Washing machines don't live longer with Calgon

moonrakerz

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/8537172/Washing-machines-dont-live-longer-with-Calgon.html

1984ReturnsForReal_2

“Coping with a machine breakdown in the middle of winter or on a weekend, for example, with a family sized laundry basket to deal with can be a very expensive option."

Coping with a machine breakdown in the middle of power cut on Christmas Day on Mars for example, with a family sized laundry basket to deal with can be a very expensive option.

WestonDave

We live in a very hard water area, have had our Bosch machine for around 9 years, which we purchased originally for less than £500. In the last 6 years since we've had kids its done at least 3 loads per week on average, and prior to that probably around 1.5 loads per week. Probably around 1200 loads in all. Calgon tablets are around 20p each - had we bothered to put Calgon in it we'd have spent £240 supposedly to prolong the life of a machine which should do over 10 years. If it works, it must have a pretty marginal effect!

(The only repair cost on the machine was £15 for some new motor brushes which I fitted myself about 18 months ago!)

Meepster

I'm sorry, but simulating 3 years worth of washing isn't the same as doing 3 years worth of washing and the effects it has on the machine will bear no resemblance.

The main problem with limescale is on the heating element and the more often the machine is used, the more limescale will be produced accordingly. Sodium tripolyphosphate (which is one of the main ingredients in Calgon and all other water softeners) will continue to work after the heating cycle is complete, as it is more effective at cooler temperatures. Continually using the machine will not allow the heating element to cool down sufficiently and therefore the compound will not work effectively. In the pipes, a build up of limescale occurs more when water is left stagnant, so using it more over a shorter period of time isn't the same as using it over three years and will therefore have less limescale.

Maybe if they were to do an experiment OVER 3 years, using the machine 4 times per week (UK average use) one with Calgon, one without, they would have a far more accurate and concise result. I'm also willing to bet the results would favour the one using the additive.

Which? is becoming more and more unreliable if you ask me. Some of the tests they do are severely biased for or against a particular brand...

moonrakerz

Meepster wrote: »

The build up of limescale occurs more when water is left stagnant, so using it more over a shorter period of time isn't the same as using it over three years and will therefore have less limescale.

Just when is the water left "stagnant" ? When the machine is in use the water is in almost constant motion. When it is not in use there is very little left in the bottom of the machine as it is all pumped out.
The heating element is not in the water at this point so the wonderful pictures Calgon use in their ads of a scale encrusted element - shall we say - are not "representative" of reality.

1984ReturnsForReal_2

Meepster wrote: »

The build up of limescale occurs more when water is left stagnant

No its not. Its when its heated.

Meepster

:eek: Apologies, it looks like something went wrong there, a huge chunk of text is missing, let me edit...

1984ReturnsForReal_2

Meepster wrote: »

:eek: Apologies, it looks like something went wrong there, a huge chunk of text is missing, let me edit...

Edit away

T_T_2

There would be no need to use water softening additives if an inline scale inhibitor was place onto the cold mains...

Meepster

1984ReturnsForReal wrote: »

Edit away

Done ...

NeverInDebt

Never needed to use it washing ,machine we have is at least 5-6 years old and used daily, whether thats because water in our are is not hard I dont know whether it is or not