Today, in household chemical stores and the corresponding departments of supermarkets, there are so many diverse products that it was impossible to even dream of before. However, such an abundance can play a cruel joke with the buyer, because in reality it turns out that it is not easy to determine which means is really necessary. In this article we will try to figure out if Calgon is needed for washing machines. You can also find customer and professional reviews here.
Just note that the many positive comments that you may have already met more than once are not always proof of the quality of the product, because they can simply be fabricated.
Advertising company
Each of us at least once heard of such a “savior” of washing machines as “Kalgon”. Even those who have nothing to do with washing and the household as a whole remember the sensational commercial. Indeed, Calgon, whose reviews are highly controversial, is an extremely hyped product. For many years they have been using this product every time they wash, simply believing in compelling ads. Everyone knows the problem of scale, and “Kalgon”, according to the manufacturer, is able to permanently rid us of these inconveniences and extend the life of the washing machine.
Needless to say, in just a few years, company sales have increased more than 20 times? So, do you need to believe the advertising of Calgon? Reviews indicate that a clear answer to this question is not easy. Opinions on this subject are very different, and one contradicts the other.
Range
On the modern market, products for every taste and color are presented. Everyone can choose the most convenient option for themselves. In stores you can find:
- "Calgon" in tablets;
- "Calgon" is a powder;
- liquid "Calgon".
Reviews of the latter are most positive. At least, consumers claim that in this form the tool is the least dangerous for some parts of the machine.
Benefits of Calgon
Among the main advantages of this product, the manufacturer names:
- protection against scale;
- ensuring cleanliness inside the machine;
- prevention of odor;
- longer service life of the washing machine ;
- saving money for washing, as well as electricity;
- difference in forms: tablets, powder, Calgon gel.
Reviews about each of the species, although slightly different, but in general they say that you can safely do without this product.
How to use?
The manufacturer claims that the product can be applied to any type of laundry: white, color, etc. Calgon is combined with any powder and liquid washing gels. It is recommended to use it every time. The product must be poured into the main compartment of the dispenser after you have already put the powder there. It is best to use 2-in-1 Calgon. Reviews of some customers say that it not only prevents the formation of scale, but also neutralizes salts in the water.
Is it scary?
At the sight of a spiral covered with a huge layer of limescale from the Calgon advertisement, one involuntarily raises concern for one's own typewriter. Following him, there is a desire to prevent the formation of plaque and acquire a miracle cure. In fact, it turns out that a scale layer of this thickness in the washing machine simply cannot form. That insignificant amount of it, which, one way or another, appears during the washing process, can be easily removed with ordinary powder.
It turns out that the problem is not so terrible as the manufacturer of the Calgon product draws it. The reviews of experts demonstrate that this product is not as necessary as it seems at first glance.
The main causes of breakdowns
Despite the fact that advertising means means the main reason for the failure of the machine is called scale, experts dealing with the repair note that this is not so. According to them, most often the device ceases to function correctly due to:
- wear of parts and elements;
- blockages (small metal parts, such as paper clips, buttons, pebbles, slip through the drum);
- breakdown of the heater (this is already connected with scale).
As we see, the malfunction of the heating device due to accumulation of scale on its surface is only the third most frequent cause of breakdowns, which diverges from the opinion of the manufacturer of Calgon. Customer reviews indicate that plaque forms even with constant use of the product. Therefore, we can safely talk about his helplessness in the fight against this problem. Experts also note that the use of the product not only does not affect the washing machine positively, but, on the contrary, has a negative effect on it. Rubber parts become unusable due to some of the components that make up Calgon.
Calgon 2 in 1: reviews
Most people who constantly use the product in the hope of keeping their washing machine safe and sound are ultimately disappointed. Everything happens like this: the car breaks down, a specialist arrives, and it turns out that some parts have become unusable due to scale. There is no limit to the surprise of the owners, because they used Calgon! Note that plaque on the elements of the machine appears in those cases if you often wash at high temperatures. It turns out that even Kalgon 2v1 cannot cope with this problem.
Reviews indicate that the tool is simply a waste of money. Those who often faced the problem of the appearance of scale, advised not to throw finances down the drain, buying various means like the supposedly saving Kalgon. In their opinion, you should pay attention to the hardness of the water and the most commonly used washing mode.
Of course, there is another side to the coin. Some people using the tool are quite happy with the effect. Customers whose cars do not break for a long time, rejoice and praise the properties of the product. However, in most cases, this is not due to Calgon at all, but to the fact that the owner uses the device correctly, takes care of it, correctly selects the washing regimes, or just the water in his apartment is less hard than some. That’s the whole secret!
A variety of tests conducted by scientists demonstrate the inefficiency of the product. Reviews of specialists compare its use with the addition of sugar to honey, that is, with the case it is completely useless. It turns out that the positive feedback from consumers is nothing more than their blind faith in the effectiveness of Kalgon.
Prices
On average, a pack of Kalgon can be purchased in the price range from 150 to 200 rubles per 500 grams. This amount of funds with constant use will be enough for a month. Thus, in a year you will spend about 2000 rubles. At first glance, not so much, but if you think about the real effect of the product, it turns out that the amount is impressive. If you consider that replacing a heating element will cost you less, on average - no more than 1300 rubles. Note that without any cleaning and prophylaxis, the heater serves for 3 to 5 years. It turns out that it is easier to change the heating device once every three years than to spend money on the useless Kalgon.
However, if you still want to somehow protect your machine from scale, you can do it yourself at home. To do this, just mix sodium tripolyphosphate and soda.
conclusions
Summing up, we can conclude that Kalgon products are not so necessary. Feedback from consumers and professionals in the field of repair and production of washing machines indicates that the product not only does not cope with the task, but also has a negative effect on the quality of some important rubber parts of the machine. In any case, only you can make the final choice. It’s up to you to decide who to believe - according to manufacturers interested in increasing sales and providing all kinds of certificates supposedly guaranteeing quality, or, possibly, to comments of real people who have used the tool for a long time and can objectively judge its properties and tell about costs that have not paid off .
In any case, with or without Calgon, you must take care of your washing machine and use it correctly. Before starting to wash, check if there are any small parts in the pockets of clothes that could slip through the drum and damage the “inside” of the device. Pay attention to the hardness of the water, if the level is much higher than the norm, you may need to take appropriate measures. And of course, it’s important to choose the right washing mode. It is not at all necessary that things spin in boiling water, average temperature indicators are enough for everything to be cleaned qualitatively.