You can purchase powdered TSP (trisodium phosphate) to supplement your detergent. Usually you will find it with paint supplies as it is recommended for cleaning walls prior to painting. Lowes usually carries it in powdered form.

DW detergent still contains phosphate - maybe?

Try Ariel or Foca laundry detergent. They are Mexican detergents and Mexico doesn't have the strick regulations regarding phosphates. I believe the US limits phosphates now to 0.5%, where I believe these two detergents have 5% to 7% phosphates. I read this in a report from Washington State, it was a 2005 report. So unless they've changed formulations, these two ought to do it.

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone!
Showing my ignorance, I didn't know the USA limited phosphates in detergent. I'll try going online for the Mexican detergents as I don't know how much TSP to add to regular powdered detergent to achieve the proper ratio of the two. I only know F&P recommends "2 scoops of a powdered detergent that contain phosphate". Thanks again!
kcred

Where does it say to use phosaphate detergents and why?

To milo2000:
On page 33 of my owners manual, under Caring For Your Aquasmart Washer, it tells how to clean the inside of your washer.
I think I will go with Ariel as it has twice the phosphate (by weight) of Foca.
Is MexGrocer reputable? I've never dealt with them.
Thanks!
kcred

I always add about 1/2 cup of dishwasher detergent to a load of whites. .It keeps them sooooo white, I never had to use bleach. Debbie. .

Great thanks for the info as I have an EcoSmart and they should be similar. I will check it out. Does anyone know why you should use the phosphate detergent. I know the US is doinf away with most of them due to phosphates cause algae blooms in lakes and rivers.

Phosphates are prohibited in many states in the USA...prohibited in laundry detergents but not Dishwasher detergents. So that is why I suggested using a DW detergent If all you are doing is cleaning your washer.

To milo2000:
I have the F&P Aquasmart model #WL37T26D. It has the stainless steel drum, so if your Ecosmart washer has a stainless steel drum as well, it probably is okay to do so. The manual says to do this 5-6 times a year with the "Clean Me" cycle by holding down the HIGH EFFICIENCY and START buttons together.

To jerrod6:
You are correct! I just checked my box of Cascade DW detergent, and it has 6.9% phosphate in it. Thanks for the tip as I never would've thought to look there.
kcred

To tell you the truth. I don't know why they eliminated phosphates from detergents anyway. It wasn't average consumer use that caused the algae bloom problems. It was actually caused my massive dumping by companies not realizing it would cause a problem.

Concidering the high price of oil now and everyone searching for alternative forms of fuel, maybe they should put the phosphate back in the detergents. I saw a news clip about a man developing fuel from algae. We put the phosphates back in, harvest the algae before it threatens the wildlife, and make fuel out of it.

In theory, everyone wins. We all get really clean, soft clothes like back in the day, fish are not threatened and we have an abundant alterior fuel supply.

I used a cup of Lemi Shine in my Aquasmart and it made the tub look brand new.

OT - Regarding algae and fuel...

The link below gives a rundown on the companies working in this space. Interesting stuff. Most seem to be growing their algae in controlled environments.

Here is a link that might be useful: Algae based Fuel

One thing to be careful of with using dishwasher detergent is many of them have bleach in them which of course will help your whites, but could also bleach non white items if you're not careful. I've been using it now for a long time as a laundry booster and I've been very happy.

Another option that old time forumers were using was STPP. Many would buy it from Chemistrystore. I've never used it or purchased from them so I can't give personal experience on it.

Here is a link that might be useful: STPP FAQ

Yes, you might like to add STPP along with your regular detergent/soap. I recently started adding it to Charlies Soap, and it works great. I have terribly hard water, so the STPP is a wonderful find for me.

I read the STPP FAQ. It said that it was good at removing residues, so couldn't this be used alone if you wanted to clean your washer?

Is there any advantage to using STPP or sodium hexametaphosphate with water that has been treated with a whole-house softener? Do these compounds do anything beneficial to laundry besides soften water?

The FAQ quoted above says there are 2 exemptions to the US regulations on phosphates; DW detergent and institutional use. You may be able to get as STPP laundry detergent from a commercial supplier, if you don't mind buying a lifetime supply in one box.

Out of curiosity, I bought some Whirlout at Home Depot (in the spa bathtub section) and tried it for the "clean washer" cycle of my Duet. I used four tablespoons, and it seemed to do just fine. I read on one of these forums that LG recommends Whirlout for cleaning its front loaders. The manufacturer won't make any claims regarding washing machines, but LG is impressed enough to recommend it to their repair technicians.

Kcred, I have done four basket cleans on my Aquasmart (WL26cw2). I just use about a half cup of dishwasher powder. I have only used Charlies Soap in this machine, and have no build up of anything in the tub. The DW powder seems to clean the blue jean stains off of the impeller though.

How are you liking your Aquasmart?

They are now removing phosphates from dishwasher cleaners, although modern sewage treatment plants remove them from waste water. Many people I know are finding their dishes are not as clean; I am finding my black pot handles are turning gray in colour. This came up because several of us thought our dishwashers were failing. I am experimenting with adding the TSP you talked about to my powdered cleaner. Thanks for the information you have presented.

For those of you who seem clueless(most), you need to get informed. The problem isn't with the soap companies, it's not with your dishwasher, it's not hard water. The problem is with out of control eco-terrorism. Read this article to understand what happened to your dishwasher soap. (Cut and paste for those of you technologically challenged. http://www.weeklystandard.com/articles/another-triumph-greens_536862.html

http://mises.org/daily/5267/Why-Everything-Is-Dirtier

I called Fisher & Paykel. They said to use regular non-phosphate detergent and white vinegar for cleaning cycle.

Kcred - Just curious, how did you determine that Ariel has twice as much phosphates compared to Foca? I have both and don't see any information about how much phosphate content they have...TIA

Ariel has 3%. Says so on my bottles. I buy mine from amazon.

Don't use phosphates unless you are hooked up to town sewer because it will ruin the bacteria in you septic system or cesspool. That's why they took it out of laundry detergent.

Do not use TSP in your washer. It will damage rubber or plastic parts. STPP is the correct additive for laundry.

Phosphate loaded Bubble Bandit-

https://www.bubblebandit.com/?mc_cid=67fa3d2d57&mc_eid=0205be6ed0

Use code SPRING18 for 10% off till April 9th.

Jeff

No, sealedesign, that is not why phosphates were removed from laundry detergents. It was removed due to eutrophication of surface waters.

Yeppers and guess what....that only solved 3% of the algae blooms.