Vinegar is an excellent solution for natural from trisodium phosphate cleaners. It is a superb wall degreaser suitable for cleaning cabinets before painting. This process is relatively easy and efficient. You need to mix an equal amount of water and white vinegar.
If you are looking for a more natural trisodium phosphate substitute, borax can be a fine replacement. It doesn't require all the safety measures of TSP and is inexpensive, easy to use and it won't hurt the environment. Borax can kill fungus and strip away dirt and grease on porous surfaces such as wood and cement.
About 1/2 cup of dishwashing detergent to one gallon of warm water makes an effective cleaner to remove grease, tobacco smoke and grime. Borax or ammonia with warm water will also work.
When the kitchen is being repainted, TSP is absolutely necessary, particularly around the stove. If you fail to remove the grease from the walls and cabinets the paint won't adhere properly. It will take extra time and materials to fix this issue when it could have been avoided by using this wonder-working item.
In a large bucket, combine a half cup of TSP with two gallons of warm water and stir. Fill up another bucket with clean warm water. Soak a sponge in the TSP solution and start wiping down your cabinets. Focus on corners and any other areas where grease can build up.
Create a cleaning solution with 1-part baking soda, 2 parts warm water and the lemon juice. Add the solution to a spray bottle and spray the liquid onto the kitchen cabinets. Leave for 2-3 minutes, allowing the baking soda to work its magic. Use the soft sponge to gently scrub the grease away.
An Alternative to Cleaning with TSP
Also known as sodium borate, borax is a naturally-occurring mineral compound that will clean many of the same surfaces TSP has been used on for years, including mold- and mildew-stained areas—all without causing damage nearby plants.
How to Clean Tile with Vinegar. Mix ½ cup vinegar with ½ tsp. all-purpose liquid detergent and 2 cups very hot tap water. Combine in a spray bottle and mix well.
Instead of TSP, I like to clean my walls with a simple solution of warm water and Dawn soap (or any dish soap). Dawn is available anywhere and many homes already have it on hand, making it easier than TSP. It breaks down grease and leaves your walls incredibly clean.
Just mix 1 gallon of water and 3 tablespoons of white vinegar in a bucket. Then, soak a soft, light-colored sponge in the cleaning solution and then wring it out so water doesn't drip from it and form streaks on your wall. Work from the top down, wiping the wall with the sponge using gentle, circular motions.
For greasy, grimy walls, combine 1 cup of ammonia, 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda with 1 gallon of warm water. Rinse the cleaning solution off your walls with a clean cellulose sponge saturated with clear water. Wipe down the rinsed walls with a soft, dry rag.
Why is there Trisodium Phosphate in Food? TSP is most commonly used to reduce the acidic nature of foods, especially breakfast cereals, as it modifies cereal color and aids in the cereal's flow through the extruder. Other uses are: Added to meat to retain moisture during storage and cooking.
Washing your walls and trim will remove grime, cobwebs, dust and stains that can prevent your paint from adhering. Use a mixture of lukewarm water and mild soap, gently rubbing in a circular motion. Rinse your walls using a slightly damp cellulose sponge.
Most of us don't think that our walls are dusty or even dirty, but if they aren't clean and dry before painting, the paint won't stick properly. To clean walls with TSP, mix the powder into a bucket of warm water until it's completely dissolved (be sure to wear rubber gloves and goggles for protection).
What are the risks associated with Dirtex? Dirtex can also be irritating if inhaled. Prolonged exposure can burn the skin. There's no environmental precautions listed on this safety sheet from Savogran company, the manufacturer.
Commercial cereals featuring this additive include Cheerios (all kinds), Cocoa Puffs, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Kix (all kinds), Mom's Best Cereals, Trader Joe's O's (all kinds), Trix, Lucky Charms, Honeycomb, Wheaties, Total Raisin Bran, Cookie Crisp, Dora The Explorer Cereal, Reese's Puffs, Golden Grahams, SpongeBob ...
Borax and vinegar are two safe ingredients that can be combined to create a good general cleaning solution. Undiluted vinegar and borax can also be used for mildew removal. When mixing Borax with other ingredients, it is essential to use warm water to help it dissolve.
Trisodium phosphate has been used by painters for years and years as a heavy duty degreaser and all purpose cleaner. TSP is formulated for removing Grease, soot,and lead paint dust cleanup. A washing of surfaces prior to painting helps insure a good clean "bite" for the finish coats of paint.
It is a free TSP phosphate liquid cleaner that can clean every material and dirty surfaces. The versatility of Simple Green makes this product a fantastic TSP cleaning agent because it is not toxic and contains a biodegradable formula that can adequately clean all washable surfaces.
Don't Use Vinegar and Water
Vinegar is acidic and will damage your wood cabinets. While it is true that if heavily diluted, vinegar will lose much of its acidity, but when diluted it will also lose much of its properties that make it an effective cleaner. Diluted vinegar is no more effective than dish soap.
Vinegar is the go-to natural cleaner when faced greasy cabinets. Mix a 50/50 solution of vinegar and warm water and pour it into a spray bottle. Mist on cabinets, let sit for a minute or two and then wipe clean with a soft cloth.
The sticky residue found on your kitchen cupboards is usually caused by cooking grease and dirt, but it may also be the residues left by some cleaners. No matter what its source, a sticky residue is unappealing and damaging to your kitchen cabinets.