Water . . .

Water Hardness

Soft Water

0 to 10 milligrams per liter

Moderately Hard Water

300 milligrams per liter

Hard Water

500 milligrams per liter

Very Hard Water

Over 500 milligrams per liter

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Water hardness is measured in grains per gallon (G.P.G.) or parts per million (P.P.M.). To learn your water hardness, call your Water Department or State Extension Service. Hard water will not remove soil as well as soft water and can result in gray, dingy laundry. To get clothes clean in hard water, use a phosphate detergent or use more detergent if using a non- phosphate detergent. Do not use soap.

Hard Water May Be Softened By:

1.A mechanical water softener installed in your home.

2.The use of a packaged water conditioner.

Soft Water

Water should be soft enough to allow soaps and detergents to remove soil effectively. Clothes will be whiter and brighter when washed and rinsed in soft water.

Iron

If iron is present in the water, the clothes may become an all-over yellow or they may be stained with brown or orange spots or streaks. Iron is not always visible in

If iron comes from the water heater, drain the heater occasionally to remove the rust.

If the Iron Condition Cannot Be Corrected

Prepare the wash water first by adding detergent (not soap), then add the clothes to the washtub. Use a phosphate detergent. The phosphate content of a detergent is listed on the package side panel.

Add a nonprecipitating water conditioner to the washtub just before the rinse water enters. Do not use fabric softener in the rinse water if a packaged water conditioner is used.

Iron With Chlorine Bleach

The use of chlorine bleach with water that contains iron will make the rust discoloration worse. Use an “all fabric” bleach.

Wash Temperature

Hot Water

Hot water will give the best results of cleaning and sanitizing, but it is not suitable for all items. It is best for sturdy whites and colorfast items, heavily soiled items and diapers.

Warm Water

By using warm water, there is less chance of color loss in items. Warm water also reduces wrinkling in permanent press items. Use with light and moderate soils, non-colorfast or dark colors, permanent press, silks, woolens, nylon, and acrylic.

Cold Water

Cold water is less effective in cleaning than hot or warm water, but it does minimize wrinkling and color fading. Use it for washing extra-sensitive clothes and for the rinsing of all fabrics.

Energy

You can save energy when washing by following a few guidelines:

1. Heating water accounts for the greatest energy expense when washing.

Save on heating water by

the water.

using cold rinses.

140ºF HOT

Solutions to Iron Problems

The installation of a water softener will remove small amounts of iron from the water supply. The installation of an iron filter may be necessary for more severe cases. If the iron comes from the pipes, it may be sufficient just to let the water run into the empty washer for about one minute. This may help to clear the pipes. Spin this water out of the washtub before starting the wash.

2.Wash full loads, but do not overload.

3.Use soak cycles for heavily soiled items to reduce wash times.

4.Select a shorter wash time for lightly soiled items.

100ºF WARM

60ºF COLD

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