Tsp

[Cowgirl]

I couldn't find it in any other thread...but does TSP cleaner kill plants?

 

[Sharon]

What is TSP cleaner?

 

[gumby]

I couldn't find it in any other thread...but does TSP cleaner kill plants?

Probably will. I think the box says to mist your plants first. It may have been the bleach(if you used any) Trisodium phospate can be real strong if mixed that way. It works well though.

 

[receipt19]

I couldn't find it in any other thread...but does TSP cleaner kill plants?

It didn't kill ours. YMMV....

 

[Cowgirl]

It didn't kill ours. YMMV....

What is YMMV?

 

[Cowgirl]

What is TSP cleaner?

It's a cleaner for decks and stuff. BF wants to clean the roof, but I'm worried it will kill my plants.

 

[receipt19]

What is YMMV?

Your Mileage May Vary . FWIW. (g!)

 

[Rael]

Obviously not sure of the plants' configuration in relation to the roof, but watering the plants thoroughly where potential run-off of the chemical is a good preventative measure. If he's messy with the spray, maybe even cover them after watering with plastic material before using the product.

And to be careful to use the right ratio, 1/2 cup TSP to 2 gal. warm water for very tough jobs if you use it. TSP is very strong stuff. There are other products that serve the same purpose of roof cleaning that have less damage potential not only to your plants, but the environment. Google "cleaning roof" (not trying to sound insulting to you or your BF).

Not claiming to be an expert, but if there are safer products out there,....why not give it a try? :shrug:

EDIT: I found this, maybe a good read...hope it works out
Cleaning Masonry Surfaces

 

[jazz lady]

TSP is an effective cleaner but is nasty, nasty stuff.

What it can do to you and the environment

While they are highly effective in cleaning, the use of phosphates has been dramatically scaled back in recent decades over concerns about their effects in environmental water. These inorganic chemicals do not break down easily and tend to build up in freshwater ponds and lakes, where they promote the growth of algae. Excessive algae blooms deplete the oxygen in water, harming plankton and the fish that feed on them.
...
Both TSP and sodium metasilicate are highly alkaline. Dust from these powders can irritate the nose, eyes and lungs. When mixed with water to form a cleaning solution, prolonged exposure to both chemicals can cause skin irritation.

Phosphates have been banned in laundry detergent for many years because of the environmental impact. Like the article states, there are safer alternatives like borax and “phosphate-free” TSP powder.

 

[Cowgirl]

Thanks everyone. I'm telling BF he's got to get up there with a scrub brush and some dish soap.

TSP is out! We'll find something more environmentally friendly.

 

[roofcleaningtam]

Do It Yourself Roof Cleaning

TSP is a Powerful Nitrogen Fertilizer, as well as a cleaner.
Like any fertilizer, it CAN burn plants if mixed too strong.
Suggestion ?
Wt all plants/grass down first, and keep wet during cleaning.
Rinse all plants off when done.
We are a shingle and tile roof cleaning company in tampa
We use TSP on a daily basis.
Here is what TSP makes a dirty roof look like, when combined with Sodium Hypochlorite.
:worthless

 

[GWguy]

I thought you couldn't get real TSP here, only the TSP substitute? I have a gallon in my hand it it clearly says "substitute". It doesn't say anything about harming plants, but it is a skin irritant, so if it hurts your skin, I'm sure it will burn plants, too. Dimethyl Glutarate and Dimethyl Adipate.

 

[roofcleaningtam]

I thought you couldn't get real TSP here, only the TSP substitute? I have a gallon in my hand it it clearly says "substitute". It doesn't say anything about harming plants, but it is a skin irritant, so if it hurts your skin, I'm sure it will burn plants, too. Dimethyl Glutarate and Dimethyl Adipate.

REAL TSP is availiable here in Florida at Home Depot, Lowes, and Ace hardware/
Most "substitutes" I have seen are Sodium Metasillicate and a Butoxy Alcohol.
Some are different.
Remember how WHITE Monny used to get our clothes ?
It was because TSP was in there.
TSP is a wonderful cleaner, and IS a fertilizer as well.
THAT was the problem, LOL
It was such a GOOD fertilizer, it caused unchecked aquatic growth in our lakes, rivers, and streams.
That is why it was banned.
It is well worth seeking out, before you throw all those underwear away, if ya know what I mean
Here is another roof cleaning picture of a cement tile roof.
TSP cleans cement real nice too, including roofs.

 

[jazz lady]

TSP is a wonderful cleaner, and IS a fertilizer as well.
THAT was the problem, LOL
It was such a GOOD fertilizer, it caused unchecked aquatic growth in our lakes, rivers, and streams.
That is why it was banned.

No, it's because TSP is an environmentally hazardous material and quite deadly to life in general.

Six Arguments Against Using Phosphates or TSP to Clean Homes of Lead-Contaminated Dust Hazards - LSZ, Inc.

This is just an example of the hazards of using it for one application. It is virtually banned for a REASON.

 

[roofcleaningtam]

I teach roof cleaning, and clean roofs for a living.
TSP is used by many roof cleaners.
I agree, widespread use is not good for the ecosystem.
I am aware of the film, and we count on it.
We use the film to trap Borax in it, and offer longer term algae protection for roofs we clean.

 

[crabcake]

We used TSP to clean our walls in our house in AZ before we repainted. The previous owners had smoked in the house for several years, and the walls were n-a-s-t-y covered in cigarette tar! It did an awesome job!

We didn't grow a second head or anything after using it, but we had all the windows open, wore gloves, etc. :shrug:

 

[gumby]

If you follow the directions, it's perfectly safe. The way I look at it is that by the time you are finished mixing and rinsing, it's so diluted it is gone before it is harmful to Mama Earth.

 

[Cowgirl]

If you follow the directions, it's perfectly safe. The way I look at it is that by the time you are finished mixing and rinsing, it's so diluted it is gone before it is harmful to Mama Earth.

Ok. Did you read this quote from Jazz's link?

1. All phosphates, including tri-sodium phosphate (TSP), are so damaging to the environment, particularly lakes and rivers, that more than 19 states and several counties in 15 other states, limit the phosphorous content of household laundry products to 0.5% (this is assumed to be a virtual ban). The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) from Rhone-Poulenc1 states; "Do not flush material into public sewer system or any water way."2

Where do you think it all goes when it goes into the ground? It eventually makes its way into the waterways.

 

[gumby]

Ok. Did you read this quote from Jazz's link?



Where do you think it all goes when it goes into the ground? It eventually makes its way into the waterways.

Believe me when I say I do all I can to protect Mother Earth. What I meant by dilution is that I believe(I'm no scientist) there is less than .5% after all the mixing and rinsing. I'm guessing that when I used TSP to clean my siding, I used prolly 50 gallons of water. That to a quart of liquid TSP is pretty high dilution rate. I could be wrong and I'm sure someone will let me know. I always try to leave a place better than I found it.

 

[roofcleaningtam]

We used TSP to clean our walls in our house in AZ before we repainted. The previous owners had smoked in the house for several years, and the walls were n-a-s-t-y covered in cigarette tar! It did an awesome job!

We didn't grow a second head or anything after using it, but we had all the windows open, wore gloves, etc. :shrug:

We use it all the time, and still have our first born.