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Heaven’s Best operators may get their water from a rural well but most, I’m sure, use city water. With either used, the water is not softened unless you have a water softener installed in your home or business. If I remember correctly, soft water will increase the effectiveness of detergents, decreasing the amount needed. I am not suggesting using a lesser concentration of cleaning solution, but rather wondering if soft water may increase it’s effectiveness? Any chemists’ out there willing to answer?
I have a customer that lives out in the sticks and draws water from a well. The water is very soft naturally…very,very soft. I always draw from her sink to fill my solution tank and am AMAZED at the results when I clean her carpet. However, I have used water from taps that are softened with a chemical softener and am no more impressed with the results than using city tap water.
Brian,
Very, very astute grasshopper…
From day one, we have been using filtered water, through a carbon filter, and always soft water as we have a softener. BTW, I have a double major in biology and chemistry from IUPUI…for those from Indiana.
This is a good one for Cody to ponder… Every single cell in my skull says you are on to something. I have cut back to 1 cup since the last time someone suggested it and have seen no negative difference at all in cleaning.
Recently, I tried heating some chemical as well, and used in a terrible area at the Merry Maids office I clean and it did make a big difference… also worth noting.
So…what are some of the other thoughts on the subject(s).
We have been so accustomed to using such a small amount of detergent in our washer over the years, it never occurred to me.
Thanks so much for the thought Brian…great thinking.
Try some heated juice sometime as well.
Hope this helps a little.
Dave
P.S.-never saw naturally soft water…but I always get lots of suds if I add my chemical too soon…I always top off with it.
Dave:
I had a suspicion you would like this topic.
“The biggest room in the world, is the room for improvement”
Soft water will clean better, but never done a side by side comparison to see how dramatic difference is. Truckmounts can add water softeners to their setups (just an fyi).
Dave Dilts, did you heat the 101 concentrate, or the mixed jug of 101?
I think the tempurature needs to be 120 f for the cleaning power to be increased. and then for every 10+ after that the power is doubled. There is actually a name for this law but I can’t recall it.
Here’s an article from July or Aug of ’05 Cleanfax magazine that touches on this subject.
Do hotter chemicals clean better?
It’s been debated many times: Does each additional 18 degrees Fahrenheit above 118 degrees (F) double cleaning ability?
Many cleaners state with strong opinion that hotter chemicals clean better. Cleaning solutions are more active when hot. That’s the key.
Each 18 degree increase in temperature above 118 may not double cleaning ability , but it does increase chemical activity in solution.
When cleaning virtually any surface – from carpets to dishes to automobiles and more – adding heat to the cleaning solution makes the cleaning agent more active. What that does to soils… your experience tells you the answer to that.
It’s important to use the appropriate amount of heat when cleaning carpets and furniture — but only to the point the weaves, fibers and dyes permit.
There are normally three phases in cleaning to consider when increasing the temperature of your cleaning solution:
Preconditioning: Using a hotter preconditioning agent means the chemical gets to work faster and does a larger part of the cleaning job even before you begin cleaning.
Rinsing: Adding heat to your rinsing solution increases soil removal, and helps the rinse agent do its share of the cleaning.
Spot removal: Spots are soils; adding heat to your spotting solutions makes them work faster and better. Follow manufacturer directions or contact the formulator if in doubt. Many spot and stain removers work best with added heat, typically with a steamer or clothes iron.
Other benefits to using heat include increased productivity and faster drying.How hot can I go?
You must consider not only the colorfastness of the fabric, but also how delicate it is. Some fibers and weaves weaken with heat, and a combination of heat and agitation may cause damage. Velvet weaves and flocked materials are prime examples.
Many natural fibers need to be cleaned with a lower temperature.
Cut pile fabrics are more sensitive to higher temperatures. If the simple movement of your cleaning tool leaves jet marks, heated water can increase the marks and be difficult to remove.
Jeff Cross
Senior Editor
CM/Cleanfax magazine
And to get back on topic some, here is an article on water softeners and affects on cleaning and product usage.
There is another article is the clean fax magazine in this months edition and it said the softener the water the better it cleans. Don’t remember more that just that is does do better I would like to know if the rumor about quick boost being a water softener is true. does anyone know for sure?
Okay, If soft water cleans better, does it leave more of a residue? Example, While traveling through out the many great states I go to, I have noticed, in some ares it (soft water) takes much longer (more rinsing) to remove the shampoo from the sides & back of my head. (Top optional) ha!
So, does using soft water require using straight water as the last spray over to insure there is no attracting residues left in the carpet?
Gordon,
Soft water gives that “not rinsed” feeling but it actually rinses better. The softness of the water is the slippery feeling. After washing and rinsing your hands in hard water, lick the back of your hand. You will taste soap. Do the same with soft water and you will taste nothing.
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