Dosing problems

[huginandmunin]

OK, so I’ve been a convert to Ariel Bio for a while. However, since moving back to the Hampshire/Surrey border and its hard water, I just can’t get the dosage right. The box recommends 195ml powder for a normal soil wash in hard water. If I put even half of that in, then the wash finishes with a load of suds and scum all round the seal and on the clothes. I haven’t checked the actual hardness of the water with the water company, but I’m sure it is hard round here.

I never use the quick wash or reduced rinse cycles on my Zanussi ZWF1421, and it’s not overloaded either, so what’s going on? Is it just a case of Ariel wanting to shift more powder – they wouldn’t be so cynical, would they?!

Any advice most welcome…

[kwatt]

If you pop down to the local fishing shop (there will be one as loads of people apparently do this at the weekend, or whenever) you should be able to pick up a strip to test the water. It’s not absolutely accurate, but accurate enough.

If you really have hassle let me know and I’ll see what we can do.

K.

[huginandmunin]

Re: Dosing problems

Thanks kwatt.

My water supplier says it’s 19-21 (I’m assuming it’s degrees Clark?) and the local water softener fitter says the water’s hard, over 300ppm.

[kwatt]

Re: Dosing problems

Yep, it’s 19Ëš-21Ëš Clarke. And, yes, that’s pretty hard water.

You do need the additional powder so that there are enough builders in it to combat the calcium in the water otherwise you will get reduced cleaning.

What I don’t understand is the residues and scum unless there’s either a problem with the machine (unlikely but possible) or with the water itself. Is there any chance you can get a photo of it and I’ll see if I can suss what the problem is?

K.

[huginandmunin]

Re: Dosing problems

Not sure what was going on before but everything is ok now – perhaps I caused my own problems by reducing the amount of powder I was using. I’m sticking to the recommended dose now and all seems fine.

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