Incrustations forming on heating elements of washing machines in different washing conditions: Fid-Bau Portal

Incrustations forming on heating elements of washing machines in different washing conditions

Rea, T. / Boscolo, A.

The aim of this study is to assess the factors affecting the incrustation forming on the heating elements of washing machines after repeated washes, and consequently the results of performance test of antilimescale additives for washing machines. The test consists of the quantification of the incrustations formed on the heating elements after 50 washes with water artificially hardened at 43 deg F. The variables took into consideration are the characteristics of detergents (powder or liquid), the washing cycle and the water temperature. To perform the test five different protocols have been carried out, consisting of: 50 'Cotton programme' wash cycles (60 deg C) with a powder detergent 50 'Delicate programme' wash cycles (40 deg C) with a powder detergent, 50 'Cotton programme' wash cycles (60 deg C) with a liquid detergent 50 'Delicate programme' wash cycles (40 deg C) with a liquid detergent a mixed protocol, for total 50 washes, consisting of a repeated combination of the 2 kinds of detergents and wash cycles. Every protocol has been carried out with and without adding an antilimescale additive. Furthermore has been carried out an extra cycle to obtain a blank sample, consisting of 50 'Cotton programme' wash cycles (60 deg C) with artificially hardened water (43 deg F), with neither detergents nor additive. At the end of the test the presence of incrustations on the heating elements has been evaluated. Performing the test in these conditions it results evident that the characteristics of detergents are essential to determine final results.