Put the Phosphate Back into your Dish detergent

Self | 6/26/2011 | Self

[Blood of Tyrants]

As many of you have discovered, you automatic dish detergent hasn't been working very well for the past year, leaving a white film on the dishes. Well, the reason, as usual, is the envirowhackos using junk science to claim that algae blooms in rivers are caused by the phosphates in your dish detergent. The phosphates in detergent do NOT cause the algae to bloom because the algae can't break down the trisodium phosphates. So, instead of check out the facts, the detergent companies were more interested in currying favor with the envirowhackos.

Well, there isn't much way to get them to change their mind, especially since it is actually cheaper for them to make phosphate free detergent (never mind it doesn't work), but you CAN replace the phosphates in your detergent. Just go to the cleaner section of your local hardware store and look for Trisodium Phosphate. Home Depot and Lowes both carry it. Just add about a teaspoon to every load and you will get your dishes clean again. This is the cheapest method.

You can also buy Cascade with phosphates from places that sell commercial grade cleaners. Restockit.com is one place. I am sure there are others if you search.

[tall_tex]

Ping

[verum ago]

Any idea what’s in the lemi-shine, besides lemon oil? Their MSDS lists the ingredients as ‘proprietary.’ I’m guessing citric or lactic acid, more likely the former.

[Graybeard58]

Beware that the big box hardware stores are now selling "phosphate free" TSP. Read the box carefully!

How can they even call it TSP when there's no "P" in it?

It's tri sodium without the "P".

[fred42]

Borax is also good for termite control.

[Graybeard58]

My front loader takes liquid detergent only. Does TSP come in a liquid form? If not, I suppose I could just put the powder directly on the clothes at the start.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

Someone told me it was good for ants so I tried it yesterday. The trail of ants walking across the driveway kept right on truckin’.

[greeneyes]

Good to know. Thanks.

[Graybeard58]

I've noticed Menards only carries the phos free stuff.

Saved me a trip with that tip. Menard's is where I usually buy those type items.

[ErnBatavia]

For the dishwasher, try and keep it around a quarter tsp....we’ve been doing that for about two months now and our old cheap silverware sparkles like new - unbelievable.

[ChildOfThe60s]

bttt

[TFMcGuire]

“Make certain that it is REAL tri-sodium phosphate, not the phosphorus free substitute.”

Hee Sodium free sodium phosphate (the name Tri-sodium phosphate is commonly used but wrong according to current chemical nomenclature) What a nation of self-deluded mnorons we’ve become.

Na3PO4 without the P is not Sodium phosphate. What a crock for a manufacturer to say there is such an animal.

not insulting the poster agreeing with him.

[Free Vulcan]

Thanks. I bought a box for my mom, I’ll tell her to back off on the amount.

[darth]

Be very careful with the caustic soda (sodium hydroxide).

I work with the stuff. Get a few crystals on your skin and it will blister you if not washed off immediately. Be especially careful to not get it in your eyes!

[Archer24]

Sodium Hydroxide is what is in Drano - definitely dangerous.

[ataDude]

Boric acid is used in some ROACH killers.

[CPT Clay]

Bump, Thanks

[MsLady]

What is STPP????

[MsLady]

I’ll have to try that. Right now I use arm and hammer and add bleach when I do my sheets and towels.

[Chickensoup]

It says it is poisonous. Can it be used in hand dishwashing soap?

[toddly]

This article has it all laid out as to how this all happened.
The usual plot line. Polititians, junk science directly contradicted by waste water management engineers, non profits, and idiotic “journalism”.

http://www.weeklystandard.com/articles/another-triumph-greens_536862.html?page=1

I have found that for dishes the TSP works the very best with liquid cascade. The laundry has also never been cleaner.