Cleaning with TSP isn’t as common as it once was, but it’s great for cleaning surfaces before painting. This powerful cleaner is great for removing oil, grease, and stains and it can be used for both the interior and exterior of your house.
But there is a reason it’s not used as much these days and the reason is in its name. Read on to learn more about TSP and how to safely use it.
What is TSP?
Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) is a white granular powder that is commonly used as a cleaner and detergent. It works by creating an alkaline solution when it’s mixed with water, which effectively breaks down dirt and grime on painted and other surfaces.
TSP contains between 75-80% trisodium phosphate and 20-25% Sodium Carbonate. This makes it very versatile for cleaning different surfaces, such as decks or walls, both indoors and outdoors.
The use of TSP has declined since it contains phosphate, which is a nutrient for algae and can cause environmental problems and affect aquatic life. This has resulted in stricter regulations on the use of TSP by many states and cities.
Although it’s an effective cleaner and stain remover, TSP should be used with caution since it can be harmful to you if not used right.
Is TSP Safe To Use?
As long as you wear proper gloves and safety glasses, TSP is safe to use. Use gloves such as nitrile gloves or similar.
When you mix TSP with water then don’t inhale the dust and wear a dust mask if needed.
If you get it in your eye it can cause severe irritation, redness, tearing, and blurred vision and may cause transient injury to the cornea.
If that would happen then flood with plenty of water with eyelids held open for at least 15 minutes and get medical attention promptly.
If you inhale the dust it can cause nasal and respiratory irritation. If symptoms develop then seek immediate medical attention.
Prolonged or repeated contact might dry the skin and other symptoms might be redness, burning, cracking of the skin, and skin burns.
Wash your hands after use with soap and water and launder your clothes before you use them again if they have been in contact with TSP.
How Should TSP be Prepared and Applied?
To prepare TSP for use, mix half a cup of TSP with two gallons of warm water in a bucket.
When applying the TSP solution, use a sponge, a wide paintbrush, or a scrub brush and scrub the surface with the solution until it is clean.
Once you’re done scrubbing, rinse the surface with clean water and allow it to dry completely before painting.
If you’re using it to clean surfaces with mildew and mold, which is common on the exterior of your house or outdoor furniture, then add a cup of TSP to 3 quarts of warm water and a quart of bleach.
Repeat the procedure if necessary and rinse the area well.
This is the advantage this concentrated product has compared to pre-mixed detergents in bottles. It’s great for larger surfaces such as walls, both indoors and outdoors.
It’s also available as a concentrate in liquid form which is preferable since you don’t need to worry about inhaling the dust when mixing.
Are There Alternatives to TSP?
Dirtex is a product from Savogran which is the same manufacturer of TSP but it doesn’t require you to rinse it afterward, and it’s also more gentle for your skin. But as with TSP you shouldn’t leave any Dirtex on glass surfaces since it can etch it.
Phosphate-Free TSP-PF is another product from Savogran which has the power of TSP but without the phosphates.
Other alternatives are:
- Krud Kutter Prepaint Cleaner/TSP Substitute
- Simple Green All-Purpose/Heavy Duty Cleaner
- Mr. Clean Multi-Surface Cleaner
- Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaner
- Lysol All-Purpose Cleaner
- Formula 409 All-Purpose Cleaner
- Clorox Multi-Surface Cleaner
- Mean Green All-Purpose Cleaner
Where can I find TSP?
You can find TSP at most hardware stores, home improvement stores, and supermarkets, alternatively, you can order it online from retailers like Amazon or Walmart.
It’s usually sold in the form of a white powder but it can also be bought in a concentrated liquid form.
Can I use TSP for regular cleaning?
Yes, TSP can be used for regular household cleaning. It can be used to clean and degrease surfaces such as painted surfaces, walls, floors, doors, trim and appliances. It is especially effective in removing greasy or oily residues from surfaces.
It’s important to dilute TSP with water before use according to the instructions and it’s important to rinse off all surfaces with clean water to prevent any residue from being left behind.
Also, TSP shouldn’t be used on glass surfaces. When it has been applied on glass and not been rinsed off properly it can cause etching.
Should you wash walls with TSP before painting?
It depends on what condition the walls are in, if it’s walls in your kitchen or bathroom then I would recommend cleaning them.
If the walls are exposed to grease, moisture, or smoke then you should definitely clean them with TSP before painting.
That being said, if the walls don’t have anything like that on them and they’re in good condition then you shouldn’t need to clean them before painting.
Areas that hands usually touch should be cleaned since your hands leave behind oils and dirt. But other areas that don’t get touched very often you probably don’t need to clean before painting.
If you’re unsure then use your hand over the wall and see if it gets dirty, or use a rug/cloth with some detergent on it and wipe a small area and see if it gets dirty.
Can TSP go down the drain?
Diluted TSP in small quantities can be disposed of in the sink. Large amounts must be disposed of in accordance with local state and federal regulations.
Phosphate is bad to pour down the drain in large amounts because it can cause eutrophication.
Eutrophication is an unnatural increase in the level of nutrients in a body of water, which can lead to an overgrowth of algae and other aquatic plants, resulting in a decrease in water quality and oxygen levels, leading to fish and other aquatic life death.
Conclusion
In conclusion, TSP is a powerful cleaning solution and stain remover great for prepping surfaces before painting and other cleaning jobs as well.
Although, it needs to be used with caution and proper safety equipment, such as gloves and safety glasses while you’re working with it.
Remember to not use it on glass or leave it on for longer periods of time since it can etch the surface.
Alternatives to TSP, such as Krud Kutter which they claim is a tsp substitute, can also be used for prepping surfaces. It’s better to use these biodegradable cleaning products since they are more environmentally friendly.
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