Water Softeners

[beadsobleach]

I have a question for the experts. I started using water softener for my wash (White King) for this hard desert water. It says you only need half the detergent. It seems to work well, nice suds. But what about the rinse? Do I add it for that too? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[launderess]

If one has hard water then yes, it is good to add a small amount of water softener to the rinse water. Much would depend however on what sort of washing machine one is using and or number or rinses.

With top loading washing machines set to one rinse, there might be enough detergent and water softener left from the wash cycle to prevent hard water mineral build-up with the rinse cycle. OTHO a front loading unit that rinses multiple times may require a water softener with final rinse after a series.

Your eyes and hands will tell you if your routine needs adjusting. If laundry starts to turn hard/scratchy, and whites and colours begin to look dull/dingy, then some water softener in the rinse may be in order.

L.

 

[mrboilwash]

I would never add a water softener to the rinse if not suggested to do so by the package`s directions.
OK, this was common practice decades ago when soap was primarily used for laundry and water softeners were 100% phosphate based. But with todays chemical mixtures like zeolithes, citrates, washing soda and so on, I would not take the risk.
Sodium Carbonate for example is pretty alcaline and might be irritant for the skin if not diluted.

 

[launderess]

White King is mainly STPP, which is totally acceptable for rinse water softening.

 

[launderess]

Packaged water softeners tended to be phosphate based (at least in the United States), but once local bans took hold, STPP for the most part has been replaced by washing soda in the few remaining products besides White King, such as Calgon powder.

Liquid water softeners tend towards sodium citrate, which if used properly will not leave any sort of residue to harm fabrics nor human skin. Indeed many laundry "sours" contain citrates since their mild acid pH helps remove any alkaline residue from detergents.

 

[mrboilwash]

Sorry didn`t know that White King is pure STTP. I meant from a European point of few I would never do that. Even not with STTP because it is slightly alkaline. On the other hand I know some Americans even bath in that stuff (Vaseline Bath Beads).
Over here Calgon powder is a chemical mixture , mainly zeolithe based, and would leave a white residue on clothes if not rinsed out.
Their tabs and liquids are mainly citrates and polycarboxylates and other stuff. Again not sure if I would want that undiluted on my skin, because it is simply not designed for the rinse.

When Soap was still used to wash clothes we also had phosphate based rinse additives but those were only used for the first hot rinse to prevent soap scum and had to be rinsed out in further cold rinses. I guess this explains my "European" attitude. We simply never left a water softener in our clothes.

 

[launderess]

White King is "mainly" STPP, not sure of the percentage. WK is the only phosphate based packaged water softner left in the US now that Amway removed "Smashing White" and Calgon switched over to sodium carbonate (powder) and sodium citrate (liquid) bases.

IIRC phosphates do not raise the pH of water that much even though they are alkaline. Certianly no where as much as say either borax or washing soda.

As for adding packaged water softener to the rinse, we are not speaking of adding heaps of the stuff. Depending upon how hard one's water is, any where from a tablespoon (or less) to 1/4 cup would do. This would also depend upon the volume of water as well, with toploading machines on high water level needing more than a modern water stingy front loader.

Many rinse additives such as fabric conditioners,softeners and starches contain some sort of water softener. Most laundry starches for instance contain borax which helps with ironing besides softening water (if used in the rinse bath as opposed to spray).

Though used mainly in commercial laundries, there are final rinse additives meant to counter act hard water minerals, especially water high in "rust" or iron, which can leave laundry brown. These additives contian some sort of "water softener" designed to sequester or some how hold said minerals away from fabrics in the rinse water.

L.

 

[beadsobleach]

Thanks

All the information was quite useful, BTW I have a 2001 TL Whirlpool, and use Tide powder. I was surprised to see White King contained phosphates, as I thought they were long gone. But it does kick a** with the water here in Northern Nevada. I will try adding some to the rinse and see what happens. As I work outdoors, the added softness will probably help with the dryness here in the desert on my skin. Laundress, you know your stuff!

 

[beadsobleach]

To Launderess

Sorry about the "e", I had had a few stabilizing cock-tails after a long day at the mine. Tried the White King in the rinse, worked great, thanks again.....