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T~
RES~TS
OF
CONT~ED
USE OF
CAWONATE
DETERGENTS
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 buildups in just a few months.
Effects on Clothes
Although limestone buildup occurs more rapidly on
“
Causes spot-fading of bright colors as a result of
cotton, it will eventually affect various fabrics in the
direct contact with detergent.
following ways:
● Reduces wrinkle-resistance of permanent press
● Gives a stiff, harsh, rough feel to fabrics such as
fabrics.
toweling.
● Destroys effectiveness of flame-retardant finishes on
● Causes colors to fade and become dull and dingy. cottons such as children’s
sleepwear.
● Causes graying of fabrics.
“
Increases fabric wear because of the scrubbing action
● Leaves a white, powdery residue on dark-colored
between limestone deposits on the fabrics during
items.
washer agitation.
Effech on Washer
Recommended Methods to Reduce
● Unsightly buildup on all washer surfaces exposed to
Limestone Buildup
the wash solution.
● Use a powdered phosphate detergent or a liquid
s
Mat-1ike, crusty formations caused by
lint
adhering to
detergent if these are available in your area.
the sticky limestone deposits.
● Install a home water softener. This
will
significantly
● Increased service calls because of limestone deposits
reduce limestone buildup.
in the pump, recirculation water hoses, filters and
● Use a packaged non-precipitating water softener,
other washer parts.
such as
Calgon
brand with phosphate.
● Reduced useful life of washer.
Good Washing Practices May Delay Limestone
The following recommendations
will
temporarily delay
the effects of limestone on your clothes. These are
generally good washing practices and will give better
soil removal whether or not you have hard water or use
carbonate detergent.
● Use hotter wash water, for example up to
150°F.
(65°C.)
for cottons. This also improves oily-soil
removal.
● If you wash in cooler water to save energy, use
more detergent to promote better washing. Also
be sure to use bleach on
bleachable
fabrics. Use
hot water whenever possible.
● Add detergent and allow washer to fill and agitate
for three or four minutes to dissolve detergent before
adding clothes.
*LIMESTONE–technically called CALCIUM CARBONATE–is caused by the
reaction of the calcium
in the hard
water with the sodium carbonate in the detergent.
Damage to Clothes
Q
Increase amount of detergent. See guide on opposite
page for recommended detergent amounts in relation
to water hardness.
● Increase use of bleaches, presoaks, packaged water
conditioners, prewash soil and stain removers to
help in removing stubborn soils and stains.
● Use greater care in sorting loads. Wash very dirty
loads separately and increase detergent to help
keep dirt from redepositing on less soiled items.
Wash delicate items separately to prevent damage
from heavy, sturdy clothes.
● Wash smaller
loads
to increase cleaning action of
washer.
● Use fabric softener to counteract stiffness or
harshness in clothes.
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