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Laundry Products Research
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THIS SITE IS UNDER Still CONSTRUCTION Overview The graphs in the following pages have been developed from the measurement of the various parameters when the recommended dose of liquid laundry detergent was dissolved in the equivalent 75 L for a front loader or 150 L for a top loader, representing the whole washing cycle - that is wash, rinse, deep rinse and spin rinse cycles combined. In the previous sections, laundry powders were ranked according to each parameter and some assessment made to guide the reader into a better understanding of those components of the laundry water that may assist in deciding upon whether to reuse laundry water for landscaping or gardening purposes. Much of the information provided in the other pages will not be repeated here, so you may need to also examine the same parameter under the powder section. As the liquid laundry detergents were mixed at the recommended rate with deionised water (equivalent to very clean rainwater), the measure pH values of some of the detergents was very low. The effect when mixed with town water will vary depending upon several properties of that particular water. Most town water supplies start with a pH between 7 and 8 (as a means of reducing corrosion of the supply lines and pipes), hence there will be a different pH value when used with these. It is not a simple addition factor because pH is not a linear units of measure (explanation beyond the scope of this section). Similarly, the electrical conductivity (EC) of town water supplies may vary between near rainwater quality of very low EC (< 0.1 dS/m) up to elevated EC values (about 0.7 dS/m), and the addition of any detergent to the water will have a higher result than shown in the following graphs. In this case, you can use an addition factor by adding the EC of the town water to the EC shown in the graph. Other chemicals that have been measured in the laundry products are also present in normal town water supplies but mostly absent (except in minor concentrations) in rainwater supplies. For example, in inland areas calcium, magnesium and sodium are present in the water supplies because of the geology of the catchment and the various chemicals that are added to treat the water for human consumption (mostly aesthetic rather than health purposes). In coastal areas where the water is naturally soft (low concentrations of calcium and magnesium), some sodium from oceanic sources may be present, as well as a few chemical additions to improve the aesthetics of the water for human use. Refer back to the Laundry Products Research page for more detailed information Numbering System The number system used for the graphs is as follows: LF 2-EC is therefore Liquid - Front Loader - graph 2 showing electrical conductivity Comparisons In the assessment at the end of each section, there are some comparisons between liquids and powders that may be of interest for those who wish to choose least hazardous products. All products create some environmental hazard, indeed water itself can be a hazard, but the ability to choose among products that are ranked for the sample components must lead to better informed decisions. NOTE: There is no intention to recommend or endorse any product, irrespective of its position on the graph. There are many variables in all laundry detergents, not the least of which is cost and washing quality, that must be considered when you choose a laundry detergent. The information provided here is to assist you in making an informed choice. COPYRIGHT |