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Washday Mystique (SORTING OUT THE LAUNDRY PRODUCTS) Janet Fraser Clothing and Textile Specialist Walk down a certain aisle in a supermarket and you will see a vast assortment of laundry products. At some time or other you may need to use most of these products. The following information will help you to decide which ones to choose. First. and foremost, a good water supply is necessary for good laundry. When water is hard. discolored. or contains iron or manganese it is not very satisfactory for laundry purposes. Hard water creates a problem wheth- er soap or a synthetic detergent is used. With soap. a sticky curd (soap scum) is formed which collects soil and adheres to clothes and the washing machine. Detergents do not form curds but their cleaning ability is reduced. A water softening system should be installed in the house when water is extremely hard (more than l5 grains per gallon). Packaged water conditioner (cg. Calgon) can be used with hard water. but it is important to follow the manufacturer‘s instructions carefully. When soap is used for laundry it is necessary to use a water softener or conditioner when the hardness of the water is more than 3 grains per gallon. It should be added to both the wash and rinse water. An allâ€"purpose detergent will contain enough water softener to be efficient in hard water up to 15 grains per gallon. The harder the water. the more detergent will be required. For hardness over 15 grains, the water should be softened for use with detergents. The correct detergent is next in importance for good laundering results. The soap or synthetic detergent should be chosen for the particular type of fabric, amount and type of soil. and the type of water. There are many brands available so the consumer should read the instructions on the box. and the labels on the fabricsI in order to choose the most suitable product. In recent years the choice of soap has become quite limited. but there is a wide variety of synthetic detergents. There are basically two types of laundry soap and detergent availablci‘built" and “unbuilt”. “Unbuilt” soaps which are relatively “pure” are intended for use with fine fabrics and lightly soiled articles. "Built" soaps. on the other hand. contain less soap with varying amounts of additives or “builders” to increase the sudsing and cleaning action. and help soften the water. thereby reducing the amount of soap curds. The “built” soaps are best used for the family wash and heavily soiled clothes, Synthetic detergents dissolve easily in either hot or cold water and in soft or hard water. and do not form a curd in hard water. They emulsify grease and oil which is an advantage in getting clothes clean. Some deter- gents form suds while others clean without suds. “Un- built" detergents are neutral in solution so are suitable for delicate fabrics and lightly soiled articles. "Built" detergents contain alkaline salts to give added cleaning power and make them alkaline in solution. 8 They also contain other ingredients to kw them free-flowing. fluorescent brighteners, foam 5: ~Ilizers. stain removers, perfume. and materials wt ‘-. help suspend dirt in the wash water. “Built” deter :19 are recommended for heavy duty. general purp05t c. and the laundering of heavily soiled clothes. Other laundry products may be necessary f | lime to time to treat special problems. or you may “we use some of them routinely. Bleach is probably the most overused and n .Ed at all laundry products. The proper use of blea< .tn be very helpful in laundering but the misuse of it -. |mj to rapid deterioration of household linens and ‘lllng it is extremely important to read and follow uric turer‘s instructions carefully. There are two types of bleachâ€"chlorine an \i-gcn types. Chlorine bleach is a powerful chemiCal. a\ i]: in liquid or powder. It will effectively remove 5 - and graying from white fabrics but must be u mlh caution on colored fabrics, or fabrics with 5pc mm finishes. It must not be used on silk or wool. Oxygen bleaches contain sodium perboratc .l it: safe for all fabrics and colors. These powdered who have a slow, gentle action and used rcgu‘. mil prevent materials becoming dull and gray. but i not restore whiteness or brightness to dingy materia Fabric softeners are like lubricants which the surface of every fibre giving softness to the fat Tho also reduce static electricity, reduce wrinlx ind lessen the tendency for matting and pilling ll} hum of balls of fibres on the fabric surface). Most fabric softeners are in liquid form Are added to the final rinse. Fabric softener sheet.» le available which are intended for use in the d' but they may also be used in the final rinse. Fabrit ‘unct should not be added to the same water mull detergent or water softener. Another type of aid, are the laundry prer im- which can be used to pre»treat stained and ham "it‘ll areas immediately before laundering. These Ll “Pt” Cially useful for removing oily stains from pai HUI“ press finishes and polyester fabrics. These art will available in concentrated liquid spray form. Some types of soil and stains e.g. food and boo i-Hni require presoaking. Enzyme soakers are effct- till this purpose. The enzymes in the product act ti lht‘ stain. not the fabric, to loosen and dissolve it. " rl‘ljlg periods of one to two hours, or overnight are net. d "" best results. No matter what laundry products you chOOSE ‘05“ read and follow the directions on the package. by only the amounts specified, and only on the recommthd fibres and fabrics. Usc products one at a time unlc<5 directed otherwise as certain combinations of liundr) ingredients are incompatible.