amyswasher
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What is the best way to buy TSPP online? Will it work in the dishwasher and washing machine?
TSPP
- Thread starter amyswasher
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Help Support :
People have had good luck buying from The Chemistry Store. Just google it.
Yes, it will work in the washer and the dishwasher, although standard dishwasher detergents, unless labeled "phosphate free", usually contain enough. Just to be sure, check the phosphorus level on the box.
Yes, it will work in the washer and the dishwasher, although standard dishwasher detergents, unless labeled "phosphate free", usually contain enough. Just to be sure, check the phosphorus level on the box.
STPP (Sodium TriPolyPhosphate) is the correct compound. I get it from TheChemistryStore.com. 12 lbs lasted a smidgeon longer than one year (Nov 2008 to Nov 2009) using it only for laundry, and that includes giving some samples to several friends. The previous 12 lb offering is now reduced to 11 lbs. Since my choice of dishwasher detergent (Wal-Mart's GreatValue) is now phosphate free, I bought two 11 lb containers last month.
I wonder what will happen to Consumer Review's evaluation of the Great Value DW detergent now that it's phosphate free...?
In my case, I bought a few 50 lb sacks of STPP about 10 years ago. From a local chemical warehouse. I calculated that it should last the rest of my life, providing I keep it cool and dry. Well, I have the dry part handled. Not so sure about the cool (it can get into the 90's a few weeks every summer here).
In my case, I bought a few 50 lb sacks of STPP about 10 years ago. From a local chemical warehouse. I calculated that it should last the rest of my life, providing I keep it cool and dry. Well, I have the dry part handled. Not so sure about the cool (it can get into the 90's a few weeks every summer here).
amyswasher
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Thanks for the information. I just ordered some. Thanks for correct name and the link to it. My water is so hard that I can put dish soap in the dishwasher and no suds.
amyswasher
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I saw a POD someone putting Calgon in the fs dispenser along with downy for the last rinse. Is the old Calgon the same as STPP? The new Calgon is a joke for the hard water that I have. (I think it was a Norge washer) Any advise?
STPP
In hard water areas cannot be beat. I have used it in the prewash the main wash the bleach bath and final rinse to help soften work even more. A little goes a very long way. 1/4 oz is plenty for most machines. I only use 1 oz on the l50 lb machines here when I do have to use it. In the prewash it will help break up stains esp. blood and in the wash softens water so that only a small amount of detegent is needed . In the bleach bath it will help the bleach work better and quicker.I also like it in the 1s rinse on very heavy soil work. I am not sure what the NEW Calgon is have not used any of it in years far to costly for us. Amway smashing white is the same as STPP at a lot higher cost.
In hard water areas cannot be beat. I have used it in the prewash the main wash the bleach bath and final rinse to help soften work even more. A little goes a very long way. 1/4 oz is plenty for most machines. I only use 1 oz on the l50 lb machines here when I do have to use it. In the prewash it will help break up stains esp. blood and in the wash softens water so that only a small amount of detegent is needed . In the bleach bath it will help the bleach work better and quicker.I also like it in the 1s rinse on very heavy soil work. I am not sure what the NEW Calgon is have not used any of it in years far to costly for us. Amway smashing white is the same as STPP at a lot higher cost.
It can also be purchased
at most any commerical laundry supply . There are in almost all larger citys. most will ship also this is who I use and have for years they have offices in a number of citys.
at most any commerical laundry supply . There are in almost all larger citys. most will ship also this is who I use and have for years they have offices in a number of citys.
amyswasher
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Thanks sudsman, I would have used way too much and at the wronge times. I have relative all over the metroplex. I hope to get back soon.
@sudsman: what does "1/4 ounce" translate to in volume (ie: tablespoons/cups)? We were using some as an additive to our homemade powdered soap, and would throw an extra tablespoon or two of it into the final rinse if things seemed to be holding the soap residue...weren't sure if that was too much or too little! Recently ran out, and we can certainly tell the difference without it. thx!
STPP
Is a VERY light product and 1/2 or 1 oz by weight (what i use) will be much more than you need. I would start with 1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon and work from there. How hard the water is will play a part too. here in FtWorth we have AWFUL water.in the summer not uncommon to range in 22 to 25 grain range. We are also "blessed " with iron and all types of other things that hamper good washing. If you use it at more than one place in the wash cycle then the other places you add it will only need 1/2 as much as the first time you added.IE: I use 1 oz by weight in the Break bath. then each time I add 1/2 oz to the wash, bleach and last rinse cycles. if the load is a heavy surgery load I will use 1 oz on the break and 1 oz on the wash it pulls the soil right out. keep in mind too that a 150 lb machine does not wash in that much more water than a standard top loader. But the amount needed for saturation is greater.
Is a VERY light product and 1/2 or 1 oz by weight (what i use) will be much more than you need. I would start with 1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon and work from there. How hard the water is will play a part too. here in FtWorth we have AWFUL water.in the summer not uncommon to range in 22 to 25 grain range. We are also "blessed " with iron and all types of other things that hamper good washing. If you use it at more than one place in the wash cycle then the other places you add it will only need 1/2 as much as the first time you added.IE: I use 1 oz by weight in the Break bath. then each time I add 1/2 oz to the wash, bleach and last rinse cycles. if the load is a heavy surgery load I will use 1 oz on the break and 1 oz on the wash it pulls the soil right out. keep in mind too that a 150 lb machine does not wash in that much more water than a standard top loader. But the amount needed for saturation is greater.
The water here is relatively soft (2 to 5 grains), but I find that STPP is necessary to get very soiled laundry cleaned. It's particularly good with the clay soil that gets on my gardening clothes, as well as machine grease on my work clothes. But because the water is relatively soft, I only use it in conjunction with the launddry detergent - not with the rinse. I also usually don't use it when I'm using a mild liquid for certain reasons - such as bath towels where they aren't that dirty but final fabric softness is important (I've found the STPP in the rinse will cause some harshness in the fabric).
Calgon
Vintage Calgon powder in the silver box, and some later versions sold until several years ago was a mix of STPP and sodiumhexophosphate (sp?). This gave great water softening and detergent boosting properties.
When one uses pure soap for washing laundry, and or has very hard water, STPP or some other type of water softener was recommended for the first rinse to help remove soap (and detergent) residue. My vintage boxes of Calgon (silver), give directions for both adding to wash and rinse cycles.
Vintage Calgon powder in the silver box, and some later versions sold until several years ago was a mix of STPP and sodiumhexophosphate (sp?). This gave great water softening and detergent boosting properties.
When one uses pure soap for washing laundry, and or has very hard water, STPP or some other type of water softener was recommended for the first rinse to help remove soap (and detergent) residue. My vintage boxes of Calgon (silver), give directions for both adding to wash and rinse cycles.
amyswasher
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@sudsman will the STPP help with the pH. I get a yearly report on the treated water in the town I live in. It states that the treated water pH is 7.9 and the hardness is 365 ppm. Nobody drinks the water here. I know that soda ash raises the pH. How do you figure out the (grains) of hardness in water?
A pH of 7.9 is withing normal range, I think. It is only slightly basic/alkaline. You don't want water that is acidic, as it will rapidly eat plumbing and water heaters. So 7.9 better than, say, 6.1 (7.0 is neutral).
In any case, STPP would tend to raise the pH above 7.9 anyway. Most detergents need some alkalinity to function well. Alkalinity helps to clean greasy soils - it literally turns the grease into a form of soap.
A soda taste to the water isn't so much the alkalinity - that would taste bitter - but rather high sodium content.
I'll let someone else figure the ppm to grains. It's been a while since i looked it up.
In any case, STPP would tend to raise the pH above 7.9 anyway. Most detergents need some alkalinity to function well. Alkalinity helps to clean greasy soils - it literally turns the grease into a form of soap.
A soda taste to the water isn't so much the alkalinity - that would taste bitter - but rather high sodium content.
I'll let someone else figure the ppm to grains. It's been a while since i looked it up.
1:3
I recall someone here suggested a 1:3 ratio. 1 part STPP to 3 parts detergent. That's how I've been using it for laundry, which in the Calypso is usually a 1 oz scoop (volume, not weight) to 3 or 4 scoops of detergent. Accordingly less for small loads (which I don't often have very small loads). Also premixed 1:3 now with the dishwasher powder. Is that substantial overkill? My water was 11 grains when tested by a softener salesman several years ago (I don't have a softener).
I recall someone here suggested a 1:3 ratio. 1 part STPP to 3 parts detergent. That's how I've been using it for laundry, which in the Calypso is usually a 1 oz scoop (volume, not weight) to 3 or 4 scoops of detergent. Accordingly less for small loads (which I don't often have very small loads). Also premixed 1:3 now with the dishwasher powder. Is that substantial overkill? My water was 11 grains when tested by a softener salesman several years ago (I don't have a softener).
A typical detergent recipe would be 1/3 STPP by weight. Try taking a cup of your favorite detergent powder and comparing its weight of STPP. They should be close enough to substitute volume for weight, although I don't recall having done this measurement myself. I just use a shipping scale to measure out Sears Ultra Plus and STPP in a 2 parts detergent to 1 part STPP by weight when I mix up a big lot.
There are test kits for water hardenss
The one I have mixes two chemicals in about 1 oz of water then a dropper of one of the chemicals is dropped one dro at a time into the mixture when the mixture turns blue that tells the hardness if it takes 10 drops the hardness is 10 grains.. ect/ these test kits are also on line. and culligan sells them/ not too costly.. 7 0 is where the water should be. but almost no where is the water perfect anymore..
Sudsmaster if the towels are harsh after using STPP you used too much. in only takes a very little in very soft water I would not use in the last rinse at all.
The one I have mixes two chemicals in about 1 oz of water then a dropper of one of the chemicals is dropped one dro at a time into the mixture when the mixture turns blue that tells the hardness if it takes 10 drops the hardness is 10 grains.. ect/ these test kits are also on line. and culligan sells them/ not too costly.. 7 0 is where the water should be. but almost no where is the water perfect anymore..
Sudsmaster if the towels are harsh after using STPP you used too much. in only takes a very little in very soft water I would not use in the last rinse at all.
