Calgon and hard water in washing machine

puddy

Ive been wondering about Calgon and I have read on a website that actually calgon doesnt do anything that detergent does, because detergent has built in limescale remover as long as you use the right amount.

However, what with all the emphasis on concentrated washing liquids and of course money saving, I try to use as little as possible so how do I know if Im using enough detergent. We are in a very hard water area, are there any cheapy solutions to ensure limescale doesnt build up? I bought the machine about 2 years ago and it was about 750 quid so I expect it to last about 15 years at least.

We cant afford to have a water softner installed

moonrakerz

This appears to be a "boom" industry at the moment. Calgon are advertising like crazy on TV and all the supermarkets are now producing their own label version - money to be made !

I wouldn't bother ! Most of the adverts show a heavily encrusted heating element - which TBH won't make that much, if any, difference to the performance of your machine. But it looks good in the ad !!!

Enterprise_1701C

We have an electronic water conditioner. People will come on here and say they do not work, but we know they do. As we are in a very hard water area I also use a magnetic ball in the machine too, actually in the tub. Sorry - can't recall where it came from though!

Blacksheep1979

Jane_Blackford wrote: »

We have an electronic water conditioner. People will come on here and say they do not work, but we know they do. As we are in a very hard water area I also use a magnetic ball in the machine too, actually in the tub. Sorry - can't recall where it came from though!

I've got some magic beans if you want...

Sensemaya

Calgon is just another product to buy.

Best to do a maintenance on 95c each month and I wipe the rubber door seal after each wash as well as taking out the dispenser draw, rinsing it out and wiping the compartment. No nasty build up of that black stuff. Only takes a few secs but worth it.

I also don't bother washing stuff on 30c all the time and never use liquid detergent ( except for silk). This is suppose to be bad for the machine.

I use bio powder for whites (60c wash) and coloured for the darks (40c)...

Sensemaya

Blacksheep1979 wrote: »

I've got some magic beans if you want...

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

magnetic balls...sounds great! All that banging about in the washing machine. Do they stick together or go their separate ways?

puddy

Sensemaya wrote: »

Calgon is just another product to buy.

Best to do a maintenance on 95c each month and I wipe the rubber door seal after each wash as well as taking out the dispenser draw, rinsing it out and wiping the compartment. No nasty build up of that black stuff. Only takes a few secs but worth it.

I also don't bother washing stuff on 30c all the time and never use liquid detergent ( except for silk). This is suppose to be bad for the machine.

I use bio powder for whites (60c wash) and coloured for the darks (40c)...

oh, we use liquid detergent all the time and wash on 40 mostly. i do sheets and stuff on 60. we dont use bio at all because we have sensitive skin. the drawer has never been used so i dont clean it and the drum is always cleaned and the rubber seal

Alye16

I buy Wilkos own and own use occasionally when I do a hot wash

Waffle_On

Vinegar makes a great fabric softener, and is also a great descaler.

Enterprise_1701C

Sensemaya wrote: »

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

magnetic balls...sounds great! All that banging about in the washing machine. Do they stick together or go their separate ways?

Does sound like that doesn't it!!! I should have said it is like a hollowed out rubber ball containing magnets! Bit like a cat ball but slightly less entertaining!

27col

There are very few areas of the country that have harder water than we do here in Hampshire.We have been running washing machines since the 1970's and have never found the need to use anything other then the cheapest tablets from ASDA. There has never been any sign of a lime scale build up in any of our machines.