Calgon for washing machine: rules of use and its analogues

What is the remedy for?

Many people firmly believe that Calgon is a descaling product. But that's not true. The main purpose of the drug is to prevent scale formation, that is, if there are already salt deposits on parts of the washing machine, then use will be useless.

Thus, Calgon is a water softener. Its one-time use will not give much results; it must be used every time you wash. The product “binds” salts that are present in hard water and prevents their deposition on the machine elements.

Additional functions of the drug:

• laundry is washed better in soft water;
• due to the decrease in calcium content in water, white things do not turn gray;
• the consumption of the main detergent is reduced;
• things remain soft even without use
• Eliminates unpleasant odor from the drum.

The use of Calgon does not harm tissues and does not harm human health.

Is it possible to do without Calgon?

To understand whether your washing machine needs this cleaner, you should find out what properties it has. According to the manufacturer, adding the drug to the machine when washing clothes works as follows:

• prevents the formation of limescale on the elements and components of the washing machine;
• saves washing powder;
• keeps the drum clean;
• eliminates unpleasant odor inside the SMA.

You should not consider Calgon as a method for solving the problem of already formed deposits in the washing machine. It is only a water softener and is therefore intended solely to prevent the formation of lime deposits.

For maximum effect, the manufacturer recommends using an anti-scale agent for the automatic washing machine with each wash.

Skeptics cite arguments that speak of its uselessness and ineffectiveness for the machine. They explain this as follows:

1. The composition of high-quality powder already includes softening substances that weaken the negative impact of an aggressive environment.
2. A water softening filter (polyphosphate or magnetic) installed on a water pipe, which costs several times less, automatically eliminates the need to use additional chemicals.
   

3. Most programs involve washing clothes at a temperature of 40 °C and below, while active scale formation occurs at a minimum of 60 °C. Therefore, if Calgon protects equipment from scale deposits, it will do so only if it runs washing programs with high water temperatures.

Manufacturers of washing machines do not deny the fact that equipment needs to prevent scale formation. But this needs to be done much less often and not necessarily using advertised drugs.

Forms

The drug Calgon is available in several different forms:

• Powder. Packaged in cardboard boxes and plastic soft packaging of different weights. The inconvenience of this option is the difficulty of dosing.
• Pills. Sold in boxes. Minimum packaging – 12 tablets in one package. The advantage of this option is that it is impossible to make a mistake with the dosage.
• Gel. Sold in polymer bottles and canisters of various sizes. The gel is convenient to use, the packaging is compact, and in addition, incomplete dissolution of the drug is avoided.

Release form

The product is presented on the market in three versions:

• Powder – available in packages of 0.5, 1 and 1.6 kg;
• Tablets - in boxes of 12, 15, 32, 35, 40, 70 pieces;
• Gel – bottled 0.75, 1.5 and 2 l.

Regardless of the release form, as long as the dosage indicated on the package is observed, the concentration of active substances in the water of the washing machine will be the same.

Where to put the powder and fill in the Calgon gel in the washing machine

Not everyone likes to read the instructions, which tell you in detail how to use the product. The product should not be poured directly into the drum or into the conditioner compartment. It should be remembered that it must be poured into the washing powder compartment. This compartment in the tray is usually the largest. You can also add Calgon to the powder compartment intended for the soaking process.

Or you can mix a single dose of powder and Calgon powder in advance and pour the ready-made mixture into the tray. If a liquid form of the product is used, then the gel should be poured into the same section for the powder.

The required amount of Calgon depends on the hardness of the water. The product in powder form comes with a measuring spoon, while the gel product is measured using the cap of the bottle.

• with medium hardness, add 30-32 g of the drug, that is, a third of the measuring container (according to the marks);
• with increased – 60-64 g, that is, two-thirds of the measurement;
• if the salt content is high, you need to add a full glass, that is, 96 g of powder or gel.

When using tablets, you do not need to measure anything. 1 piece is added to the powder, regardless of the degree of water hardness.

To achieve results, the manufacturer recommends using the product with every wash.

Beneficial features

Calgon is needed for more than just 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. To prevent things from getting repaired, the manufacturer of Calgona recommends adding it to the powder with each wash. (See also: How to clean a washing machine from scale and dirt)

What are the main advantages that Calgon can boast of:

1. Saving washing powder (since softened water requires less of it than hard water).
2. Preventing the appearance of scale on the internal parts of the machine (and thereby increasing the service life of the automatic washing machine).
3. Preserving the bright colors of the laundry (as it does not allow scale to settle on the fabric).
4. Improving the quality of washing (since even stubborn stains are washed better in soft water).

When does the application not make sense?

The use of Calgon is not justified in all cases. It is useless to use this drug if:

• the house has a water filtration system with softening;
• a washing mode with a temperature below 60 degrees is used, since at a low temperature scale particles are not formed.

In addition, any modern detergent in automatic washing machines already contains water softening additives. And if the water hardness in the region is moderate, these additives are enough to prevent scale formation. If the water is hard, then additional softening agents should be used.

Characteristics and composition of Calgon

Sodium tripolyphosphate is the main active ingredient. As a result of the interaction of the substance with charged calcium particles, water hardness decreases. Kalgon includes:

• about 30% – polycarboxylates;
• up to 15% – microcrystalline cellulose;
• about 5% – polyethylene glycol.

Polycarboxylates prevent the formation of carbonates that form limescale. Calgon contains surfactants that reduce surface tension and increase soil removal efficiency.

The manufacturer produces the product in 3 forms:

• powder;
• pills;
• gel.

In all cases, the composition is identical; the tablets have the advantage of ease of dosing.

Calgon has a pleasant, unobtrusive aroma that does not affect the freshness of washed items.

How can you replace Calgon?

Calgon has many analogues, but little is known about them, since they are not widely advertised. Analogues have the same composition, only fragrances and fillers may differ. That is, those substances that do not affect the effectiveness of the drug. The results of using Calgon and its analogues are the same, and many domestically produced products are much cheaper.

Examples of analogues:

1. CalMagnon +5. The product binds calcium and magnesium ions, due to which solid deposits do not form on machine parts.
2. Big Wash. This product is even more effective than Calgon, as it not only prevents the appearance of scale, but also removes existing deposits.
3. Yplon Anti-Calc . A Turkish-made product that effectively removes calcium ions and softens water.

All of the above products are much cheaper than Calgon, and the effect of their use is no worse. An even cheaper analogue of Calgon is soda ash. It is enough to add 2-3 tablespoons of soda to a regular portion of powder to achieve the same effect as after using Calgon.

Soda ash softens water and enhances the properties of washing powder. However, this product will “work” if the washing temperature is 50 degrees or higher. It is prohibited to use soda ash to wash items made from delicate fabrics.

Another inexpensive folk remedy is citric acid. It is recommended to be used for the prevention and cleaning of small deposits. Use only when the washing machine is empty, as the acidic environment can contribute to the destruction of clothes.

How to use:

• 100 g of acid is poured into the powder tray (this amount is for a machine with a maximum load of 5-6 kg);
• there should be no things in the drum;
• close the door"
• set the mode for washing cotton (with maximum temperature) and start the machine.

After the cycle is completed, you can run an additional rinse mode, after which you need to ventilate the machine by opening the door. Such treatment as a preventive measure should be carried out no more than twice a year.

Result of using the product

Most often, hard water flows from our taps. You may ask, what's wrong with this? Hard water always leads to the formation of plaque and scale. All this forms on all the internal parts of your washing machine. With each wash, hard water passes through many parts, leaving a mark on them. Ultimately, your machine will quickly break down. As mentioned above, repairs will be quite expensive, and the result of the further operation of the washing machine is unknown.

During any wash, the heating elements of the washing machine heat up to a temperature of 100-110° C. “Calgon”, due to its chemical composition, dissolves and softens hard water. Thus, it protects all important parts of the machine from scale formation on them. After which the washing machine will work twice as long, more efficiently, and the quality of washing will remain the same. In addition, Calgon will help maintain the softness and color of your items.

Application

In order to add Calgon, the instructions on the packaging of the product say that it is enough to take a third of a measuring cup if you are using water of medium hardness. This applies to powder and gel. Since the tablets have a constant dosage, they are always used one at a time.

Mixed with the detergent, it is fed into the drum under running water

For hard water, take two-thirds of a glass. If the water is too hard, then add full. The volume of the measuring cup is 96 ml. If the cup is missing, you can use scales, having previously set the weighing measure to milliliters.

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Calgon is poured into the receiving tray of the washing machine along with the powder. The tablet is placed there.

It is not recommended to pour softener into the drum directly onto the laundry. It is best if Calgon is mixed with powder before it gets on things.

The effect of the product will be achieved if you use it every time you wash. Do not forget that when using Calgon, take the powder as for washing in soft water.