Posted on 02/13/2011 1:14:16 PM PST by dickmc
Pittsburgh isn’t even in the Chesapeake watershed. However, like everywhere else apparently phosphates have disappeared from dishwasher detergents. The result is dishes that aren’t particularly clean and feel ‘slimy’.
After some checking, I found that the disappeared phosphate content in dishwasher detergent was around six percent. On a recent visit to the plumbing supply store to get some parts, I found that they still had one pound boxes of the real TSP (trisodium phosphate Na3PO4); not the fake ersatz 'TSP' stuff that Home Depot is only selling. In fact, the real TSP is still available all over the net.
Not being able to find any phosphate containing dishwasher detergent at any grocery store, I decided to make my own. Here’s how:
1. Buy a large 7.5 pound bottle of gel type dishwasher detergent.
2. Dump in a bucket and add one-half of a one pound box of TSP. This will make a 6.25% mix of TSP in the detergent. (Actually the weight percent of Phosphate in TSP (Na3PO4) is 58% making the Phosphate in the mix 6.25 x 0.58 or 3.6% …but… that’s good enough for government work!)
3. Stir with a paint stick. If you want, add a half-cup of water to somewhat reduce the gel viscosity.
4. After about one minute of stirring, the TSP particles will be thoroughly distributed in the gel. (They don’t dissolve but that’s OK as long as they are evenly mixed.)
5. Put back in the bottle ...with the leftover in the empty bottle. (A funnel helps which I had from garage stuff.)
Tried it out yesterday.
.
VIOLA! The dishes are now 'squeaky' clean with no slime film. Also, the dishwasher insides now look clean again.
Enjoy the info.
Violas were made for people who couldn’t find minions to carry their cello.
Basses are best for firewood...they burn even longer.
Anyway...can you get TSP down there? I’d LOVE to have clean dishes again...I’d been confused as all get out for about a month as to why my dishwasher was suddenly not working (I thought I was going to get to claim it was broken to the hubby and get a new one...thanks for ending that sweet dream for me).
With our iron and sulfur problem, the only thing (so far) I’ve found to clean the toilets with is a product called “The Works” toilet bowl cleaner. I try to clean with natural stuff as much as possible, but none of the natural things I’ve found will get the iron stains out of the toilet bowls. - I’ve found that putting a good bit of 3% hydrogen peroxide in some water in my glass coffee pot and letting it set for a couple of hours or so will clean it better than anything. I may have to use a gentle scrubber sponge on it also, but it works better than the stuff I’ve used on it so far. Not a big problem really, but it does get sort of off-putting when it gets really built up. - We’ve lived with this water for almost 25 yrs., so I got used to my white clothes being sort of a cream color after a few washes. Out well is deep, but we can’t escape the sulfur. - I envy you your great water! Be thankful; I know you are!!
Yes indeedy. I am so happy to have clean dishes again!
lol you need to direct that comment to the person who originated the viola cello discussion.
I don’t know where you live but here in the Philly suburbs we can buy The Works for $1 at the local $ store!
Out of curiosity I checked e-Bay. First L’air I checked was $269.98! It was good for a laugh! I’ll keep checking!
There’s something sad in the purposeful destruction of a beautiful fragrance. Sort of like a rose that has been cultivated for its physical beauty but lacks that exquisite fragrance.
Out of curiosity I checked e-Bay. First L’air I checked was $269.98! It was good for a laugh! I’ll keep checking!
There’s something sad in the purposeful destruction of a beautiful fragrance. Sort of like a rose that has been cultivated for its physical beauty but lacks that exquisite fragrance.
Thanks,GC.
Yep,the $269.98 price is a bit of a stretch.
I first became aware of L’Air in the seventies. I was a part time supervisor for a market research firm and one of the employees was a very bright “hippie” grad student. All of her clothes were straight from Good Will stores,peace symbols and ripped,patched jeans completed the picture-——but she always smelled heavenly.
I asked her what her scent was,it was L’Air and that was it for me. When I started wearing it people would query me about the wonderful scent I was wearing.
How sad to see that gone.
Agree!
I know what you mean about that heavenly scent! I discovered it when a co-worker, who was a beautiful, elegant woman, always exquisitely groomed, chestnut hair flawlessly upswept, told me the name of her fragrance. She had her hair done once a week and her hairdresser said she was the only customer who came in looking exactly as she did when she left the week before! Unlike me, I might add!:) A very casual hairdo with a mind of its own. (Sort of like me!!!) :) :) :)
Isn’t it funny our “role models” were the exact opposite!!!
We live in Tennessee, and have lots of $ Stores, Dollar General Mkts., and other discount stores. The “Works” products are cheap here, too. They’re just probably caustic, and I try to go as natural as possible because my allergy and breathing situations aren’t all that great. I mostly just mix half 3% hydrogen peroxide with half distilled water in a spray bottle to clean my counters and surfaces in the bathrooms ‘cause it’s easier on my breathing. The natural spray cleaners run about $2.50 a bottle, and I can mix this hyd. per. mixture up for about 55 cents a bottle. It just isn’t quite strong enough to clean the toilet bowls. (My house is not a candidate for “House Beautiful”, but we get by without having the Health Dept. come out and condemn us.)
We live in Tennessee, and have lots of $ Stores, Dollar General Mkts., and other discount stores. The “Works” products are cheap here, too. They’re just probably caustic, and I try to go as natural as possible because my allergy and breathing situations aren’t all that great. I mostly just mix half 3% hydrogen peroxide with half distilled water in a spray bottle to clean my counters and surfaces in the bathrooms ‘cause it’s easier on my breathing. The natural spray cleaners run about $2.50 a bottle, and I can mix this hyd. per. mixture up for about 55 cents a bottle. It just isn’t quite strong enough to clean the toilet bowls. (My house is not a candidate for “House Beautiful”, but we get by without having the Health Dept. come out and condemn us.)
No matter how long I would run that dishwasher, everything was coming out gray and dirty. I am going to get some TSP.
I bought a 4.5 lb box of TSP and a 10 lb bag of STPP.
I tried using about a teaspoon of TSP in the laundry w/ regular detergent seems about right - have suds again and good stain removal.
The STTP arrived the other day, using about a tablespoon w/ detergent in the dishwasher as I write. Will report results.
Hopefully will not get into any trouble with the numerous regulatory and criminal enforcement agencies. (Be right back, somebody is pounding at the front doo
Thanks for the info. Appreciate it.
Pssst! I recently bought a bunch of Cascade WITH PHOSPHATES from Restockit.com!!
Pass it on...
No problem, I was just glad to find this article. The STTP stuff did the trick in the dishwasher. Everything had this white haze on it, couldn’t figure it out. Thought we needed a new dishwasher.
The first wash with this stuff really cleared up the glasswear. Wonder how many folks are spending money on dishwashers, when the problem is the detergent?
Just wanted to thank you for the info on adding phosphate to the dishwasher. I experimented and am adding 2 teaspoons per wash. Works like a charm.
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