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.
Effecfi 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.
s
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.
c
Destroys effectiveness of flame-retardant finishes
on cottons such as children’s
sleepwear.
c
Increases fabric wear because of the scrubbing
action between limestone deposits on the fabrics
during washer agitation.
Effecti 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
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
are 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
● Use hotter wash water, for example up to
help in removing stubborn soils and stains.
150°F.
(65°C.)
for cottons. This also improves
oily-soil removal.
“
Use greater care in sorting loads. Wash very
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
● Use fabric softener to counteract stiffness or
adding clothes.
harshness in 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.
(continued next puge)
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