FULL WASH CYCLE
2008 Test Program
Independently, Lanfax Labs will run its own test program in August 2008,
purchasing both liquid and powder detergents in local supermarkets, and sourcing
some boutique detergents where possible. These products will be analysed
for front loaders, and top loaders. Where a product is suitable for
both front and top loader, the product will be tested for each at the
appropriate recommended dose. Results will be available by the end of
September 2008 in the same format as has been used in the following pages.
At that time, all the previous 2005 material will be removed and the website
will be formed into an informative section (describing the effects of the
various chemicals) and a results section (reporting only the results in
graphical format).
This research is uniquely Lanfax Labs' work - funded totally from within Lanfax Labs. In no way was any other organisation involved with this research.
See also sections on "greywater" and "washing machines"
The basis of this research by Lanfax Laboratories was to determine the pH, salinity and the contribution of sodium and phosphorus from laundry detergents in the total wash water, that is, in the total volume of water from the wash cycle, the spin, the deep rinse, the spin rinse and the final spin dry cycle. While there are many advocates for greywater reuse, particularly from laundry water, the potential impact upon soil and vegetation must be assessed prior to discharge of laundry water to the garden. Whether the greywater is discharged on the surface or by subsurface irrigation has a great bearing on the "usefulness" of the greywater because of the ability to visually assess the behaviour of the soil to the greywater.
This project differs from the "wash only" cycle (see PART A) because the assessment is made on the water quality for the total load of the wash, therefore, one would expect concentrations of sodium, phosphorus and sulphur to be lower and salinity hazard reduced.
Assumption 1
From previous research, the average volumes of water used to calculate loading
rates for this research were taken as 75 L for front loading and 150 L
for top loading automatic washing machines. While individual brands and models
of washing machines may fall outside these average values, it was not possible
to test for all combinations. Refer to the graph on
Laundry Introduction page
Assumption 2
It was assumed that the recommendations of
each of the manufacturers of the individual laundry products were made on the
basis that the loading rate for a normal wash would produce an acceptable wash
in typical potable water. There are two considerations that must accompany
this assumption. Firstly, that the homeowner will use the recommended dose,
although some may use less or others may use more detergent than the recommended
dose. The second consideration is that water quality varies from location
to location. Where rainwater is used, less detergent may be used because
of the very low levels of calcium and magnesium (contribute to water hardness).
More detergent may need to be used to overcome calcium and magnesium in hard
water (inland surface water and many groundwaters).
All detergents used in this research were mixed with deionised water, equivalent to very clean rainwater (electrical conductivity <5 uS/cm).
Purchasing of detergents
Most of the laundry detergents were
purchased in the supermarkets of Armidale (Northern NSW) between the end of 2004
and the middle of 2005. Some boutique products were donated by
various boutique sources. Because of the enormous range of laundry products, there
will be some products that will not be listed in the analysis. There are
numerous products available in the discount stores, at rural stores where some
products are only sold in packets of more than 5 kg, while the boutique range
can be found in specialty stores and home-industry and so called "green"
resellers. There is no intention of this research to examine the whole
range, and if a product is not listed, then Lanfax Laboratories
has no additional information.
While every effort was made to keep up-to-date with the products tested, some products may have changed their packaging, and/or formulation from those products tested. Other than barcodes, there are few indications whether a particular package is the latest product. This research was conducted on products available at the time and no changes to the graphs will be made after initial publication.
Washing performance
This research has not tested the quality of
the wash from each of the products on the numerous washing machines, as such
research is outside the capacity of Lanfax Laboratories to perform. The
assumption is that the manufacturers' recommendations will result in a 'clean'
wash.
Interpretation
This research is entirely independent of any other organisation. While the
data may be shared with others and used for educational purposes, there is no
intention to recommend one product over another. While conclusions may be
drawn from the presentation of the data, one's choice of product has to be made
on individual grounds such as type of washing machine, quality of clean water
inputs, type of materials and how dirty they may be and the quality of the wash
by different products.
It is reasonable to draw conclusions from the presentation of the data and assess the potential impact upon soils and/or vegetation, however, there are many other considerations the consumer will need to address that are beyond the scope of this research to examine.
SUMMARY
Of particular interest to the disposal of domestic wastewater, either as separated greywater from laundry and/or bathroom, or from on-site sewage treatment and land application, the need to understand the implications of using detergents high in sodium is essential. To this end the various data have been graphically presented in a series of 24 graphs under the various headings - pH, EC, sodium, phosphorus, sodium & phosphorus and sulphur. However, many readers will want to see a graphical presentation similar to that which Lanfax Labs has made available in the past. This research has gone beyond the 1999 data sheet.
The latest research has measured the various components at two rates - front loader (75 L) and top loader (150 L) for the full cycle as explained previously. In the two graphs below (Figure F1 and Figure T1), the liquids and powders have been combined under the two rates. If you use a front loader, you will be able to choose the product to suit your needs - a liquid or a powder. Similarly, for the majority of households that have top loaders (83% of Sydney households), the liquids have been ranked with the powders.
Figure F1. Combined liquid and powder detergents, ranked by sodium (g/wash) with phosphorus concentration (mg/L) for front loading washing machines (75 L)
Figure F1. Combined liquid and powder detergents, ranked by sodium (g/wash) with phosphorus concentration (mg/L) for top loading washing machines (150 L)
RECOMMENDATIONS:
PLEASE
DO NOT ask Lanfax Laboratories for
a recommendation. We do not make any recommendations except as a
consultancy project for which we charge commercial consulting fees and would
expect to examine the whole water cycle for a business or dwelling.
This research was funded entirely by Lanfax Laboratories. No industry funds were sought and no government grants were used for any part of this research and this research does not endorse any product.
At this point you need to
follow either the POWDER or the LIQUID detergents
depending upon the type of detergent you may be using.