STTP in Washer

[sudsmaster]

Where to get STPP?

Well, a decade or more ago, I found a chemical warehouse that agreed to sell me about 20-50 lbs of STPP (It came in a bag). I've since kept it in air-tight plastic bins, because over time it can degrade if exposed to moisture. So far, so good. Since I generally use only about a tablespoon, it probably will outlast me. LOL.

And STPP stands for Sodium Tri Poly Phosphate. The Poly part is the key - it enables the STPP to soften water and to bind to hard water minerals as well as mineral based soils to magnify the cleaning effects of laundry detergent. STPP was phased out of most consumer grade laundry detergents due to concerns over phosphate effects on water pollution (algae love phosphate). However, along the California coast, this really isn't a problem, since most water treatment/sewage plants empty their finished water into the ocean, which is usually full of phosphate anyway, and where algae is a good thing, not into a fresh water river or lake, where algae is not welcome. Want more info? Just ask.

 

[drhardee]

Where to purchase STPP??

The Chemistry Store, located just outside of my home town of Columbia SC, sells STTP. They are easy to work with, and their prices are quite reasonable.

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www.chemistrystore.com

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www.chemistrystore.com

 

[littlegreeny]

Is STPP supposed to clump?

I purchased some a while ago from Amazon and it clumps pretty badly when water is added. Is that normal?

 

[launderess]

No, it shouldn't

Have STPP stored in gallon Ziploc bags and Rubbermaid containers that is not clumped in containers, nor when placed in water. There might be the odd clump per container, but nothing huge.

There are some complaints on Amazon that versions of STPP sold are of a more larger grain variety. That could be why you're having issues with clumping, as others have reported same.

https://www.amazon.com/Sodium-Tripo...show_all_btm?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=all_reviews

STPP in my stash is a fine powder, again never had any issues with clumping

 

[littlegreeny]

Thanks Launderess!

I have it stored in a Rubbermaid container as well and it's fine in the container but once added to the washer it turns into a hard clump. I must have been sold an inferior or perhaps imitation product? Maybe it's actually TSP?

I'm getting a new Miele in 13 days so perhaps it's better to just throw what I have out. I don't want to risk ruining my new machine.[this post was last edited: 11/21/2021-13:08]

 

[littlegreeny]

Perhaps it's just user error?

I took a small glass of hot water and poured in about 1/4 tsp of the STPP and it dissolved immediately. There was no clumping or sediment in the bottom of the glass and the water felt slippery too.

 

[henene4]

Some powders do that if you add them to water to quickly.
Adding them slowly or spreading them out thin onto the load before the machine starts to fill might work to.

 

[eurekastar]

Clumping

I think that may have something to do with the quality of the product or how it's stored.  I had that happen with some STPP that I bought off Ebay that came in large plastic bags.  However, I've never had that happen with STPP that I've purchased from Amazon, which comes in plastic tub.