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The damaging effects
of Carbonate
Detergents
your W asherm
Is your water hard? If it is, and if
you use a carbonate type non-
phosphate detergent, the
unavoidable result will be
limestone* deposits on your
clothes and washer surfaces.
The hardness of your water and
water is VERY HARD (11or more
your washing frequency will
grains) even if you wash just a few
determine how rapidly the
loads a week, you may see
limestone will build up. If your
limestone build-ups in just a few
months. (see Page 10).
Damage
to
Cw3w?s
Although limestone build-up
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 sleepwear.
~ Increases fabric wear because of
the scrubbing action between
limestone deposits on the fabrics
during washer agitation.
* LIMESTONE—technically called
CALCIUM CARBONATE-is
caused by the
reaction of the calcium in the hard water
with the sodium carbonate in the detergerk
Damage
to
washer
@Unsightly build-up 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.
e Reduced useful life of washer.
HCNN
to
reduce
Ihneshne
Ibdlchps
IReconmendedlMethods
~ 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 build-up.
@ Use a packaged non-precipitating
water softener, such as Calgon
brand with phosphate.
secondary Methods
The following methods have
limited benefit and will only delay
temporarily the formation of the
limestone deposits.
e Use of hotter wash water, for
example 125°F to 135°F (52°C to
57°C) for cottons. This also
improves oily-soil removal.
@ Adding detergent and allowing
washer to fill and agitate for three
or four minutes to dissolve
detergent before adding clothes.
l-bw k) partially
restore
domes
@ Soak clothes in a solution of 2
cups of vinegar in one gallon of
hot tap-water for 15 minutes. USE
A PLASTIC CONTAINER. Then
wash clothes in the Washer using
detergent.
CAUTIONS:
@ Vinegar soak solution may
reduce the wrinkle-resistance of
permanent-press fabrics.
@ Vinegar soak may damage the
dyes in some fabrics.
8
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