Filter Cleaning Chemical

[BigDfromTN]

Hello all,

I have read on here of a common chemical available from hardware stores that does a good job of cleaning the paper filters. I cant find anything on it right now. If you could let me know what it is, I would appreciate it.

TIA,

Don

[Dr. Spa]

TSP

tri sodium phosphate

[BigDfromTN]

TSP

tri sodium phosphate

Thats it... Thanks!!!

[waterbear]

TSP

tri sodium phosphate

Thats it... Thanks!!!

Be aware that in many areas TSP is no longer available and a non phosphate TSP substitute is sold. You want real TSP (trisodium phosphate. If it is not available in your area you can substitute Automatic Dishwasher powder like Cascade or Finish or a generic equivalent. They will work better than a TSP substitiute, which is usually just sodium carbonate (washing soda), sodium metasilicate, or sodium sesquacarbonate ( a mix of washing soda and baking soda).

[quantumchromodynamics]

TSP will probably be easier to find at a specialty place like a janitorial supplier, building supply, paint, marine etc. You could contact the manufacturer and ask them if they have any distributors in your area.

Here is an example of the real TSP

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=3808

http://www.savogran.com/Information/TSP_MS.pdf

http://www.savogran.com/Information/msds_index.htm

TSP Cleaner numbers 10621, 10622, 10623, 11625 contain the real TSP

TSP-PF Cleaner numbers 10611, 10612, 10613, 11615 contain sodium sesquicarbonate and sodium metasilicate.

[waterbear]

TSP will probably be easier to find at a specialty place like a janitorial supplier, building supply, paint, marine etc. You could contact the manufacturer and ask them if they have any distributors in your area.

Here is an example of the real TSP

http://www.jamestown...uct.do?pid=3808

http://www.savogran....tion/TSP_MS.pdf

http://www.savogran..../msds_index.htm

TSP Cleaner numbers 10621, 10622, 10623, 11625 contain the real TSP

TSP-PF Cleaner numbers 10611, 10612, 10613, 11615 contain sodium sesquicarbonate and sodium metasilicate.

In areas that have a ban on phosphates (such as Florida) you probably will not be able to find real TSP

[quantumchromodynamics]

It is my understanding that the ban is primarily related to consumer products such as laundry and dishwasher detergent. I do not think that there is any type of general ban on phosphates. There are plenty of places online that sell trisodium phosphate. None of them say that there are any restrictions on shipping to any state.

https://www.hardwareworld.com/45-Tsp-All-Pur-Cleaner-pTVE1PI.aspx

http://www.chemistrystore.com/search.cgi?keywords=trisodium+phosphate

Chemistry Store, The

520 Northeast Twenty-Sixth Court, Pompano Beach, FL 33064-5428

Sumner Do it Best Hardware

3406 S Nova Road

Port Orange, FL 32129

1-386-761-2204

http://doitbest.com/Floor+waxes+and+cleaners-Savogran+Company-model-10622-doitbest-sku-790574.dib

PoolGear Plus

14480 62nd Street N

Clearwater, FL. 33760

http://www.poolgear.com/product/savogran-trisodium-phosphate

[BigDfromTN]

Im sure its on the label but.....

What is the suggested method of use of this product?

Mixing rate? (Im wondering about the 1# or the 4.5# box)

If soaking, how long is reccommended?

Or do you just spray it on and rinse?

My tub has one large filter. I have two of them so as to be able to just replace it then clean the other and let it dry.

Thanks,

Don

[waterbear]

Im sure its on the label but.....

What is the suggested method of use of this product?

Mixing rate? (Im wondering about the 1# or the 4.5# box)

If soaking, how long is reccommended?

Or do you just spray it on and rinse?

My tub has one large filter. I have two of them so as to be able to just replace it then clean the other and let it dry.

Thanks,

Don

i cup per 5 gallons water for either TSP or diswasher powder. You need enough to completely submerge the filter. Let it soak overnight and then hose it off well.

[BigDfromTN]

Im sure its on the label but.....

What is the suggested method of use of this product?

Mixing rate? (Im wondering about the 1# or the 4.5# box)

If soaking, how long is reccommended?

Or do you just spray it on and rinse?

My tub has one large filter. I have two of them so as to be able to just replace it then clean the other and let it dry.

Thanks,

Don

i cup per 5 gallons water for either TSP or diswasher powder. You need enough to completely submerge the filter. Let it soak overnight and then hose it off well.

Perfect answer waterbear.

I will find a container that it will submerge in (possibly a Cooler as suggested on another thread) and do just that.

Thanks to all for the replies and help!

[waterbear]

It is my understanding that the ban is primarily related to consumer products such as laundry and dishwasher detergent.

That is correct. The EPA banned phosphates in laundry detergent in the 70's and many states have just done a voluntary ban on it's use in dishwasher detergent. However, here in Florida (and this applies to both northern and southern Florida) it is next to impossible to find real TSP, even in a hardware store. It is generally only available to certain industries where the substitutes do not work well (such as plasterers who refinish pools and painters) and is generally only available in very large quantities.

The ironic thing is that a large majority of the world's phosphates are mined right here in Florida! Beside being algae food, the impact of phosphates on coastal reef systems has been documented for many years now (and I actually participated in some of the physical chemistry research at the U of Miami School of Marine and Atmospheric Science back in the 70's). Phosphates actually interfere with the formation of coral reefs and have a negative impact on other aquatic life forms by causing the type of calcium that precipitates from seawater to favor the less stable aragonite instead of calcite, which is the main form of calcium carbonate in coral reefs and the shells of many sea organisms.