How to use Calgon for washing machines - the principle of operation, an alternative to Calgon

With the advent of washing machines and with the deterioration of water quality in urban water supply systems, the question arose: How to ensure the safety of equipment without damaging clothes and linen during washing?
Safe chemistry is not a myth. Of course, anything safe is relatively dangerous.

No one should ignore the usual precautions when using special equipment care products.

It is very important to know how to apply calgon in the washing machine in order to get the desired effect and, moreover, not to harm the washing machine itself or ruin the linen with clothes.

Chemical constituents of Calgon

Calgon refers to aggressive chemicals, which are a set of reactive acids and binder polymers, as well as aromatic additives and polyphosphates that hold calcium and magnesium ions together.

It is calcium and magnesium that form the very hard deposits and scale in the washing machine drum, on the heating element and other electromechanical parts of washing machines due to the action of highly chlorinated water during filtration of the water utility.

Compound

• about 30-35% of Calgon are polycarboxylates - a set of aggressive acids;
• from 10 to 15 percent polyethylene glycol - a substance that binds magnesium and calcium ions (plaque and scale);
• sodium orthophosphate or polyphosphate - also a binder to prevent scale and plaque;
• about 20% cellulose;
• technical soda;
• fragrances, deodorants, odor removers.

To remove contaminants, completely different means are required.

Directly Calgon is intended to prevent the appearance of scale with plaque, as a strong prophylactic.

Application of Calgon

The effectiveness of Calgon for washing machines

Studies by some chemists suggest Calgon's lack of effectiveness as a prophylactic for protecting washing machines.

However, the real composition of this reagent is very powerful and, as an oxidizing agent, it really softens water that is heavily chlorinated at water utility stations.

Nevertheless, Calgon still enjoys considerable popularity, and this is not a consequence of widespread advertising, but the result of its active and effective use.

Mode of application

Calgon is used only and exclusively for washing machines.

The dosage of Calgon for washing machines depends on the hardness and chlorination of home water supply.

How to determine the hardness of your water

It is not difficult to determine the hardness of home water and the presence of a large amount of chlorine, calcium and magnesium in it. It is enough to take a piece of laundry soap and crumble into a glass of cold water.

If the soap crumbs do not dissolve after half an hour, then the water is extremely hard and saturated with magnesium and calcium, which will cause scale when washing in a washing machine without Calgon.

Proportions of use

If powdered Calgon is used, then according to the degree of hardness, 1/3, 2/3 or a whole measuring cup of emollient should be used.

Powder Calgon is poured into one compartment along with washing powder.

A Calgon tablet is added directly to the drum of the washing machine, which must be loaded along with linen and clothes.

Possible release forms

All types of manufactured Kalgon are very convenient to use. However, they are used in different ways, depending on the form.

Exists:

• economical Calgon powder - to be added to the tray along with washing powder;
• Calgon tablets - for especially hard water and adding directly to the washing machine drum;
• gel form - perfect for very hard water, and for softer water.

Packaging

1. Powder packages are produced in packs weighing 0.55 kg, 1 kg, 1.6 kg.
2. Tablets are packaged in the amount of 12, 15, 32, 35, 40 and 70 tablets per pack.
3. The gel is bottled in plastic bottles of 0.75, 1.5 and 2 liters.

Existing Calgon substitutes or alternative

Of course, Calgon is not a panacea in protecting the washing machine from plaque, scale and dirt. There are other, cheaper alternatives. Perhaps they are less effective, it is possible that they are less advertised, but they exist.

Here are their examples:

1. Alfagon,
2. Antinakipin,
3. Lemon acid.

Both the first and the second are quite capable of coping with the problems of contamination of the heating element of the washing machine and the drum.But the real effect of these alternative remedies has been studied and tested much worse than Calgon.

Also, to clean the drum and heater, you can use the simplest citric acid, pouring it into the liquid compartment.

How does Calgon work?

Calgon breaks down scale with its active substances.

If the layer of plaque in the drum and on the heating element of the washing machine is more than 1 mm, then the energy consumption increases to 10% of the norm.

Scale-breaking Calgon easily copes with the appearance of these problems.

Polycarboxylic acids break down existing plaque, and polyethylene glycol prevents the formation of new scale, softening hard chloride water.

conclusions

Any automatic washing machine simply needs constant care for mechanisms and components that are constantly in contact with water.