The Magic of Phosphates

Many of us are aware of the superb cleaning ability of laundry phosphates, especially in vintage laundry detergents. These are usually in the form of what is called a "complex phosphate", the most common of which is STPP (for Sodium Tri Poly Phosphate).

But there appears also to be some misunderstanding of what phosphates are used for in laundry. Many think they are just for water softening. This is one of their best uses, however, the vary characteristics that make phosphates such good water softeners also make them superb cleaners. Just as they grab hard water minerals from hard water and hold it in suspension, so it can't deactivate detergents and can't deposit as a precipitate or sludge onto the laundry, they also grab mineral-rich soil from fabrics and hold it in suspension so it can be rinsed away.

What prompted this message was what might be considered a completely unrelated subject - the discovery of DNA. Please let me explain.

Integral to DNA are phosphorus atoms - the very same atoms that form the essence of laundry phosphates. Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for all living things. It is the energy storehouse of living matter - in the form of ATP, it allows chemical energy from food to be turned into mechanical energy, such as any number of human activities that involve muscles. It's involved in the photosynthetic process of turning light into food. There are few biological processes that can exist without the involvement of phosphorus.

The remarkable ability of phosphorus to combine with other molecules to store or release energy illuminates its power as a laundry detergent ingredient. In the multiple-phosphate form Adenosine Tri Phosphate, ATP is packed with chemical energy for our bodies' cells. Similarly, sodium tri-polyphosphate is pakced with energy for our laundry machines - chemical energy which grabs onto dirt and removes it from fabrics - the basic goal of any laundry process.

One can think of laundry phosphates as high energy ingredients that give extra power to your washer. They are the original nano technology answer to dirty laundry.


Forum Topics & Rules Manuals & Literature	New users Click-here to sign-up

Post# 115295 3/14/2006 at 22:41 (6,611 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)
Checkrate/Likes Many of us are aware of the superb cleaning ability of laundry phosphates, especially in vintage laundry detergents. These are usually in the form of what is called a "complex phosphate", the most common of which is STPP (for Sodium Tri Poly Phosphate). But there appears also to be some misunderstanding of what phosphates are used for in laundry. Many think they are just for water softening. This is one of their best uses, however, the vary characteristics that make phosphates such good water softeners also make them superb cleaners. Just as they grab hard water minerals from hard water and hold it in suspension, so it can't deactivate detergents and can't deposit as a precipitate or sludge onto the laundry, they also grab mineral-rich soil from fabrics and hold it in suspension so it can be rinsed away. What prompted this message was what might be considered a completely unrelated subject - the discovery of DNA. Please let me explain. Integral to DNA are phosphorus atoms - the very same atoms that form the essence of laundry phosphates. Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for all living things. It is the energy storehouse of living matter - in the form of ATP, it allows chemical energy from food to be turned into mechanical energy, such as any number of human activities that involve muscles. It's involved in the photosynthetic process of turning light into food. There are few biological processes that can exist without the involvement of phosphorus. The remarkable ability of phosphorus to combine with other molecules to store or release energy illuminates its power as a laundry detergent ingredient. In the multiple-phosphate form Adenosine Tri Phosphate, ATP is packed with chemical energy for our bodies' cells. Similarly, sodium tri-polyphosphate is pakced with energy for our laundry machines - chemical energy which grabs onto dirt and removes it from fabrics - the basic goal of any laundry process. One can think of laundry phosphates as high energy ingredients that give extra power to your washer. They are the original nano technology answer to dirty laundry.

Post# 115517 , Reply# 1 3/16/2006 at 06:30 (6,609 days old) by harvestgold (Deland, Florida )
Checkrate/Likes *Detergents with phosphates* Wow thanks for the Scientific info on Phosphates, living in southern calif. where hard water is a fact of life i really noticed the difference using mexican detergents with phosphates there is a lot more suds in the wash and the clothes come out much cleaner i am hooked on these great detergents

Post# 115531 , Reply# 2 3/16/2006 at 07:13 (6,609 days old) by toggleswitch (New York City, NY)
Checkrate/Likes WOW I love applied science! Thanks for the insight and enlightenment!

Post# 115622 , Reply# 3 3/16/2006 at 16:14 (6,609 days old) by bobbyderegis (Boston)
Checkrate/Likes Suds, now I have to dig out and review my biophysics books the next time I wash my dirty duds! LOL, Bobby in Boston

Post# 115783 , Reply# 4 3/16/2006 at 23:43 (6,609 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)
Checkrate/Likes Hey guys, thanks for reading and commenting! I had really feared this had fallen into some sort of vintage black hole. My next project: the phosphate powered automobile! (just kidding, but I suppose it's possible!)