~~~ R~su~~sOf ~o~~~~u~~~SQ
ofcarbonateDetergents
Is your water hard? If it is, and if
washersurfaces.The hardnessof
you usea carbonate typenon-
your water and your washing
phosphate detergent, you willmost
frequencywilldeterminehow
probably noticelimestone*
rapidlythe limestonewillbuildup.
depositscmyourclothesand
If your water is VERYHARD
(11or more grains)and if you
washjust a fewloadsa week,you
may seelimestonebuild-upsinjust
a fewmonths (seepage 16).
Effects on CMhe$
Although limestonebuild-up
occursmore rapidlycmcotton, it
willeventually,affect various
fabricsin the followingways:
@Givesa stiff, harsh, rough feelto
fabrics such as toweling.
~Causescolorsto fade and
becomedulland dingy.
@Causesgrayingof fabrics.
@Leavesa white, powderyresidue
on dark-colored items.
@Causesspot-fadingof bright
colorsas a resuh of directcontact
with detergent.
~Reduceswrinkle-resistanceof
permanent-pressfabrics.
@Destroyseffectivenessof flame-
retardant finisheson cottons such
as children’ssleepwear.
@Increasesfabric wear becauseof
the scrubbingaction between
limestonedepositson the fabrics
during washeragitation.
Effects on washer
~Unsightlybuild-upon allwasher
surfaces exposedto thewash
solution.
@Mat-1ikecrusty formations
caused by lint adhering to the
stickylimestonedeposits.
@Increasedservicecallsbecauseof
limestonedepositsin the pump,
recirculationwater hoses, filters
and other washerparts.
~Reducedusefullifeof washer.
Recommended methods to
reduce limestone build-ups
@Use a powderedphosphate deter-
gentor a liquiddetergentif these
are availablein your area.
s ~fista~]a home water softener.
This willsignificantlyreducelime-
stone b-uiki-up.
@?LJsea packagednonprecipjtating
water softener, such as Calgon
brand with phosphate.
‘&Id
washing practicesmay
delaylimestone
(h’nagt’ to
Clothes
The followingrecommendations
willtemporarily delaythe effects
of limestoneon your clothes.
Theseare generallygood washing
practicesand willgivebetter soil
removal whether or not you have
hard water or use carbonate
detergent.
@Useof hotter wash water,for
exampleup to 150“Ffor cottons.
This also improvesoily-soil
removal.
@If you wash in coolerwater to
saveenergy,use more detergentto
promote better washing.Also be
sure to use bleach on bleachable
fabrics. Use hot water whenever
possible.
*Adding detergent and allowing
washer to filland agitatefor three
or four minutesto dissolvedeter-
gent before adding clothes.
@Increase amount of detergent.
Seechart on page 15for recom-
mendeddetergentamountsin rela-
tion to waterhardness.
@Increaseuseof bleaches,pre-
soaks, packagedwater condi-
tioners, prewashsoiland stain
removersto helpin removing
stubborn soilsand stains.
@Usegreater care in sortingloads.
Washverydirty loads separately
and increasedetergentto help keep
dirt from redepositingon less
soileditems. Wash delicateiterns
separatelyto preventdarnagefrom
heavysturdy clothes.
@Washsmallerloads to increase
cleaningaction of washer.
@Usefabric softener to counteract
stiffnessor harshnessin clothes.
How topartially restore dotks
Onceclotheshave developed
deposits,theymay be partially
restored by soakingin a solution
of two cupsof vinegarin one
gallonof hot tap-water for 15min-
utes. USE A PLASTIC CON-
TAINER. Then washclothesin the
washerusingdetergent.
CAUTIONS:
~ Do not use vinegar soak
solution in washer The acidic
action of the vinegar may
damage the porcelain.
~ Vinegar soak solution may
reduce the wrinkle-resistance of
permanent-press fabrics.
o Vinegar soak may damage the
dyes in some fabrics.
6LIMESTONE—technically called CALCIUM CARBONATE—is caused by the
reaction of the calcium in ~hehard water with the sodium carbonate in the detergent.
