Calgon

Good news for anyone on a tight budget or who hates catchy advertising jingles: washing machines don't necessarily live longer with Calgon.

'Washing machines live just as long without Calgon' – Which? 2011

Ilex, which sells Calgon and other bath and beauty products, plans to move St. Joseph's production to another plant and expects shipments to retailers to start sometime this spring, according to a spokeswoman for the company, which is owned by Ilex Capital Group LLC, a private investment firm.

J Jonathan D. Rockoff 2011

While Calgon ads show the effect of washing at 60C, the most common washing temperature is 40C, and this was the temperature used to test Calgon's efficacy.

'Washing machines live just as long without Calgon' – Which? 2011

The manufacturers of Calgon, which has a retail recommended price of £8.27 for 15 tablets, says it contains polycarboxylates to soften hard water, preventing limescale from forming, thereby stopping the impairment of the washing machine's performance and reducing the risk of it breaking down.

'Washing machines live just as long without Calgon' – Which? 2011

Although Which? found that using Calgon did reduce the build-up of limescale in the machine, the small layer that built up when not being used was insufficient to affect the running of the machine or suggest future failure.

'Washing machines live just as long without Calgon' – Which? 2011

Which? said: Using Calgon in every wash, the average person would spend £295 over the course of six to eight years – the time our expert believes it would take before a normal machine in an area with particularly hard water would require attention as a result of limescale build-up.

'Washing machines live just as long without Calgon' – Which? 2011

You could spend £300 and an eight-year wait before Calgon becomes cost-effective.

'Washing machines live just as long without Calgon' – Which? 2011

Which? also believes that images used in Calgon's advertising do not accurately reflect 'normal' wash conditions.

'Washing machines live just as long without Calgon' – Which? 2011

Calgon told Which? it had research to back up its claims but couldn't share that evidence due to commercial sensitivity.

'Washing machines live just as long without Calgon' – Which? 2011

But consumer organisation Which? simulated three years' worth of washing, and found no evidence that using Calgon in the washes extended the life of the washing machine in 'normal' washing conditions.

'Washing machines live just as long without Calgon' – Which? 2011