Screw the environment; I want clean clothes!

[veg-o-matic]

While our clothes have always been clean, they've never been "whiter than white, brighter than bright" that the old commercials used to promise.
So I broke down and bought a pail of TSPP. It hasn't arrived yet, but I'm seeking guidance from the experts about how much to use for a load.
The specifics: Average water, neither hard nor soft. I have a Frigidaire front loader. We generally use liquid detergent and a very little fabric softener.
What would be a reasonable dose for a load of wash? Couple tablespoons? Half a cup? Can one use TSPP with liquid detergent? Anything I should be aware of?
Thanks for your help!

veg

 

[sudsman]

Start with a teaspoon

that will be more than enought I Only use 1 oz for a 150 lb load. after a few uses you will hit on the right amount it will NOT take much.. A little goes a VERY long way.. use it with the bleach too.

 

[bernina]

knowledge is power

My understanding is that STPP works by inactivating the minerals in hard water, so that your detergent doesn't have to.

Finding out how hard you water is should be pretty easy, your city water department is supposed to publish a yearly water report that would include that info. Look for it on their website.

It'll help us in advising you how much STPP to add.

 

[toggleswitch2]

Powdered Sears detergent [or any powder, actually] will WAY outperform ANY domestically-manufactured liquid detergent.

IMHO STPP will fade darks. I only use it for whites and near-whites / "pastels". I use half a cooffee scoop for whites and T-shrits and tighty-whities that were yellow enough to be thrown out now sparkle!

 

[jeffg]

A teaspoon (or two for very dirty whites) is about right.

Add it while the machine is filling, and let it agitate a minute or two without clothes or detergent. This will allow the STPP to soften the water. Stop the washer, then add your detergent and clothes.

Water temp and cycle time are also important when using STPP. Use the hottest water your load can take, and for ground-in dirt (e.g. socks), give it at least 18-20 minutes of wash time. Right around this point, even the toughest dirt will simply dissolve.

Lastly, an extra deep rinse is usually a good idea.

 

[appnut]

Bob, yourself, Sudsman and myself all have the same washer (if it's the 3.1 cu. ft. original Frigidaire). I"m going to be getting some so I can have phosphates in my dishwasher soap. I completely agree with Toggles, powder outperforms liquids wayy better!!!. When I've useed liquids, I put that in the dispenser first and it ends up "running out" on through. I then put in the oxyclean or any other power and turn on the machine.

 

[toggleswitch2]

I have the same machine too guys!

A good extra rinse can't hurt. My chest breaks out badly from whites (T-shirts) that are not well rinsed. I use the "Short" cycle for three extra rinses.

BTW my bleach dispenser no longer functions. :-(
I used to use it for (cheap,watery, gallon-jug, supermarket-brand) softener in the FIRST rinse when bleach was not being used.

 

[jetcone]

Steve

I lOVE THAT DIRTY/CLEAN badge!! Target????

 

[toggleswitch2]

TAR-J'AI? ("Target" porounounced in French) Clutch the pearls, HEAVENS!

Provincetown, MA
True Value hardware store.

Reminds me of my auntie's Whirpool DW of the mid 60's that had literally a rotaty telephone dial control!

Thanks for the shout-out!

 

[toggleswitch2]

The one on Commercial Street. FAX-EM maybe the'll pick & pack and send!

I'm 95% sure it was not bought from the fancy kitchenware place also on Commercial Street.