~ RES~TS of CONT~D USE of CA~ONATE Detergents

T~ RES~TS OF CONT~D

USE OF CA~ONATE 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 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. c 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.

Effecti on Washer

Q 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 Calgon brand with phosphate.

Good Washing Practices May Delay Limestone Damage to Clothes

The following recommendations will temporarily deIay 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 catinate 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, 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.