Tide HE + STPP mixing ratio - 4:1 ?

[drhardee]

I purchased the 80 load box (7 lbs) of Tide HE (regular formula), and using the included green plastic measure, I mixed 4 (reasonably level) scoops of Tide to 1 scoop of TSPP in another container. Of course, I won't be using the green Tide scoop for measuring a laundry load of mixture. I use a much smaller Sears powder scoop for daily use. For water of average hardness, maybe mildly on the soft side, and for a Miele FL washer, is this ratio too tilted in favor of STPP or Tide? I'm no chemist. Thanks!

 

[appnut]

Dave, I don't think there's such a thing as too much STPP in most instances.  Tide is an excellent detergent and boosted with STPP, should be outstanding.  You're just going to have to experiment is best answer.  All of our water conditions are unique and the formulatoin needs to reflect that too.

 

[launderess]

Too Much Phosphates

Well yes, there is such a thing as excess of phosphates in laundry especially when packaged water softeners are being added to "premade" detergent. The latter already has builders and such formulated into the product and normally that should suffice. If water conditions and or soil levels warrant more detergent can be added to compensate.

As for the ratio of STPP to detergent; IIRC Sudsmaster or was it Sudsman has often stated (it can be looked up in the archives) that 33% in volume to the contents of the package of powder is what they use.

From my own research found between 3-5 grams per wash load to be another number that commercial laundries used, this of course was back when phosphates and such were a routine part of washing with either soap or detergent.

Adding too much phosphates in addition to being wasteful and doing very little good, can actually make the wash water too soft which causes all sorts of problems. Ideally you only want enough STPP to make the water feel "slippery".

Much as many of us love experimenting with STPP we have to remember again we are dealing with products that have already been formulated to deliver ideal results under most conditions. Once one starts adding a bit of this or that it can throw off the total chemistry balance the product needs to perform.

 

[tomturbomatic]

I don't premix. I use a scant 2 tbs of each for most loads in my FLs and have very good results with cleaning and clear rinsing.

 

[stan]

Think

I agree with Laundress on this one!
If your water is "average, on the soft side" I'd be careful of how much STPP you use, (with Tide) for all the reasons she's given!

 

[launderess]

If It Is Of Any Use To You

From my vintage box of "Lemon Freshened Borax" Fab detergent:

Phosphours Content:

"The FAB formual averages 8.0% phosphorus, in the form of phosphates, which is equivalent to 6.4 grams per one cup use level".

You can do the sums for modern usage with the above as a guide. There is also a post of mine elsewhere in this forum giving a link to vintage laundry detergents and other cleaning products showing phosphate content.

Keep in mind the above formula of FAB took into account all the benefits STPP brings as a builder to laundry detergent powder. It takes several chemicals to replace what phosphates do on their own and Tide along with every other laundry powder has been designed with that in mind. That is why one says it is important not to go very crazy with adding STPP and to adjust detergent dosage to compensate.

 

[vintagekitchen]

Here in Hard Water Kentucky..

Personally, I have had no issues with needing anything added to the Tide Ultra HE since I finally broke down and bought some yesterday. I have done laundry all day today, (breaking the winter stuff out of storage, and the heavy quilts. Gotta get rid of the mothball smell), and everything comes out nice and clean and soft. I tried it on some truly dirty stuff too, and same thing.

Of course this is combined with the Maytag Neptune I just got, and I use Bounce dryer sheets, so your mileage may vary.

 

[launderess]

Actually, Usually Find The Same

Aside from when playing with various soaps from my vintage stash find modern offerings especially Persil, Le Croix, Tide, Ariel, etc... do well enough on their own without STPP.

Then again am working through a stash of vintage detergents (Gain, then All, etc...) that still contain phosphates so that's me for you.