Any Benefit To Mixing STPP, Borax, and Washing Soda

[daddyshishkabob]

The water at my house is pretty hard. I read about STPP, borax, and washing soda all helping to soften water and make detergent work better. Would there be any benefit to making a concoction of them all or would the chemical properties of each negatively interact with each other? Thanks.

 

[jamiel]

Probably are duplicative...STPP will soften water, borax will somewhat soften water and bleach/oxidize weakly, and washing soda will soften water, make things more alkaline, and make things harsher due to the precipitation of the calcium. Probably leave out the washing soda and you'll be happier.

 

[launderess]

You can ditch washing soda

STPP will perform every function you need on wash day except bleaching; for that you need either chlorine or oxygen based substances.

Borax is ok if you want freshening power, odor removal and to deal (in a minor way) with germs and fungi in wash. Though here again an oxygen bleach such as sodium percarbonate would be a better choice.