skip to main content

questions about adding stpp to detergent in fl...

17 years ago

Hi,

I have very little experience with my FL (Maytag Epic), as I just got it about a month ago. I was intent upon buying a Maytag washer as my 8 year old Maytag dryer has functioned very well, but after reading so many bad reviews about a lot of the large capacity FL machines (including Maytag), I was completely confused and didnÂt know what to buy. But I finally decided that since I set out to buy a Maytag washer, thatÂs what I would do and just take my chances. So far, it has been working flawlessly and is extremely quiet, no sign of mold (I do wipe the gasket dry after every use and leave the door open between loads), cleans very well, and there is barely any vibration, even in the highest spin (but I do have it installed without a pedestal on my concrete basement floor).

I have found this forum very helpful and I have read about adding STPP to my powdered laundry detergent. So I ordered it from the Chemistry Store and I expect delivery today. I have been using Tide HE powder and I was wondering if adding the STPP will make it suds more if I continue to use the same amount of detergent I have been using. Also, I am not completely sure how much STPP I should use. For instance, if I use Â¼ cup of detergent, how much STPP should I add? If I would like to use the STPP with some of my liquid detergent, can I add it to the drum before adding the clothes?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

fordtech
17 years ago
I have a Maytag Neptune MAH7500 and I use 2.5 tablespoons of Persil detergent to 1.5 tablespoons of STPP. This is a total of 1/4 cup. It does great. Now that is for a typical load of everyday wear items. For my greasy work uniforms (I am an auto technician) I use double that.

Try that and see how it does with your Tide since you have had acceptable results with 1/4 cup detergent.
msgenie516
Original Author
17 years ago
Hi Fordtech,

Thanks for the help! I use about Â¼ cup of Tide HE for small loads of my own clothes, which arenÂt very dirty to begin with. For my husbandÂs work clothes (he works outdoors installing commercial fencing) or a large load of whites, I have been using up to Â¾ cup. But I will adjust the STPP accordingly.

I am very familiar with greasy work clothes, as we ran a gas station back in the 1970Âs and his clothes were a nightmare to get clean. I usually washed them at least twice. Wish I had this washer with the onboard heater and the STPP back then!

I just put in a large load of whites (I saved them up all week waiting for this delivery) and I am anxious to see the results. But I used the Sanitary cycle to get the hottest water, so this will take a while.

Thanks again!
Related Discussions
Questions about Setup of and Detergents for New Washer and Dryer
Q
Comments (4)
Because your units will be installed on the second floor, vibration that is not dampened by your washer will be transmitted through the building's structure. Depending on where the laundry space is located on the second floor, the construction of your residence, and where other walls are situated beneath the laundry location will all affect dampening, and thus your end results. The shipping bolts secure the washer drum dampening suspension, and must to removed to allow the suspension to work freely. Store the bolts for transporting the washer should the need arise. Rigid exhaust ducting is quieter than flexible resulting from less turbulence; it also last much longer.
...See More
FL detergent questions
Q
Comments (9)
1. don't "store" the detergent in the compartment. add it when you are going to wash (of course, if you choose the Delay Start feature, the detergent will sit there for a while, which is OK, but don't make a habit of leaving it in there ) 2. there are lots of detergents and many people swear by their favorites, so to get a less biased opinion check out Consumer's Reports or other publications' detergent comparisons. Some of the Tides are very well regarded and AAMOF, because of that, I recently picked up my first bottle of Tide Free and Clear. Normally I use All Free and Clear which isn't rated at the top, but it's not at the bottom, either. :) I like using Oxiclean powder (free) also, for whites. I almost never use "real" bleach--last time I used it was for the Pure Cycle to get out a trace of sourness. That smell was fixed by running PC with bleach and hasn't come back in many weeks. I've had the washer (Samsung 520) since late last year and it's as fresh as the day it was delivered--I dry the seal and det compt. As far as liquid vs powders, I'm not in a position to recommend one type of the other. Others will offer their opinions, I'm sure. Again, check for recommendations from consumer pubs.
...See More
JoAnn Fl question about liquid soap
Q
Comments (3)
You thinking of this thread by chance? There's a bunch of different recipes for laundry soap but they're all similar. Some prefer a powder detergent while others prefer the liquid/gel. Some add OxiClean, some add Cascade or similar to get some enzymes in there for an added boost, some add vinegar, some have added Calgon or other softener, although Borax will help soften the water.
...See More
Home made laundry detergent and FL question
Q
Comments (7)
I made my garden stuff with dish soap and it was very sudsy. My first batch made with hand soap didn't seem to suds in the top loader (and I used a full powder scoop). I did throw that batch away. The second batch I made, I used the duggar family recipe (1 fels bar, 1 cup washing soda, 1/2 cup borax--5 gallon bucket--half fill final container and fill rest with water. Makes 10 gallons = 640 loads. Use 1/4 cup for front loader). I did add some hand soap, but far less than the first time. When I was filling my milk jugs they did suds, but when I put 1/4 cup in a pint of water and shook it up, nothing. Also, because it seems so diluted, it didn't smell as bad (I did learn that adding ajax grapefruit dish soap to the garden stuff smells really, really bad--directions calls for dishsoap so suds ok). I did dilute it again and put some in with my kid's bedding load. I don't see any suds (I sure hope it isn't too diluted to actually work). Thank you for the powdered version. I think that I might try that. Although, I have 5 gallons of liquid (just made half the duggar family recipe). Will that hurt a septic tank to pour it down the drain? Although it is about 98% water. I appreciate the parts directions. Most of what I found have cups and bars. Well, yesterday I graded an old bar and a fresh bar. There is a difference in a cup of old shavings and new, so I'm not always sure I have the portions correct). Can I use Dr. Bonner's castille soap instead of zote or fels naptha? I think that I read something about it sudsing too much but I found some with the scent in it already.
...See More
fordtech
17 years ago
Good luck with it. It will take some time to adjust to just the right mix for your water quality and various load types. My general rule is 2 parts detergent to 1 part STPP and have been satisfied. You will also consider the use of bleach and softners to various loads as well. You also can consider the avaliable temperatures of water from the heater and what your machine can heat the water to. My machine only goes to 130 degrees but that has been quite satisfactory for our purposes, though I wouldnt complain if it would do 160 or better :)

Good luck!
PS Ive been turning wrenches since the 70s and destroyed plenty of uniforms over the years. 90 weight gear lube is the worst and almost impossible. Fortunately I dont mess with gear lubes anymore since I do primarily electrical and electronic repairs in my shop.

Related Stories

MOST POPULAR What to Know About Adding a Deck

By Mitchell Parker

Want to increase your living space outside? Learn the requirements, costs and other considerations for building a deck

ARCHITECTURE 10 Things to Know About Prefab Homes

By Laura Gaskill

Are prefab homes less costly, faster to build and greener than homes constructed onsite? Here are answers to those questions and more

GARDENING GUIDES No-Regret Plants: 5 Questions Smart Shoppers Ask

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Quit wasting money and time at the garden center. This checklist will ensure that the plants you're eyeing will stick around in your yard

FEEL-GOOD HOME The Question That Can Make You Love Your Home More

By Laura Gaskill

Change your relationship with your house for the better by focusing on the answer to something designers often ask

WORKING WITH PROS 12 Questions Your Interior Designer Should Ask You

By Mike Dietrich

The best decorators aren’t dictators — and they’re not mind readers either. To understand your tastes, they need this essential info

KITCHEN DESIGN 9 Questions to Ask When Planning a Kitchen Pantry

By Susan Redman

Avoid blunders and get the storage space and layout you need by asking these questions before you begin

GREEN BUILDING What's LEED All About, Anyway?

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

If you're looking for a sustainable, energy-efficient home, look into LEED certification. Learn about the program and its rating system here

WORKING WITH PROS What Do Landscape Architects Do?

By Falon Mihalic

There are many misconceptions about what landscape architects do. Learn what they bring to a project

FURNITURE How to Buy a Quality Sofa That Will Last

Learn about foam versus feathers, seat depth, springs, fabric and more for a couch that will work for years to come

FUN HOUZZ Everything I Need to Know About Decorating I Learned from Downton Abbey

Mind your manors with these 10 decorating tips from the PBS series, returning on January 5

Sponsored

More Discussions

paint color for small laundry room

16

Laundry Room Help

8

Need help, washing machine problem

3

Dryer is taking too long to dry!!!

14

Laundry room ideas

1