4 folk remedies that will replace Calgon for the washing machine

Lemon acid

The product removes existing scale and prevents the formation of new deposits. It removes unpleasant odors and cleans internal surfaces of pathogenic microorganisms. It is enough to use it once every 6–12 months. More frequent use harms household appliances.

How to use citric acid:

1. Measure out the required amount of product and place it in the washing powder compartment.
2. Set the water temperature to +90°C, run a “idle wash” for 90–120 minutes.
3. When the machine has finished washing, open the door and wait for the internal surfaces to dry.

The amount of product used depends on the capacity of the drum. If the maximum load does not exceed 6 kg, 100–200 g of citric acid will be sufficient.

What does Calgon contain?

To find out what alternatives there are to using Calgon, you need to understand its chemical composition. In the instructions for use, the description of the main active ingredients of the drug is as follows:

• sodium polyphosphate (salt of polyphosphoric acid);
• polycarboxylates - a set of aggressive acids (about 30–35%);
• technical soda;
• polyethylene glycol;
• microcrystalline cellulose.

The last two components from the list have nothing to do with anti-scale formation. Polyethylene glycol acts as a flavoring agent, and cellulose, which has absorbent properties, gives the product structure.

The main active ingredients are the first three components - carboxylates , soda and sodium tripolyphosphate . They bind ions of calcium and magnesium salts, thereby preventing the deposition of limescale on important nodes and elements of the SMA.

Initially, the softener components were only soda and sodium polyphosphate. Over time, new components were added (fragrances, other flavorings), their proportions changed, but the main active ingredients remained the same.

Therefore, instead of Calgon, you can safely use cheaper, but no less effective substitutes with a similar chemical composition. These are the ones that will be discussed further.

Baking soda

Sodium bicarbonate reduces water hardness and cleans internal surfaces of plaque. There are two ways to use this tool:

• Mix a small amount of soda with the powder and pour into the compartment. This method is used to soften hard water during normal washing.
• Place 100 g of soda in the powder compartment, set the temperature to +60...+70°C, run a “idle wash” for 40–50 minutes.

Ready replacement for "Kalgon"

The main disadvantage of Calgon is its high cost. However, a wide range of household chemicals on the market allows you to choose a more inexpensive analogue with similar properties. Below are the TOP 6 alternative products for caring for washing machines.

Antiscale

This is the general name for a group of anti-scale products. They are available in the form of powders and liquids, and are used not for prevention, but to eliminate already accumulated deposits. The composition depends on the manufacturer. The main substances of Antiscale:

• sulfamic acid;
• sodium citrate – citric acid salt;
• ammonium chloride;
• thiocarbamide (thiourea).

Manufacturers supplement the composition with fragrances, dyes and components for the care of parts of automatic washing machines - for example, anti-corrosion additives. The products are available in the form of pastes, powders, tablets, and suspensions.

Anti-scale is used separately from laundry - in large quantities it negatively affects the structure of tissues. The product is poured into the SMA and the washing mode is started at 60 ° C. When the water is heated, a chemical reaction occurs between the acid and the scale - the solid deposits are destroyed and then removed with the flow of water through the drain hose.

Benefits of using Antiscale:

• high efficiency - the result is achieved in 1 application;
• profitability - the product is consumed for a long time;
• safety for the components of the SMA - with the correct dosage, the components of the product do not affect the integrity of the rubber seal and plastic parts.

As a disadvantage, it is necessary to note the possibility of blocking the drain channel with large scale particles. Other possible problems may be associated with violation of the instructions for use.

It is better to buy liquid products. They dissolve faster in cold water, so they act more effectively on limescale.

Alphagon

Producing countries: Russia, Türkiye. The product is available in the form of a fine-grained powder and is sold in cardboard boxes. Package weight – 0.5 or 1 kg. Depending on the volume, the average price is 110-180 rubles. In composition and effect, “Alfagon” is similar to “Calgon” - it neutralizes magnesium and potassium, thereby softening water hardness.

"Alfagon" is used at any temperature conditions together with washing powder - the dosage depends on the hardness of the water. The minimum volume of powder is 1 scoop.

When using Alphagon, you can wash even in the hardest water without adding an additional volume of washing powder.

No scale

Universal powder for automatic washing machines. It is used both for prevention and for effective removal of scale. In the first case, the product is added according to the instructions to the SMS when washing clothes, in the second - it is used without loading laundry.

“No Scale” contains technical soda and a mixture of complexing agents. Advantages of the powder:

• economical use;
• effective removal and prevention of plaque;
• used with all types of laundry;
• low cost (average price is 120 rubles per 500 g package).

Flaws:

• not suitable for colored laundry.

The “No scale” product is intended only for automatic washing machines. Its use is prohibited for kettles, irons and other similar equipment.

Luxus Professional

A highly effective product for eliminating limescale in washing machines from the German brand ORICONT. Produced in powder form. The composition includes citric acid, amidosulfonic acid and excipients.

“Luxus Professional” has gained great popularity and trust from consumers thanks to its high quality, excellent cleaning properties and a number of advantages, the main one of which is safety for human health and the environment.

Mode of application:

1. Remove laundry from the machine.
2. Pour the product into the CMA drum according to the instructions.
3. Start a wash program at 60°C.

Available in packages with various designs. Another brand name for the product is “Kristall-fix”.

Top House

The express cleaner is manufactured in Germany using modern technologies, taking into account the recommendations of world leaders in the production of washing machines. Available in powder and gel form. Benefits of use:

• in 1 application completely removes scale from heating elements;
• extends the service life of the SMA;
• reduces energy consumption and program execution time;
• treats internal parts and rubber seals with care.

"Top House" is suitable for all types of washing machines and is recommended for use 1-4 times a year.

Magic Power

An environmentally friendly product based on citric acid. Manufacturer – Reinex GmbH (Germany). Release forms: powder, liquid. Composition – organic acid, complexing agent.

Use the product without loading laundry. It is poured into the main container and the washing program is turned on at 40 °C. "Magic Power" is ideal for starting up an automatic washing machine for the first time. Special components in the product:

• dissolve factory oils;
• wash away various contaminants from the inner surface of the drum.

Regular use of “Magic Power” ensures that scale residues will not contaminate the laundry during further washes and will not damage the SMA drum.

Hydrogen peroxide

It is necessary to mix 50 ml of hydrogen peroxide with the same amount of boric acid and pour into the rinsing compartment. After this, you need to add the usual amount of powder, load the laundry and start the wash. You can use this method to care for light-colored bedding. The creators of the method are silent about how the solution can affect clothing, bright and delicate fabrics.

Hard water

Before talking about its usefulness or uselessness, as well as the need to use a class of substances with similar properties, it is worth understanding two questions:

• What is “water hardness” (read about the composition of spring water here)?
• What properties does Calgon and similar substances have?

Nature of the phenomenon

In scientific terms, water hardness is certain physical and chemical properties that are associated with the content of metal salts in water, mainly:

• calcium and magnesium.

The following conclusion follows from the definition:

• if there are a lot of salts, then the water is hard,
• if it’s not enough, it’s soft.

These names have historical roots.

When washed with soap containing fatty acid fragments, the fabric became hard to the touch.

What do you know about the Karcher window cleaning device? A technical description of complex household appliances and rules for safe operation are published in a useful article.

What temperature of water should be in the batteries during the heating season is indicated on this page.

When talking about water hardness , two concepts should be distinguished:

• temporary
• and constant rigidity.

Temporary or non-carbonate is water that contains hydrocarbonates.

Constant - due to the presence of sulfates and chlorides.

All these names sound incomprehensible and not scary. But there are differences between types of rigidity, and significant ones.

Hydrocarbonates are destroyed during boiling and precipitate on the walls and heating elements.

Permanent hardness can only be removed using a reagent method..

From the above, we conclude that temporary hardness is dangerous for washing machines, due to which the following occurs:

• dry skin,
• Detergents do not foam well,
• scale forms.

INTERESTING . Fully softened water harms metal products almost more than hard water.

By removing salts, we remove the influence of the acid-base buffer, which does not allow corrosion processes to spread at high speed.

Preventive measures

Limescale deposits often form due to washing with low-quality powders, if a high-temperature cycle is selected and water containing a lot of magnesium and calcium salts is used. Therefore, to prevent this, you should follow some recommendations.

Washing should be done at a temperature of no more than 40-50 degrees. This is quite enough to dissolve and remove existing contaminants. It is better to give preference to high-quality washing powder; you should not skimp on it. It is recommended to install magnetic filter softeners and use only purified water.

Softeners such as Calgon should be used infrequently and added in small doses. The machine should be cleaned periodically with citric acid. If you follow these recommendations, you will be able to get rid of scale in your washing machine. Consequently, the unit will serve for a long time.

How to use washing machine cleaning tablets?

Place 2 dishwasher tablets in the washing machine drum and run the empty washing machine on a wash cycle at 60 degrees. This way you will remove germs, dirt and even scale. And your car will be completely clean again!

Interesting materials:

What types of fish live in the Caspian Sea? What types of sausages? What types of social mobility did P. Sorokin identify? What types of television are there? What vitamins should not be taken at the same time? Which troops celebrate August 2? What issues were discussed at the Crimean Conference? What questions does a neurologist ask before school? What questions to ask for communication? What are the capabilities in the AutoCAD environment?

Existing Calgon substitutes or alternative

Of course, Calgon is not a panacea for protecting your washing machine from plaque, scale and dirt. There are other, cheaper analogues. Perhaps they are less effective, it is possible that they are less advertised, but they exist.

Here are their examples:

1. Alphagon,
2. Antiscale,
3. Lemon acid.

Both the first and second are quite capable of coping with the problems of contamination of the heating element of the washing machine and drum. But the real effect of these alternative remedies has been studied and tested much less than Calgon.

You can also use simple citric acid to clean the drum and heater by pouring it into the liquid compartment.

Naturally, nothing can be washed with citric acid - only clean it in idle mode. But citric acid can easily clean plaque and moderate scale.

Vinegar

With this product you can clean the tank and drum in one use. In addition, vinegar is able to completely remove lime, dissolve unpleasant odors and destroy microbes.

To clean the drum of a washing machine with the addition of vinegar, the following steps are performed: vinegar is poured into the powder compartment, the “wash for 1 hour” cycle is started, then the rinse mode is also turned on.

pros

"Kalgon" helps to achieve not only the removal of scale, but also has a number of advantages over its analogues:

• if you add the powder together with the main detergent, the consumption will be more economical;
• in soft water, the removal of contaminants from fabric fibers is faster and therefore more effective;

• the service life of household appliances increases, there are no unexpected expenses for repairs;
• When washed, products do not lose color saturation, since there is no longer a gray deposit of scale.

The shape of the tablets allows you to use the product in doses (no need to measure anything). It is also easier to store compressed powder; there is no risk of inhaling particles, they will not remain in the air.

Are you unplugging your washing machine?

Oh yes! No

How to replace Calgon

First you need to try to figure out why there is such extensive debate online regarding this composition. After all, if you think about it, it successfully copes with its functions, that is, it softens the water, which means it prevents the appearance of hard limescale and scale on the internal elements of the machine. Where to look for the catch?

In reality, everything is elementary. For many buyers, the too high price of Calgon is not justified. The cost of one kilogram of product exceeds 300 rubles, while this volume is used for no more than a month. Naturally, there is simply no talk of any savings. If you look into the composition of the product, you will find that it contains elements familiar to many: sodium tripolyphosphate and ordinary soda. They are what help soften the liquid.

What is the remedy for?

Water softening is the main function of the product. If you regularly use Calgon for washing machines, the formation of salt deposits is reduced, and equipment breakdowns and the need for repairs in the future are prevented.

However, the softener also performs a number of other tasks. By reducing water hardness:

1. The quality of washing clothes improves, and difficult to remove stains are easier to remove.
2. The consumption of washing powders and other detergents is reduced.
3. White things remain white (due to the normalization of calcium content in water).
4. After washing, things become softer.

The softener eliminates the rotten smell from the machine drum. Its use does not harm tissues or human health.

How does Calgon work?

Calgon breaks down scale with its active substances.

If the layer of plaque in the drum and on the heating element of the washing machine is more than 1 mm, then energy consumption increases to 10% of the norm.

Calgon, which dissolves scale, easily copes with these problems.

Polycarboxylic acids break down existing plaque, and polyethylene glycol prevents the formation of new scale, softening hard chloride water.