STTP in Washer

[azchrisf]

Hello members,

I'm new here and wanted to ask a question. I have a new Maytag top load washer with the "auto-adjust" water levels and live in Phoenix, where our water is extremely hard. Recently I tried phosphates in my dishwasher and was amazed I found what we used 12 years ago before we had to start using citric acid (Lemishine) to get the dishes clear.

I bought a tub of TSSP and was wondering what the correct dose would be? I was thinking 3 tsbp, and I've heard of everything from 2 to 1/4 of a cup.

Many thanks!

 

[eurekastar]

I would start with your suggested amount, then let the washer agitate for a bit.  After you feel it is thoroughly mixed in, then feel the water.  If it feels slick, you probably have enough or too much.  Then adjust accordingly.  Does your washer primarily use a spray rinse?  If so, you may not want to use too much, since too much STPP will make rinsing more difficult.

 

[lakewebsterkid]

STPP

I use 3T in our deep fill TL. It works well in our hard water.
In our FL, I always used either 1-2T depending on load size. Our water there was moderately hard.

 

[quincyman]

What is stpp?

 

[appnut]

Sodium Tri Poly Phosphate

 

[azchrisf]

OK Thanks guys and gals!

 

[azchrisf]

So, I did the recommended method and found the following. It was not until 4tbsp (about equal to 1/4 cup) did the water start feeling "smooth". Once the detergent was added (Gain), it felt very slippery.

Have I found the correct proportion, or doing something wrong?

Thanks!

 

[eurekastar]

Have I found the correct proportion

It sounds like you got it! 

 

[azchrisf]

Awesome. Thank you!

 

[mark_wpduet]

Hmmm

I never thought about using it in the washing machine. A long time ago, back when the dishwasher detergents formulations started to go non-phosphate and the detergent companies couldn't get their new formulations right for quite a while.....and people were using STPP OR buying institutional cascade. A few months ago, I was cleaning out my cupboards and found a 1/2 used container of STPP I bought from Soapgoods.com. I thought, "hmm, let me use this up" even though I didn't think I really needed it. Well, I can totally tell using it vs not using it. Not the dishes being more clean, but the dishwasher itself looking more clean, the racks sliding easier, etc.

 

[DADoES]

STPP-ified Laundry

 
You've missed some discussions.  I've been adding STPP to both laundry and dishwasher (except not for Cascade Boil Out) for 10 years.

 

[sudsmaster]

I've been a big proponent of STPP here for as long, if not longer, as Glenn (Dadoes).

The water here is relatively soft, so I don't use much - a tablespoon - and then only for heavily soiled stuff like clothing.

The big advantage of STPP is that not only does it soften water, but it also does not form a precipitate with hard water minerals. TSP (or its evil twin, sodium carbonate) will form a precipitate, and should not be used in the washer. It's OK for rinsing down walls before painting, though.

The reason why STPP doesn't precipitate is because it forms a complex with water. However, if it has a weak side, it's that it will gradually decompose if left in solution for a while. So it should not be mixed with water in advance, but rather added in powder form at the start of the wash cycle. Preferably before the detergent.

 

[mark_wpduet]

OK so

why would adding STPP making rinsing more difficult?

 

[pinkpower4]

STPP and Dishwasher and Washer?

Around the time my old dishwasher went out and may have been why I thought it wasn't working is when STPP was removed from the dishwashing detergent. I never could figure out why my new dishwasher just wouldn't clean. It has an arm at each level and a rotating arm with a spinner at the bottom. I took a leap of faith and bought a six-pack of the Cascade Boil Out. Cascade Boil Out made the difference, and I have been happy with it since. However, the control board is going out, so I will have to replace soon.

Before the pandemic, I was also using the heavy duty detergent with phosphates. My washer and clothes seem to be getting clean with Tide with Bleach. For the clothes with odor, it seems like Tide 10x and OxiClean odor blasters works better (but it's only better not gone). I wonder if STPP would be useful in getting odor out? I don't use fabric softener or sheets.

This board has been a valuable resource

 

[azchrisf]

PinkPower,

Have you tried baking soda, and I know Lysol makes a "Laundry Sanitizer". Is there bacteria or something in the clothes, or is is a body odor? I know just from browsing the board a lot of smart people on here may have good ideas for odor removal.

And yes, that's where I found out about Phosphates and is what I use in my Dishwasher, is Cascade Fryer Boil Out. If I need extra heavy duty cleaning, I add an extra Tablespoon to the Main wash dispenser. I know some of the older formulations were 12% or more Phosphates, I think Calgonite was one. I saw an original Cascade box that said 6.5% Phosphates, so Fryer Boil Out has slightly more.

 

[pinkpower4]

@azchrisf

I use Lysol laundry sanitizer, and it (or vinegar) works well in the rinse cycle. I don't always catch the rinse portion of the cycle, and it takes an additional 15 minutes a load to let them soak.

I haven't tried baking soda, but I will keep that in mind. I was hoping to find something that would work in the wash portion of the cycle. They are my son's workout and work clothes so body odor. He is a college student so brings his clothes when he can, but I need to run them through using the shortest, effective cycle as possible.

Thanks!

 

[DADoES]

 
Borax in the wash has long been used as a freshener for cloth diapers and sweaty items.  I've been adding it recently to some loads.

 

[launderess]

"why would adding STPP making rinsing more difficult?"

Softened water by any means, mechanical or substance, generally means using less soap , detergent, cleanser, etc...

Pure soaps will soften water as part of their nature, and of course detergent formulas contain builders to deal with water hardness. When water is softened by various means amount of detergent or soap should be reduced. Otherwise excess product will mean more rinsing work.

 

[henene4]

The mechanism that makes you use more detergent in harder water also means softer water rinses worse.

The ions that make water "hard" interact with the surfactants and bind them up, basically.

So, during rinsing, hard water not only dilutes the detergent out but also binds some of the surfactants by quasi-chemical means.
Soft water can't do that.