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Put the Phosphate Back into your Dish detergent
Self | 6/26/2011 | Self

Posted on 06/26/2011 12:13:10 PM PDT by 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.


TOPICS: Food; Science; Society; Weird Stuff
KEYWORDS: dishdetergent; junkscuence; phosphates; trisodiumphosphate; tsp
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To: Free Vulcan

“tablespoon & 1/2 per clothes load”

...about how much per dishwasher load?


21 posted on 06/26/2011 12:38:25 PM PDT by Mrs.Z
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To: DaxtonBrown

interesting tip,

My typos just drive me insane


22 posted on 06/26/2011 12:39:39 PM PDT by DaxtonBrown (HARRY: Money Mob & Influence (See my Expose on Reid on amazon.com written by me!))
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To: Free Vulcan
You can buy trisodium phosphate from Lowes as well for about $10 a 4 lb box.

In our local Lowes the fake TSP is in an orange or yellow box, on the eye-level shelf. The real TSP is in the red box, and up on the highest shelf, where you have to get a clerk to go up the ladder to get it. I bought all 4 boxes they had on the shelf.

I also buy my dishwasher detergent at a janitorial supply. "Professionals" are exempt from the no-phosphate policy. Full phosphate Cascade is readily available at janitorial and/or restaurant supply stores.

23 posted on 06/26/2011 12:40:57 PM PDT by RightField (one of the obstreperous citizens insisting on incorrect thinking - C. Krauthamer)
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To: svcw

Better known as lye, worse known as sodium hydroxide; it’s been used from old time to do laundry. I suppose there are things to be careful of, and it may eventually corrode the fibers of clothing, but very sure it works.


24 posted on 06/26/2011 12:41:51 PM PDT by Moose Burger
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To: Elendur
Good point. Note that Savogran makes the phosphate free stuff too. I've noticed Menards only carries the phos free stuff. The box is green so they're easily distingushable. Here's a pic:


25 posted on 06/26/2011 12:45:05 PM PDT by Free Vulcan (Vote Republican! You can vote Democrat when you're dead.)
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To: Mrs.Z
I've been advocating this for some time. Often send friends and family members home with as small baggie full to test.

1/4 teaspoon of TSP added to neutered Cascade works wonders in my dishwasher.

Not only cleans the dishes but cleans the dishwasher! One of the first things friends and family noticed while helping to clean up after a dinner party. "How do you keep your dishwasher so clean?"

Just a dash of the magic powder....

26 posted on 06/26/2011 12:45:45 PM PDT by sjmjax (Politicans are like bananas - they start out green, turn yellow, then rot.)
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To: Mrs.Z

Teaspoon for normal, half that if they’re not terribly dirty.


27 posted on 06/26/2011 12:46:47 PM PDT by Free Vulcan (Vote Republican! You can vote Democrat when you're dead.)
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To: Blood of Tyrants

Thanks! I was wondering what was wrong with my dishwasher! :(


28 posted on 06/26/2011 12:48:26 PM PDT by EmilyGeiger
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To: Blood of Tyrants

Thanks.


29 posted on 06/26/2011 12:48:59 PM PDT by AEMILIUS PAULUS (It is a shame that when these people give a riot)
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To: Blood of Tyrants

Thanks for the info....stay safe !


30 posted on 06/26/2011 12:51:04 PM PDT by Squantos (Be polite. Be professional. But have a plan to kill everyone you meet)
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To: Moose Burger

Oh, lye, makes sense that is what was use in the olden days to make soap. My neighbor swears by some stuff she calls “blueing”. I am going to try some of the suggestions here.
Thats for the info.


31 posted on 06/26/2011 12:51:16 PM PDT by svcw (Non forgiveness is like holding a hot coal thinking the other person will be blistered)
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To: Blood of Tyrants

There are folks on ebay selling phosphate-laden dishwasher detergent.


32 posted on 06/26/2011 12:51:16 PM PDT by freespirited (Stupid people are ruining America. --Herman Cain)
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To: Blood of Tyrants

We deliberately bought detergent without phosphates because they created a white crust in the old dishwasher.

We use the packets in the new one, don’t know how much phosphate is in them.


33 posted on 06/26/2011 12:54:52 PM PDT by dynoman (Objectivity is the essence of intelligence. - Marylin vos Savant)
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To: Blood of Tyrants

Can I just mix in the TP in the Detergent box?.....How much?


34 posted on 06/26/2011 12:55:59 PM PDT by Dallas59 (President Robert Gibbs 2009-2011)
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To: Blood of Tyrants

Bttt


35 posted on 06/26/2011 12:59:08 PM PDT by aberaussie
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To: Free Vulcan

Is Borax the same thing?


36 posted on 06/26/2011 1:01:32 PM PDT by parisa
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To: OldMissileer

You know, I was wondering what the deal was. I could have sworn in years past I never had a problem with clothes not smelling clean, regardless of fabric softener.
I have to think they don’t care too much that the laundry detergent doesn’t work too well. They make a lot of money selling pre-treaters and stain removers and other additives.


37 posted on 06/26/2011 1:02:04 PM PDT by visualops (Proud Air Force Mom)
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To: parisa

No, it’s a boron compound I think. Definitely not phosphate though.


38 posted on 06/26/2011 1:03:55 PM PDT by Free Vulcan (Vote Republican! You can vote Democrat when you're dead.)
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To: svcw
Caustic soda, NaOH, is also known as lye and chemically is known as sodium hydroxide. Lye, in various forms and preparations, has been used for centuries as a cleaning agent. Think "Beverly Hillbillies" and Granny's lye soap, for a whimsical instance.

However, given the composition of some modern fabrics (polyesters, for example), check with your local dry cleaner BEFORE attempting to use lye in a washer. Might want to check with the washer manufacturer, too, to learn the correct amount to use per load.

39 posted on 06/26/2011 1:05:49 PM PDT by SAJ (Zerobama -- a phony and a prick, therefore a dildo)
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To: Blood of Tyrants
I hear that NIOSH has banned the new Diesel engines for underground work and confined spaces. Nice work EPA/s/s
40 posted on 06/26/2011 1:06:53 PM PDT by mountainlion (The time to be on guard against tyranny is before it has gotten you Thomas Jefferson)
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