Tap water in most regions of Russia is characterized by increased hardness. This factor negatively affects washing machines. Scale forms on equipment elements. Solid salt deposits reduce the thermal conductivity of the heating element, and then provoke a short circuit in the electrical circuit, which often leads to breakdown of the main control module.
This is why it is so important to use special water softeners. One of the most popular is Calgon. Let's look at the instructions for Calgon Gel and tell you how it helps prevent the formation of scale on the elements of the machine.
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.
Purpose of the substance
The use of Calgon reduces the amount of basic detergents (powder, soap) that needs to be taken per wash. The product prevents the appearance of scale on the heating element of the washing unit, as well as on its other parts. This helps extend the life of the device, protecting against premature breakdowns.
p, blockquote 7,0,0,0,0 —>
Also protects things from scale. It settles on the laundry during washing, causing it to turn gray each time. Allows you to better remove stains, especially stubborn ones.
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.
Prices
On average, a pack of Calgona can be purchased in the price range from 150 to 200 rubles per 500 grams. With constant use, this amount of product will last you for a month. Thus, you will spend about 2,000 rubles per year. At first glance, not so much, but if you think about the real effect of the product, it turns out that the amount is impressive. If you consider that replacing a heating element will cost you less, on average no more than 1,300 rubles. Let us note that without any cleaning or maintenance, the heating element will serve properly for 3 to 5 years. It turns out that it is easier to change the heating device once every three years than to spend money on useless Calgon.
However, if you still want to somehow protect your machine from scale, you can make the product yourself at home. To do this, just mix sodium tripolyphosphate and soda.
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.
Damage from scale
Limescale causes significant harm to the washing machine, specifically:
- A tubular heater coated with scale loses heat conductivity, due to which its coil overheats and the part fails;
- The appearance of dirt in the middle of the machine leads to clogging of the drain system, which leads to its malfunction;
- Scale deposits on the internal parts of the machine reduce its working life by at least half.
Important: using inappropriate cleaning products or incorrectly cleaning the automatic machine provokes the formation of scale with even greater force. Before carrying out work on cleaning a washing machine, you should definitely consult with experts or analyze the manual for performing such work in order to do everything according to the rules. It does not matter which car is going to be cleaned - Bosch, Indesit or another brand.
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
Calgon product consists of several active components. The most active ingredient is sodium tripolyphosphate. It is this that immediately begins to enter into a peculiar reaction with calcium ions contained in the water. Due to this effect, the level of liquid hardness is normalized, and scale stops forming.
Other components include:
- polycarboxylates;
- microcrystalline cellulose;
- surface-acting substances.
It is important that the smell of this product is light, not overwhelming and even pleasant. So Calgon additionally helps fight unpleasant odors that the washing machine begins to emit over time.
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:
- CalMagnon +5. The product binds calcium and magnesium ions, due to which solid deposits do not form on machine parts.
- Big Wash. This product is even more effective than Calgon, as it not only prevents the appearance of scale, but also removes existing deposits.
- 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.
Why does scale appear?
On washing machines that have been in operation for a couple of years, you can notice particles of dirt that cannot be removed with a cloth from plastic and metal surfaces.
There are several reasons for the formation of such crystallized plaque:
- For two or three years of operation of the unit, no preventive maintenance was carried out;
- The washing
used has a high content of chemical impurities; - The machine
often washes in high temperature and fast modes; - The water in the water metering unit was often turned off;
- The water used is excessively hard or unclean. The scale on the Tubular Heater is a crust of hardened magnesium and potassium salts. After a certain time, it only increases, which leads to overheating of the heater and its burnout;
- Due to the occurrence of scale in places where the machine is difficult to reach, some of its parts quickly wear out and break.
There is a simple way to help you promptly notice a problem brewing. It is necessary to look through the hole at the bottom of the drum onto the tubular heater to assess its condition. If necessary, use a flashlight. If there is a layer of scale on the heater, it’s time to clean it.
What does it consist of?
Contrary to expectations, the composition of the powder is not that complicated. It contains only a few main components.
- Polyethylene glycol in a proportion of less than 5%.
- Microcrystalline cellulose in a proportion of 5 to 15%.
- Polycarboxylates make up from 15 to 30% of the total mass of the substance.
The remaining half of the product is formed by ordinary sodium tripolyphosphates and... soda! Some element names don't sound very friendly, but don't worry
The composition of Calgon is completely harmless to human health if used as intended and precautions are taken. For example, be careful not to get the powder in your eyes or inside your body.
In the first case, rinse your eyes thoroughly with water. In the second, you need to drink as much water as possible and seek help from a specialist.
The rest of the precautions are familiar to every housewife: pour in a measuring spoon to avoid overdose, store out of the reach of children and away from sunny things. Also, in order to avoid unpleasant situations, it is better to keep the powder away from any food products.
Recommendations for using Calgon are in the instructions; it must be added to the machine in the required quantities when washing.
