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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.
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.
Effects 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, 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
delay the effects of limestone on your clothes. These
better soil removal whether or not you have hard
water or use carbonate detergent.
oily-soil removal.
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 Cationate
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 next
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.
in the detergent.
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