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SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah is one of 17 states that limits phosphorus in detergents.
It is an effort to help save the environment from the dangers of phosphorus, which causes significant algae growth that can reduce fish habitat.
Phosphate soap bans have been passed over the past four years, but the soap industry persuaded lawmakers in all 17 states involved to delay implementation until July 1 of last year. That allowed time for reformulating the dishwashing products. The new phosphate-free soaps began moving into the marketplace shortly thereafter and customers immediately began to notice.
Phosphorus is the key ingredient to that spot-free shine when your dishes come out of the dishwasher.
So, now customers are trying every possible remedy to remove those hard water spots. Some are even going out of state to purchase soaps with phosphate.
For those of you who don't want to travel for a solution we have collected several home remedies over the past few weeks.
ksl.com has not tested any of these home solutions, so try at your own risk:
- Add between a teaspoon and a tablespoon of citric acid to your wash. Citric acid can be purchased at any kitchen supply store. No one is talking about this for some strange reason. We were informed of this by our dishwasher repair man. We have been using it since the phosphate ban and it works amazingly! -Matthew Murray
- DiamondBrite. It is one of many Melaleuca Products that use natural, safe ingredients with greater results and less cost than store brands. You will see that they never have used phosphates, chlorine bleach or high-alkaline formulas. It is highly concentrated which lowers the price and best of all it works. You don't even need to add rinse agents, additives or conditioners to your machine. -Kirt Palmer
- I bought a product at Home Depot called TSP (Trisodium Phosphate) in the paint Dept. Just added 1/2 to 1 Tsp. with soap and dishes get clean now. -James Andersen
- Lemi Shine. It is a phosphate free dishwasher additive that works amazingly well, in fact it works better than the detergents that used to have the phosphate added in my opinion and doesn't leave your dishes with the bad smell of vinegar. The product works great, smells good, is available at most supermarkets and definitely solved our phosphate free problems. -Ladd Harris
- Ecover- made almost entirely from natural or mineral-based ingredients. Instead of phosphates, the tablets contain a layered silicate and the naturally derived chelating agents sodium citrate and sodium gluconate. -Joel Miller
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