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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.
Leaves a white, powdery residue on
dark-colored items.
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.
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.
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.
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
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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.
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.
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.
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