To date nonone chemical can replace phosphates, you probably will need a "chemical cocktail" of sorts to achive the water softening, pH buffering, soil suspension and other properties which make phosphates so great in cleaning products.
Other words in your shell like ear:
Borates are being phased out of European detergents as the EU is set ban/set limits on their usage. Apparently borates (including sodium perborate) have some effects on water in lakes, streams etc (sound familiar?).
Great thing about using phosphates is so much is done by the one chemical, only a few others like washer protection agents, fabric whiteners, etc are required. Again a look at vintage detergents shows many were about 50% phosphates.
Best of British luck on your project.
Launderess
Other words in your shell like ear:
Borates are being phased out of European detergents as the EU is set ban/set limits on their usage. Apparently borates (including sodium perborate) have some effects on water in lakes, streams etc (sound familiar?).
Great thing about using phosphates is so much is done by the one chemical, only a few others like washer protection agents, fabric whiteners, etc are required. Again a look at vintage detergents shows many were about 50% phosphates.
Best of British luck on your project.
Launderess
