OF
USE OF
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.
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
●
Increases fabric wear because of the scrubbing action
between limestone deposits on
fabrics during
washer agitation.
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, recirculation 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
brand with phosphate.
Good Washing Practices May Delay Limestone Damage to Clothes
The following recommendations will
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
for cottons. This
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
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
in the detergent.
●
Increase amount of detergent. See guide on opposite
page for recommended detergent amounts in relation
to water hardness.
●
Increase use of bleaches,
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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