Dissolve half a cup of TSP in two gallons of warm water, resulting in a slightly cloudy, odorless solution. The solution can be funneled into a spray bottle or applied from the mixing bucket with a stiff scrub brush or sponge. Apply in broad strokes with some elbow grease. Rinse thoroughly with plain water to banish any TSP residue.
Full Answer
How do I make my own cleaning solution with TSP?
Fill the first bucket with a gallon of warm water while stirring in a ¼ cup of TSP powder. You will want to use a wooden stirring stick to mix this use to prevent plastic or metal from breaking down.
How to clean kitchen cabinets with TSP?
Follow the below cleaning steps to clean kitchen cabinets with TSP. Firstly, make a cleaning solution by mixing TSP and hot water. Ensure you combine a ¼ cup of trisodium phosphate with a gallon of warm water into a bucket. Then, use a wood stir stick to mix these ingredients properly. Next, set up a workstation and bring the cabinet doors on it.
Is TSP safe for exterior cleaning?
It wasn’t so long ago that trisodium phosphate (TSP) was a go-to choice for tough cleaning jobs, especially on exteriors. Diluted in water and applied often with a stiff scrub brush, it can remove stubborn grease stains and mold and mildew growth.
How do you use TSP to clean concrete floors?
Use a long-handled spoon to stir the solution until the TSP dissolves. Use 1/2 cup of TSP if the concrete surface is extremely dirty. Mop the concrete surface with the solution, or pour the solution onto the concrete and scrub it with a stiff-bristled broom.
Can TSP be used to clean carpet?
Years ago, I worked for a company that used trisodium phosphate to clean carpets and upholstery. You can get this stuff at any Home Depot. One of its main uses is as an asphalt and concrete cleaner.
What is the best homemade carpet cleaning solution?
Baking soda and vinegar is one of the best mixtures for spot-treating messes on a carpet. ... Using a mixture of salt and water can clean recent stains made from spilling wine or dropping food.More items...•
How do you mix TSP for cleaning?
How Should TSP be Prepared and Applied?Dissolve half a cup of TSP in two gallons of warm water, resulting in a slightly cloudy, odorless solution.To combat mold and mildew, a stronger batch of one cup of TSP to three quarts of warm water, plus a quart of chlorine bleach, may be used.More items...
What is the most effective carpet cleaning method?
steam cleaningThe best method of cleaning carpets is usually steam cleaning, which removes over 90% of dirt and bacteria from carpeting. Dry cleaning carpeting is also effective for ensuring carpets are ready for foot traffic as quickly as possible.
How do you clean badly stained carpet?
Sprinkle a layer of dry baking soda on the stain. Then, mix a cup of white vinegar with a cup of water and a few drops of dish soap in a spray bottle. The vinegar will foam when it hits the baking soda which will clean the stain. Leave it to sit for a few hours.
How can I make my carpet soft again?
Dampen the dented area by spraying plain water on the fibers. Hold the blow dryer about two inches from the carpet and use your fingers to separate and fluff the fibers as you move the hot air back and forth. Repeat if needed and finish by vacuuming the carpet.
Does TSP need to be rinsed?
Always be sure to completely rinse TSP from the walls (and let the walls dry) before you paint; otherwise, the new paint won't adhere properly. Rinse the solution with a clean, damp sponge and you should end up with a beautiful paint job.
Is borax the same as TSP?
An Alternative to Cleaning with TSP Also known as sodium borate, borax is a naturally-occurring mineral compound that will clean many of the same surfaces TSP has been used on for years, including mold- and mildew-stained areas—all without causing damage nearby plants.
Does TSP leave a residue?
It can damage many metal and painted surfaces, and can stain woods. It is not recommended for use on glass, either, since it will leave a filmy residue. TSP can also be used as a masonry cleaner.
What do professionals use to clean carpets?
Hot Water Extraction Otherwise known as steam cleaning, this is easily the most common professional carpet cleaning technique. Steam cleaning uses hot water at high pressure to penetrate into carpet fibers, breaking down the dirt and bacteria stored deep within. The hot water is then extracted via vacuum.
What removes dirt that sticks or penetrates into the carpet area?
Carpet ExtractorCarpet Extractor is a designated for dry foam shampooing of carpets. It removes dirt that sticks to or penetrates into the carpet layers.
How often should carpets be shampooed?
How Often Should You Shampoo Your Carpet? You should consider cleaning your carpet at least every 12 months to remove dirt, grime, and allergens. However, this schedule can vary depending on several factors in your household. If you have children or pets, you might shampoo your carpets more regularly.
What is a tsp?
What is Trisodium Phosphate? An inorganic chemical compound (Na₃PO₄), TSP is a white granular or crystalline substance that can be mixed with water to create an alkaline solution. Once diluted, TSP is a highly effective cleanser, degreaser, and stain remover.
How much sodium carbonate is in TSP?
It’s sold in powder form, typically as 75 to 80 percent trisodium phosphate and 20 to 25 percent sodium carbonate. TSP should be stored in a secure, dry place (humid conditions can cause clumping).
What equipment is needed for TSP?
Personal protection equipment (PPE), including long pants and sleeves, waterproof gloves, goggles, and a respirator, should be worn when preparing and using TSP (check out this Safety Data Sheet for more information). Up until the late 20 th century, trisodium phosphate was a common ingredient in household cleaners and detergents, ...
What is trisodium phosphate?
Up until the late 20 th century, trisodium phosphate was a common ingredient in household cleaners and detergents, but negative environmental impact led to strict limitations on its use. Phosphate runoff into lakes and rivers was found to trigger algae overgrowth, depleting oxygen in the water and endangering fish, animals, and aquatic plants.
Can you use TSP to clean grout?
Though it shouldn’t be used to clean grout, TSP can be used to remove it; TSP is an active ingredient in grout removal products. TSP can safely be mixed with bleach to remove mold and mildew (see below for measurement guidelines).
Is TSP phosphate free?
An erroneously named phosphate-free version of TSP exists, which relies on sodium sesquicarbonate as its main ingredient. Sodium borate, aka borax, is another heavy-duty cleaner that can tackle tough jobs. But without phosphate, they will likely be less effective at getting rid of grease.
How to clean wood with TSP?
Take a second small sponge and drench it in the bucket of warm water only. Squeeze out the excess water in the bucket, and slowly wipe it over the area you just cleaned with the TSP solution. You want to ensure that you are thoroughly rinsing the wood.
What is TSP in wood flooring?
TSP (trisodium phosphate), is a robust cleaning option that not only helps the stain stick to hardwood better, but it also removes grease, stubborn junk, and mildew from both painted and unpainted wood. When it comes to your wood flooring, you want the best clean. Here’s how to properly clean your wood floors with TSP.
How to clean mildew off wood?
Grab your sponge and dip it in the solution of TSP. Very carefully you are going to wipe only a two-by-two-foot portion of the wood with the saturated sponge to help detach the mildew and other grime. You will want to clean in small sections just to make it easier on you.
What to wear when you have TSP?
You should wear rubber gloves and goggles to protect your hands and your eyes. Cover nearby flooring as well as tile or laminate since TSP can react adversely to other floor types. Remove all furniture from the room and use plastic sheeting to cover anything that cannot be removed from the room like fireplaces.
Is TSP toxic to wood floors?
Remember that TSP is a toxic and powerful cleaning agent. When you are using it to clean, you need to take precautions to keep pets and kids away from the flooring until it is fully dried, and you need to wear the correct gear to protect yourself while cleaning. You also want to gather the right materials. To use TSP on wood floors, you want first ...
Do you need to dry wood when cleaning?
When finished cleaning your floor, you need to dry the wood entirely with your terry towel or mop. Some people even choose to dry as they apply the TSP on their floors, just to keep too much water from soaking into the wood.
Can you use TSP on wood floors?
The Right Way to Use TSP on Wood Floors. Your hardwood floors aren’t going to clean themselves, and if you have troublesome stains, it can be challenging and annoying to try to clean your wood flooring. Nevertheless, there is a way to take the stains out without too much elbow grease: TSP.
What to use when cleaning cabinets with TSP?
This means you have to always use the proper safety equipment when using the product. This includes rubber gloves, eye protection, even a respiratory mask. If you are using TSP indoors (like you typically would when cleaning your cabinets), make sure there is as much ventilation as possible.
What is the chemical formula for TSP?
For those interested in its chemistry, TSP is made by neutralizing phosphoric acid with sodium hydroxide and its chemical formula is NA 3 PO 4.
What is the best degreaser?
First of all, this cleaner acts as the best degreaser which is very easy to use. All it takes is some dilution with water and it can be applied however you like—brush, rag, sponge, you name it. 2. Very effective and strong: It is effective against nearly any type of dirt, grease, chalked paint or stain.
Is TSP cleaner a sensitive product?
And for this reason, it’s not sensitive to skin and does not cause any irritation. In addition to all the above TSP cleaner alternatives, there are also products such as sugar soap, simple green, muriatic acid, CLR (calcium lime rust), and PBW (powder brewery wash) that are often recommended.
Does TSP kill mold?
If your kitchen cabinets have molds, mildew, heavy smoke, or layers of deposited soot, TSP is effective at removing that as well if you mix it with a little bit of bleach. Simply saying, TSP cleaner works very well when combined with household bleach for killing mold and mildew instantly.
Can you dump TSP in the ground?
You most likely can dump the TSP solution outside in the dirt or grass, but be sure none of it gets into the sewer system or any lakes or streams. If you only have a smaller quantity of TSP detergent left after cleaning and painting, you can flush it down the toilet, sink, or washtub drain.
Is TSP bad for you?
3. It can be bad for some surfaces: TSP is also bad to use in the bathroom because it can ruin the finish of metal, ceramics, grout, and glass.
