Attention, Experts please: advice needed

[bajaespuma]

I just bought a pail of Sodium Tripolyphosphate from the Chemistry Store and there are no instructions on amounts to use. How much of this stuff should/can one use in a typical load of laundry? And can you mix it with all the non-phosphate detergents from the grocery store?

 

Please advise. And why should one consult the Student Democratic Society before use?

 

[launderess]

You don't need much STPP when using modern detergents.

Common suggested dosage is to use just enough until water feels slippery.

In H-axis washers like my Miele or AEG Lavamats use about one to two teaspoons or maybe a tablespoon. Too much of a good thing is bad; in this instance too much STPP can lead to issues with rinsing.

My vintage Calgon tips and hints book (from back when Calgon was largely phosphates) recomends following dosages for soft water:

5 gallons - 1/8th cup

10 gallons - 1/4 cup

15 gallons - 1/3 cup

20 gallons - 1/2 cup

Double, triple and higher for medium, hard and very hard water.

Being as all this may find don't need to use STPP much with top shelf European detergents such as Miele or other stuff in my stash. Even recent offerings from Tide seem to do well enough on their own. Mainly use STPP when using either vintage detergents or soap (like Ivory Snow or vintage Persil).

Remember to experiment in that when using STPP one can use a bit less detergent.

 

[joeekaitis]

In the dishwasher . . .

 

A rounded teaspoon in the main wash chamber with your favorite pod, tab, pac or powder.  And use the high-temp wash option if available.

 

Enzymes + STPP = Clean Dishes Nirvana.

 

But NEVER, EVER spike your car wash bucket with the stuff.  Most storm drains go straight into lakes and the ocean.

 

[DADoES]

 
Determine the dosage by filling your washer with water for a load, with no detergent yet added.  Add STPP a teaspoon or tablespoon at a time, or whatever measure you wish to reference, until the water feels slippery between the fingers.  Allow sufficient agitation or tumbling time for it to dissolve between additions.  Check each different fill level for the needed dosage, or extrapolate/estimate the varying dosage accordingly to the difference in volume of water.  Frontloaders are easier being that the water volume doesn't vary so much.

STPP can be added immediately with the detergent and other wash additivies once you've determined the typical dosage ... although of course don't combine STPP with liquid detergent in a dispenser, put the STPP directly into the drum.

I vaguely recall that vintage detergents were at most 1/3 STPP by weight?

I have put a bit of STPP into my carwash bucket.  The runoff is to my front yard, akin to the septic discharge from laundry and dishwashing spraying onto my back yard.  I usually wash the car once or twice per year ...

 

[bajaespuma]

Ancient Chinese Secret, Huh?

Thanks to all of you for the information.

 

[combo52]

How much STPP to use

In addition to the above, good advice, the other question is how hard is the water you’re starting with much of the north east has very soft water and you may not need to use any of this at all or very little.

If you have hard water P amount will increase quite a bit.

Yes you should also consider where your waste water goes. Excessive STPP and water that runs into lakes and streams is not a good thing. When I wash some thing like the car outside, I always throw the bucket of soapy water on some plants never let it run down the driveway to the street.

John.

 

[stan]

I wonder about

the use of STPP with well and septic tank ?
Will the phosphates cause problems in the septic tank?

 

[DADoES]

 
No adverse effect on my nearly 20yo aerobic septic after 14-1/2 years of using STPP on every washer load, and 11-1/2 years of phosphated Cascade Institutional/Boil-Out in the dishwasher or adding a bit of STPP in instances of using an enzyme product.  The installation company does an inspection every 4 months (per county requirements).  The service guy knocked at my door after one of the inspections last year to tell me that my system is amazingly clean.

 

[combo52]

The effect of phosphates on a home septic system

Should actually make it work much better plus your grass and trees will be greener on your property.

The only negative would be if your system was failing in allowing water to reach into streams in bodies of water nearby that may not be good for those things.

John.