Calgon is a well-known remedy for a long time, which is recommended to be used in addition to washing powder. However, not everyone knows what it is for, how it works, whether it is effective and to what extent. Consider these and other factors.
How to use Calgon
The instructions that come with any Calgon package give dosage recommendations and explain what the product should be used depending on how hard the tap water is. For convenience and accuracy, and therefore economy, a 96 ml measuring cup is included with each Calgon pack. How much Calgona should be poured into the washing machine:
- If the water is medium hard, 32 ml (one third of a measuring cup) is sufficient.
- When the water is hard, you need 64 ml (two-thirds of the cup).
- If the water in the water supply system is very hard, you will have to add 96 ml (full glass).
The tablets are easier to use. One tablet is added per wash for any degree of water hardness.
When it is determined how much Calgon is needed for one wash, the housewives often have a reasonable question: where to pour Calgon in the washing machine (pour gel or put pills)? After all, the washing machine has more than one compartment. Calgon should be poured into the main (largest) compartment - the same place where the powder is poured. You can simply add it to the powder. It is not recommended to pour the substance directly into the machine drum where the laundry is placed.
The manufacturer also points out that for maximum efficiency, Calgon should be used constantly, without missing a single wash.
See also - How to descale a washing machine: useful tips, an overview of special products
Composition and release forms
Calgon is needed when washing in an automatic washing machine to soften the water. What substances are involved in this process?
Any water contains calcium ions. And the main active ingredient of Calgon is sodium tripolyphosphate. The interaction of these two chemical elements provides water softening.
Calgon also contains the following substances:
- polycarboxylates (up to 30%);
- microcrystalline cellulose (up to 15%);
- polyethylene glycol (up to 5%).
The manufacturer has provided the ease of use of Calgon, having developed three forms of release:
- powder;
- pills;
- gel.
Calgon has a light and unobtrusive smell. The convenience of the powder is that the dosage can be varied. It is convenient for those whose water is not very hard to independently determine how much it needs to be filled up. This will save Calgon and not pour in excess. They prefer to buy Calgon tablets for a washing machine when the water is very hard. The tablets are also convenient in precise dosage. In terms of composition, both powder, tablets and gel are the same.
There are also different dosages for all three Calgon dosage forms:
- powder packages are 0.55 kg, 1 kg, 1.6 kg;
- tablets are packaged in boxes of 12, 15, 32, 35, 40, 70 pcs .;
- the gel is available in bottles of 0.75 l, 1.5 l, 2 l.
Beneficial features
Calgon isn't just for water softening.It prevents the appearance of scale on the heating element, and it is scale that often becomes the reason that one day the washing machine will need the help of a specialist. So that it doesn't come to repair, the Calgona manufacturer recommends adding it to the powder with each wash. ( See also: How to clean the washing machine from scale and dirt )
What are the main benefits of Calgon:
- Saving washing powder (since softened water requires less of it than hard water).
- Preventing the appearance of scale on the internal parts of the machine (and thereby increasing the service life of the washing machine).
- Preservation of bright colors of the laundry (since it does not allow scale to settle on the fabric).
- Improving the quality of washing (since even stubborn stains are washed better in soft water).
A legitimate question arises for supporters of a healthy lifestyle: can the use of Calgon have a negative impact on health? After all, this is a chemical agent. Experts say that it is no more dangerous than ordinary washing powder, and even putting it into the machine, you do not need to wear gloves.
However, you should always remember about basic safety measures. Store Calgon in a dark place out of reach of children. In case of careless handling and accidental contact with the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose or mouth (no matter how much it is), you need to quickly wash it off with plenty of clean water. To eliminate this possibility, it is better to use pills.
Is Calgon really effective
There are studies that prove Calgon's ineffectiveness. Some experts claim that it is similar in composition to washing powder, which also contains water softening agents. In addition, Calgon only prevents the occurrence of limescale in the washing machine, but does not delete the existing one. There are already a sufficient number of reviews about the senselessness of using this tool and even that it may be the cause of a washing machine malfunction. If you have never used Calgon and scale has formed in the washing machine, then you can always clean it with folk remedies, for example ordinary baking soda, vinegar or citric acid.
However, many housewives still use Calgon, claiming that it retains the color and strength of fabrics better, and prevents white fabrics from turning gray.
In this article, we have provided detailed instructions on how to use Calgon for washing machines. They told where and how much to pour Calgon into the washing machine. Now you have to weigh all the pros and cons for yourself, calculate the amounts for the purchase of Calgon and a new washing machine and determine whether to use an additional product when washing or not. If you see more pluses than minuses, buy any form of release convenient for you - powder, tablets or gel - and be happy with the result.
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