I have Calgon. Now what?

[nbrackman]

Hi everyone!

So I have very hard water, very very hard. It could get up and walk away, IYKWIM.

I finally bought a bottle of Calgon. Now what do I do with it -- i.e. how often do I use it; when I wash dipes do I put it in the pre-rinse or the wash cycle, and do I put it with the detergent? Do I need to rinse more? Help!

[Momof3Labs]

I put it in the wash cycle with the detergent, and sometimes in the second cycle in the detergent cup.

[Joolsplus2]

Mr Lee, how do you get your shirts so clean?
Ancient Chinese secret... ;)

Lame question, do they have any instructions on the bottle/box?


Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[nbrackman]

Julie, you're funny.

There are instructions, but as with regular detergent (whose instructions I also don't follow because they tell you to put in too much and then I get buildup) I'm wary of following package instructions. Also, because it's diapers, I'm doing a cold wash (or rinse, depending on whether they're soiled or just wet dipes) w/o detergent, then a long cycle hot wash with Charlie's Soap, then an extra rinse. So I didn't know when to put the Calgon in or how much (less?) re: the package instructions.

I hate changing my wash routine because then I don't know what precisely the problem is if there is one, esp. because my water is so freakingly hard.

[nisi]

Ideally, you should add it every time you fill the washer before detergent or any other additives. However, that's going to get expensive - around $1 for every load of dipes** - so you may want to experiment and see where it will do you the most good.

That said, I have pretty hard water and I didn't see much difference with Calgon as part of the regular wash routine. I occasionally add it to the wash when the water is harder than normal (like when we've run out of softener salt), but it's just too expensive for me to use it regularly and not see fantastic results. I also use it to strip sometimes - run the dipes with hot HOT water and Calgon, nothing else, until you don't see suds.

Here's a link about water conditioners that I found helpful. Take a look at the section about non-precipitating water conditioners (that's what Calgon is)
http://www.p2pays.org/ref/20/19738.htm

I wish you much luck keeping your dipes fresh & clean in your hard water. :D

-Nisi



** figuring about $4 for a 16-load bottle of Calgon and a pre-rinse, wash, rinse, 2nd rinse for a load of dipes

[Joolsplus2]

Yeah, I understand, I was just wondering what it said (They don't sell it at Target or I'd have some, lol).

Nisi's the queen of washing in hard water, I hope her advice helps.

:)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx