Ancient Chinese Secret!

[veg-o-matic]

Remember the Calgon commercial? "My husband. Some hotshot! Here's his ancient Chinese secret..."

Well, I decided to conduct an experiment. I have some "white" shirts that were so dingy they really looked grey no matter how much bleach I used. So I bought myself a jug o' Calgon, and ran them through the washer on Hot.
No detergent, just bleach in the dispenser.

As I watched through the window, I was disappointed to see a distinct lack of suds forming. Turns out I was just a bit impatient.

Towards the end of the wash cycle, there was a *significant* head of suds in the tub. So much so that I ran the dial around and started the cycle again. By the time the wash cycle finally ended, it looked like there was a possibility of oversudsing!

I made sure to use the extra rinse option, figuring it only made sense.

Wellsir, when I pulled those shirts out, they looked wearable again! Not pristine sparkling white like when they were brand new, but darn close.

Sixteen loads in a 5-dollar jug of Calgon. Now I'm going to see what it does to the towels...

veg

 

[launderess]

Calgon is nothing mroe than a water softener,formally phosphate in some areas with washing soda and sodium citrate mix in others. Now all sodium carbonate and sodium citrate.

Common directions for brightening dingy whites has been for ages to launder in the hottest water allowed with either washing soda or some other water softener. The water softeners allow detergent and hard water residue trapped in laundry to "leech" out into the wash water, this is where all the suds are coming from.

Proper rinsing and attention to detergent dosing will prevent the problem in the first place, as using a good phosphate detergent/adding STPP to the wash water.

If I have a load of laundry that has too much suds remaining after three rinses, will wash again in hot water and about 2 tablespoons of STPP (phosphates). Wash water is sudsy, but rinses are clear, all for the above reasons.

Launderess

 

[westytoploader]

Just wondering, what brand/type of machine do you have? You haven't stated it in your profile.

 

[westytoploader]

Just wondering, what brand/type of machine do you have? You haven't stated it in your profile.

 

[kenmore1978]

machine type

Yeah, I was wondering what type of machine all this was taking place in, too

 

[veg-o-matic]

You mean me?

I've got a Frigidaire FL. Got it last spring.

veg