use of bleaches, presoaks, packaged water
water or use carbonate detergent.
conditioners, prewash soil and stain removers to
●
U’se
hotter wash water. for example up to
help in removing stubborn soils and stains.
150°F.
(65°C.)
for cottons. This also improves
●
Use greater care in sorting loads. Wash very
oily-soil removal.
dirty loads separately and increase detergent to help
“
If you wash in cooler water to save energy, use more
keep dirt from redepositing on less
soiled
items.
detergent to promote better washing. Also be sure to
Wash delicate items separately to prevent damage
use bleach on
bleachable
fabrics. Use hot water
from heavy, sturdy clothes.
whenever possible.
●
Wash smaller loads to increase cleaning action
●
Add detergent and allow washer to fill and agitate
of washer.
for three or four minutes to dissolve detergent before
adding clothes.
●
Use fabric softener to counteract stiffness or
harshness in clothes.
‘LIMESTONE–technically called CALCIUM CARBONATE-is caused by the
reaction
of
the calcium
In
the hard water with the sodium Cationate in the detergent.
(contitzued nexrpage)
13
.—