SIGN UP LOG IN

Official Partner of the LIVESTRONG Foundation

FOOD

LIVESTRONG.COM

Food and Drink

Diet and Nutrition

FITNESS

Vitamins and Supplements

HEALTH

TRACKER

MORE

What Is Tri Sodium Phosphate Used For?

What
Is Tri Sodium Phosphate Used For?

Last Updated: Nov 11, 2015 | By Allison Adams

56

Advertisement

People Are Reading

What Are the Health Benefits of
Monosodium Phosphate?

Close-up of dishwasher tabs. Photo Credit baratroli/iStock/Getty Images

Tri sodium phosphate is a strong chemical typically used as a cleaning agent, food additive, stain remover
and degreaser. Commonly sold as a white powder, TSP is also known as trisodium orthophosphate or
sodium phosphate. Formerly, you would find this chemical used in a variety of soaps and detergents, but
manufacturers no longer use TSP in these products due to ecological concerns.

Is Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate

Dangerous?

Use as a Cleaning Agent

TSP has a pH of 12 meaning the chemical is an alkaline. Alkaline agents typically have a powerful capacity to
penetrate greases and oils. However, due to ecological concerns manufacturers started to substitute sodium
carbonate along with non-ionic surfactants and a small amount of sodium phosphates for TSP in many
cleaning products. These newer, safer substances are not as effective as cleaning products with TSP.
Additionally, you can use TSP to treat surfaces prior to painting. Further, you can mix TSP with bleach to kill
mildew. TSP can damage metal and painted surfaces and can stain woods. Also, you should not use TSP on
glass because it will leave a filmy residue.

You Might Also Like

Short & Long Term Effects of
Sodium Bicarbonate
Is Trisodium
Phosphate Bad
for You?

Food Additives:
What is Sodium
Phosphate?

Dicalcium
Phosphate in
Foods

What is Sodium
Phosphate
Monobasic?

Use as a Food Additive

TSP is also commonly used as an acidity regulator and emulsifier, and as a thickening and nutrition
enlargement agent in manufactured foods. When used as a food additive, TSP is also known as E339. You
can also use TSP in administering an enema due to its laxative effect. In the United States, you can purchase
sodium phosphate enemas over the counter. However, you should consult with a medical professional prior
to using a TSP enema.

Sponsored Links

ColgateWorldofCare

Related Searches

Discover more about dental and oral care at the official Colgate site.

Can Cleaner

www.colgate.co.in

Mold Cleaning Products

Mold Cleaner

TSP Poisoning

Food Sodium

Some automatic dishwashing soaps and toilet bowl cleaners and many industrial solvents and cleaners such

Mold from Water Damage

as construction agents, flooring strippers, brick cleaners and cements still contain small amounts of TSP.

A Cleaner Clean

Poisoning can occur if your accidentally swallow, breathe in or touch your skin with TSP-based products.
Poisoning symptoms include difficulty breathing; severe pain in the throat, eyes, nose, ears, lips or tongue;
fainting; skin irritation or burns; vomiting; diarrhea; and severe abdominal pain.

TSP Substitutes
You can substitute products containing soda ash and zeolites for products that contain TSP. Sodium

Currently Trending
10 Most Annoying Women's Health
Issues & How to Fix 'Em

carbonate, however, is not as basic as TSP so it is less effective in demanding applications. Zeolites are,
usually, added to laundry detergents as bulking agents. They rapidly break down in water. Therefore, zeolites
are a more eco-friendly option than TSP-based products.
SponsoredLinks

DrinkingWaterOrPlastic
Know The Harmful Effects of Bottled
Water. No.5 Will Surprise You.
lybrate.com/Free-Subscription

50 Things to Throw Out NOW +

How to Dispose of Them

Spruceupyourhome
with Nerolac Paints. Explore our
Wide range of products. Know More!
nerolac.com

BSNLBillPayment
Hassle free Bill Payment.
Pay it Online on BSNL site Now!
www.bsnl.in/BillPay

BoschHomeAppliances
German Engineered World Class
Products Now In India. Know More!

The Most Annoying Men's Health

Issues & How to Fix 'Em

www.bosch-home.com/in

Related Searches
Can Cleaner
Mold Cleaning Products
Mold Cleaner
Food Sodium
Mold from Water Damage
A Cleaner Clean

LIVESTRONG.COM Weight Loss Tools - All FREE!

Calorie Tracker - Premium Workout Videos - Premium Meal Plans - Community Support

Age

Weight

Age

Lbs

Goal
Lose 1 pound per week

Advertisement

Height

Feet

Gender
Inches

Read These
20 Foods to ALWAYS Buy Organic

See My Calorie Goal

LIVESTRONG.COM Most Popular

Worst Chemicals in Food

What's Really Inside Those McDonald's

Chicken

8 Guilt-Free Cleaning Products to

Make at Hom

The 9 WORST Breakfasts for Your

Waistline

The Worst "Health" Foods

References
MedLine Plus: Trisodium Phosphate Poisoning; Jacob L. Heller; September 2009

Which Type of Milk Is Best?

"Kirk-Othmer Concise Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology 2 Volume Set"; Kirk-Othmer; 2007

Comments
1Comment

Sortby Newest

Addacomment...

RameshManiTechnicianenggatANCOchemicals,BTechchemicalEngg.
goodboy
LikeReplyJul20,20129:58am
FacebookCommentsPlugin

ABOUT

CONTACT US

FAQ

ADVERTISE WITH US

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

Get the latest tips on diet, excercise and
healthy living
MAN

BLOGS

LIVESTRONG.COM EN ESPAOL

OFFICIAL PARTNER OF THE LIVESTRONG FOUNDATION

CANCER SUPPORT
SHOP

WOMAN

EmailAddress

PRESS

TEAM LIVESTRONG

AddMe

DONATE

Copyright 2016 Demand Media, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the LIVESTRONG.COM Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The material appearing on LIVESTRONG.COM is for
educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. LIVESTRONG is a registered trademark of the LIVESTRONG Foundation. The LIVESTRONG
Foundation and LIVESTRONG.COM do not endorse any of the products or services that are advertised on the web site. Moreover, we do not select every advertiser or advertisement that appears on the
web site-many of the advertisements are served by third party advertising companies.

Ad Choices