What did I do to get things soft?

10 years ago

Thanks to all you freaks I discovered the joys of STPP. :) (yes I count myself in that comment too) I've restored dishwasher performance, cleaned clothes better than before, and have had fun doing it.

This one has me puzzled. Did a couple loads of jeans today, second run through with no fabric softener (I like to do that one in a while to "clean" them with no residue.). Added the following to 8 or 9 pairs of 38x34 jeans:

2 3/4 29.6cc scoops Walmart Arial powder
1/2 tsp STPP
Filled softener dispenser with white vinegar

Ran them on the normal cycle with steam in our LGEnmore FL. When they came out of the dryer they were almost as soft as when I used softener! Last wash they were a little scratchy but softened up within minutes of wearing.

So what did it - was it the STPP (we do have soft water), the Ariel, the moon's alignment or just dumb luck?

Featured Answer

larsi_gw

10 years ago

I use 1-2 tsp. STPP in my front loader. I do not add STPP to liquid detergents though. For some reason, that makes SUDS. Adding it to powders...no problem.

I can tell you, it was NOT the damn white vinegar though! LOL Save that for pickles, salad dressing and descaling your coffee pot. HA!!

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Comments (7)

mamapinky0
10 years ago
WElcome to the joys of STPP just like grandmas laundry clean and soft with no FS. ButI'm surprised you got these results with so little even in a FL.
itguy08 thanked mamapinky0
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itguy08
Original Author
10 years ago
The only thing I can't think of why so little worked was that we do have a water softener so we're already starting out with soft water.

I was also surprised that this Ariel made nearly no suds (I checked). I wonder if they changed the formula? There is very little information on it anywhere so it's hard to know.

I'll keep the vinegar out of the machine - I never thought it did much other than maybe help residue wash away but now with the STPP it's not needed.

I'm starting to wonder if this is how Mom did laundry back in the 80's without fabric softener? I don't remember her using much of it growing up and I also don't remember wearing cardboard. lol
User Post
10 years ago
STPP pulls out detergent residue, rinses away easily, and is mild-PH wise. And all of that, is good for soft, clean laundry :)
itguy08 thanked User Post
itguy08
Original Author
10 years ago
Next question is- can you use too much? Could I go up to 1-2 tsp without incident? Thinking for my next load of towels that may have a lot of residue on them.
mamapinky0
10 years ago
Try this...add your stpp to a load of laundry dont add anything else yet...after it gets mixed up open the door and feel the water it should feel very slippery if its not add more and check again..continue until you have nice slippery water..that will be the amount you will use...I wouldn't worry about using to much concidering your adding it by the spoon..it wouldn't hurt anyway...try this test so you know how much to use since you do need to add the correct amount to condition your water in order to benefit from it. Remember stpp does a lot more than soften the water.
mamapinky0
10 years ago
You won't hurt anything by adding to much but it will be wasteful lol.....I add at least 1/4 cup sometimes more..