A question about additives such as BIZ.

[polkanut]

Most every time I do laundry I use my suds-saver option.  My question is this, does a laundry additive such as BIZ lose its effectiveness when the wash water is re-used for a 2nd or even 3rd time?  Would I need to add more to each consecutive load to derive the same benefit as in the initial load of laundry? 

[this post was last edited: 9/6/2013-09:20]

 

[launderess]

Maybe Not The Enzymes

But the oxygen bleach *could* depending upon several factors such as how cool the water becomes with each reuse. There is also the fact each batch of soiled wash will use up the cleaning/bleaching power in a probable ratio. IIRC detergents when gave instructions for wringer washing machines or twin tubs the amount to add for subsequent loads was always specified.

 

[ronhic]

My mother suds-saved for 20 years, but only ever used the wash water a second time.

When the machine was ready to do the next load, she would add another 1/3 of a measure of detergent. This ensured that the concentration was correct as whilst suds-savers might return 80% of the water that is discharged, there is a portion that is in the wet clothes too....

 

[polkanut]

Tide, Oxydol, Cheer, Bold, Instant Fels, and other detergents said that a ½cup of detergent should be added to each subsequent load.  I don't recall seeing any instructions of that sort on any additives such as BIZ, Axion, Blu White, LaFrance etc.

 

[polkanut]

bump

 

[yogitunes]

just as a good rule to practice....when reusing wash water, always add at least 1/2 of the dosage from the first load, as mentioned to bring the concentration back up for the following load....

 

[launderess]

additives such as BIZ, Axion, Blu White, LaFrance etc.

One can also imagine by the time many of the aforementioned washday products emerged wringers, twin tubs and even suds saving washing machines were on their way out.

Blue White and La France have of course been around since soap was the main washday "detergent". Have some old boxes of La France stashed about, will peep later to see if they make any mention of additional dosage for reusing water.

 

[polkanut]

I have a box of Blu White, but it mentions nothing about adding more for subsequent loads.