Features of calgon for washing machines
Created by the German company Calgon detergent for washing machines prevents the formation of limescale on the parts of the washing machine and softens hard water. Many are skeptical about the product, because the composition is quite simple. Its main components are sodium tripolyphosphate with soda. However, the use of Calgon in certain cases may make sense.
The apartment does not have a filtration system that softens the water. You should not rely on a normal salt content. In ordinary water supply, indicators, as a rule, reach the upper threshold of the permissible values.
A frequently used wash cycle is 60 degrees and above. It is at this temperature that scale particles form.
Advantages and disadvantages
Based on the information on the packaging and consumer reviews, the following positive characteristics of Calgon can be distinguished:
- softens hard chlorinated water;
- does not allow the formation of scale during washing;
- protects machine parts from rapid wear;
- reduces the consumption of washing powder;
- helps in the fight against unpleasant odor from the drum;
- has an unobtrusive light aroma.
Calgon is unable to remove the plaque already present on the heating element and other parts of the washing machine. It works to prevent, but not to remove, accumulated salt deposits.
The main disadvantage of Colgon is its price. Now on the household chemicals market, you can pick up a cheaper analogue with similar effects, albeit not as advertised. In addition, many automatic washing powders already include water softeners.
What are its analogues
Professional descaling products usually contain acids. It is they who dissolve scale and help clean the machine. They are used not in the process of washing the laundry, but separately, starting the cycle in idle mode, that is, with an empty drum.
But you can periodically apply folk methods, thereby maintaining the purity of the mechanism.
Lemon acid
The instructions for cleaning the washing machine from limescale with citric acid are not much different. 150-200 g of the product are placed in the compartment for washing powder. Some people prefer to pour half of the citric acid directly into the drum, or so.
Select the longest program on the program panel with a temperature of 95º. The machine is run empty. After the end of the cycle, the rinse or quick wash mode is additionally started. It is advisable to do this so that the scale particles are thoroughly washed down the drain.
If the washer also needs “shock” disinfection, you can use an additional component - bleach.Citric acid is poured all into the same main compartment for detergents.
At the same time, a glass of bleach is added to the drum. Such cleaning should not be carried out more often than after 3 months. Chlorine is more aggressive and can corrode rubber parts.
Vinegar
The description of the manipulations is similar, but there is a slight difference. Approximately 15-20 minutes after starting the cycle, the machine with vinegar (2 glasses) is stopped for an hour ("pause" mode).
Then start washing further. Finally, run the system in rinsing mode. The degree of contamination of the water in the drum indicates the amount of accumulated debris.
Instructions for use
It is recommended to use Calgon every time the machine is turned on and in any temperature regime. At the same time, the main detergent is poured less, according to the scheme for soft water.
Powder
Powder Calgon is added to the main wash compartment, which is marked on the typewriter with the number II. It is poured on top of ordinary washing powder.
The dosage depends on how hard the water is in the tap. For complete protection against limescale, the manufacturer recommends its own application scheme.
With hard water, the one-time volume of free-flowing Calgon is 50 g. The amount is halved if the salt index is average. In the case of superhard water, the dose is increased to 75 g.
It can be calculated that a small pack (550 g) is enough for 8-10 washes on average. There are more economical packages of 1.1 and 1.6 kg.
Pills
Calgon tablets are convenient in that they are equally used for any degree of water hardness. For each wash, 1 piece is enough. Already at the stage of purchase, it is known exactly how long the box will last. On sale there are packs of 12, 15, 35, 40 and even 70 tablets.
According to the information on the packaging, add the tablet to the detergent tray. Many housewives put the capsule directly into the drum, which does not entail any special changes. The tool still works, while it does not harm the laundry.
Gel
The gel is presented in bottles of 0.75 l and 1.5-2 l. It is poured into a washing powder tray. The good thing about the liquid composition is that it dissolves quickly and completely.
Use the gel with every wash. 1 full cap and 2/3 more caps are added if the water is very hard. In other cases, 1 cap is enough per wash.
There is Calgon gel with a disinfection effect (turquoise, the bottle has a cross with a note that 99.9% of bacteria have been destroyed).
Here, the manufacturer offers a different option in addition to everyday use. For complete processing of the machine, once a month (after about 15 washes), pour 2 caps of the product, turn on the cycle with an empty drum at a temperature of 40 ° C.
Video: an overview of Calgon descaler