Research on laundering has shown that many factors affect the cleanliness of the wash. One often ignored factor is the quality of the water used. Several laundry problems are directly related to minerals, organic matter, and other impurities in the water supply. Some laundry problems may have similar symptoms but more than one possible cause. To determine if a combination of factors or water quality alone is responsible for your laundry problem, consider your equipment, water, products and procedures.
Problem: Hard Water
Laundry Symptoms:
1. Dinginess or graying, yellowing
2. General soil build-up
3. Stiff, harsh feel to fabrics
4. White or gray streaks on colored fabrics
Calcium and magnesium are usually the minerals that make water hard. The greater the concentration of these minerals, the harder the water. Hard water doesn't clean as effectively as soft water. In hard water much of the detergent added to the washer goes to soften the water instead of to clean the clothes. This means that more detergent must be used than in soft water. Softening water by using more detergent has two drawbacks; it is expensive and if the detergent contains phosphate it can add to water pollution. Heavy duty liquid detergents will remove soil in hard water almost as effectively as powdered phosphatebuilt detergents and they do not contribute to water pollution. Non-phosphate powdered detergents and soap do not perform satisfactorily in hard water.
Solution: To prevent the problems caused by hard water, take two actions. First, use adequate amounts of low-sudsing phosphate detergent or heavy duty liquid detergent and water as hot as recommended for the fabric since all detergents perform better at higher temperatures in any quality water.
Second, soften the water. Water may be softened in the washer with nonprecipitating ion-exchange water conditioners, commonly sold in grocery stores simply as water conditioners. Water softener systems which exchange sodium for calcium and magnesium may also be connected to the water supply lines for the washer, the kitchen, or for the entire house. However, persons on sodium-restricted diets should consult their physicians before adding a water softener system to lines that supply water for drinking and cooking because the sodium content of the water will increase.
To remedy problems that have already occurred, fill the washer with the hottest water appropriate for the fabric. Add four times the normal amount of phosphate detergent and one cup of nonprecipitating water conditioner. Agitate just long enough to wet the clothes. Soak overnight or for about twelve hours. Drain and spin without agitating. Launder, using regular cycle, no detergent, and one cup of nonprecipitating water conditioner. If needed, repeat the launderings using one cup of nonprecipitating water conditioner and no detergent until no suds appear during the rinses. In order to remove all dinginess it may be necessary to launder with one cup nonprecipitating water conditioner and bleach which is safe for the fabric, following package instructions for the amount of bleach to use.
Problem: Rusty water or red water
Laundry Symptom
ΓÇó Yellow, red or brown stains
ΓÇó Yellowing, especially when chlorine bleach is used
Rusty or red water is caused by iron. Iron may be dissolved in the water or may be suspended as particles, or iron bacteria may cause the problem. The iron may come from the water supply or from a water heater or metal parts in the well that are rusty.
Solulion: Replacing a rusty water heater may solve the problem. Dissolved iron may be removed by water softening equipment, special iron-removal equipment or filters, chlorination and filtering through sand and carbon, or by aeration followed by sand filtration. Chlorination and filtering also removes iron bacteria. Chlorine reacts with the dissolved iron to form particles of iron (an insoluable precipitate) which do not dissolve and settle out of the water. If the precipitate is formed in the washer by the use of chlorine bleach during laundering it will be deposited in the fabric and cannot be removed.
To remove rust stains from white and colorfast washable fabrics, use a commercial rust remover. Follow product directions. Do not use commercial rust removers in the washing machine. Be sure all traces of rust remover are rinsed from the fabric. An alternate method is to sprinkle salt on the spot and dampen it with lemon juice. Dry articles in the sun, then rinse. Test procedures on a hidden portion of the article first, since they may cause color change. Take non-colorfast fabrics to a commercial laundry for professional treatment.
Problem: Turbid water
Laundry Symptoms
ΓÇó Yellowing and dinginess
Turbid water has very fine particles of silt, clay, or organic material in it. Normally, this problem is prevented by water treatment plants. It may be a problem for small private water supplies.
Solution: A filter is needed to collect the suspended particles before the water enters the lines. If you do not filter the water, nonprecipitating water conditioners added each time the washer fills may help hold the particles in suspension and away from clothes.
Stains and yellowness from turbid water may be removed by laundering with bleach appropriate for the fabric.
Problem: Acid water
Laundry Symptoms
ΓÇó Red, reddish brown, green, or blue stains
Acid water is caused by a variety of conditions, the most common being carbon dioxide dissolved in the water. The stains on fabrics are caused by the corrosive action of the water on pipes. The type of metal used in the pipe determines the color of the stains.
Solution: The problems of acid water must be corrected with chemicals and filters. For example, a soda ash solution feeder or a bed of coarse limestone chips will raise the pH of acid water.
Metallic stains on fabrics may be difficult to remove. Treat red or reddish brown stains as rust stains. Blue or green stains may respond to bleach if it is safe for the fabric.
More Than Laundry
Water quality affects more than laundry. It may also affect your health, the taste and odor of the water, as well as the operation and life span of appliances. If you suspect you have water quality problems, have your water tested and take the steps necessary to improve the quality. There are a number of places to have water samples tested, usually for a fee. Some large cities have water quality testing laboratories associated with their health departments that may provide sample analysis. Many commercial testing laboratories also test water samples. The Texas Department of Health routinely analyzes home water samples for bacterial contamination and performs certain chemical tests upon referral by a physician. The Soil and Water Testing Laboratory of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service also tests water for salts and some other impurities.
References
Pettyjohn, W.A. "Soft Water and Soap." Lisle, Illinois: Water Quality Association.
Private Water Systems Handbook. Ames, Iowa: Midwest Plan service, 1979.
Purchase, M.E. "Quality WaterΓÇöYour First Step to a Cleaner Wash." Lisle, Illinois: Water Quality Association.
Saunders, B. "Clothing Care." College Station, Texas: Texas Agricultural Extension Service, 1982.
"Water-Quality Improvements For Farmstead and Rural Home Water Systems." College Station, Texas: Texas Agricultural Extension Service, 1985.
Brochure issued by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service. The Texas A&M University System. 10MΓÇö3-88, New. L-2278.
