Calgon for Washing Machines - Yay or Nay?

anotheruser

I've never used Calgon before and the washing machine has lasted for about 6/7 years. Only today have I discovered a large pool of water. It could be a coincidence and I'm not reading too much into it but I used 6 calgon tablets over the last 24/36 months or so.

But are they a waste of money?

Voting: On the whole / average / looking at the last 12 months.

Nilrem

IIRC they're meant to help with hard water, but I suspect it would have to be very very hard for it to have the sort of build up they show in the adverts.
You'd probably also have to be using some old or really cheap dishwasher tablets, as I suspect most have something in them nowadays by default.

We've never used it, and our water is hard but we've never had any limescale build up in our washers (despite only ever using the aldi tablets, and not even separate salt for the past 10+ years).
The kettle scales up in no time, but the dishwasher is fine..

The pool of water is probably pure coincidence, and quite possibly down to something like a rubber seal or hose that has worn.

nanto3girls

I have been thinking about using Calgon over the last few days.
We bought a new washer last week, and i mentioned to hubby about using Calgon, as we are in a hard water area. Hubby doesn't think we need to use it, as all our washing machines have lasted for approximately 7 to 8½ years.
Would be interesting to hear other opinions.

atolaas

I run my washing machine empty on a 90 degree wash once a month. I spoke to a washing machine engineer who said that's all you need to do to keep your washing machine running well. Calgon is a waste of money, according to him.

nanto3girls

Just found this on another thread.


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/136637

JJ_Egan

Cost of Calgon over a three year period versus cost of replacement washer .Would be my starting point .

EssexExile

The first post on that other forum about sums it up. I'd just add don't use ecological detergents, you should see the insides of a washing machine after a few years of that, bluegh!

Hermia

A friend who works for a company that makes washing machines says they are worth using from new if you live in a hard water area. He did say not to start using them on an old machine as that can be damaging.

esuhl

Calgon is expensive! I never use it. I live in a hard-water area, but my current washing machine must be about 15 to 20 years old and works fine.

I never bothered descaling it until recently. I ran it on a hot quick wash, and poured about 100ml of formic acid into the detergent drawer as soon as it started trying to wash the detergent down. I think it's done the job...

I did the same to the dishwasher recently too (almost every house fire I've heard about starts due to a dishwasher fault!). Anyway, 100ml of formic acid has the element and insides sparkling like new.

WestonDave

We live in a very hard water area and do not use Calgon. Our Bosch washing machine is around 15 years old and has not shown any signs of scale damage but it has had a set of replacement motor brushes. Therefore our experience suggests that washing machines are likely to die from something else before scale damage that Calgon might prevent becomes relevant.

Shambler

Always lived in hard water areas and I've never had a washing machine break down due to hard water.


Here's an interesting article on the cost of calgon...http://conversation.which.co.uk/energy-home/calgon-washing-machines-limescale-live-longer/