How do I make my own TSP cleaner?
Emily Wong
Updated on February 12, 2026
How do I make my own TSP cleaner?
Mix a cleaning solution in a bucket. 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.
What can I use in place of TSP cleaner?
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.
What are the ingredients in TSP cleaner?
What Is Trisodium Phosphate (TSP)? Trisodium phosphate, commonly called TSP, is a packaged, blended cleaning product consisting of 75 to 80 percent trisodium phosphate and 20 to 25 percent sodium carbonate.
Can I mix TSP and 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. Spray on then rinse with a sponge.
Does TSP have to be rinsed off?
Always be sure to completely rinse TSP from the walls (and let the walls dry) before you paint; otherwise, the new paint won’t adhere properly. Rinse the solution with a clean, damp sponge and you should end up with a beautiful paint job.
Do you have to rinse TSP substitute?
Standard TSP must be rinsed away with clean water. Depending on how dirty the surface is, several rinses may be necessary. It isn’t as strong as the original TSP, but it is well-suited for lightly soiled surfaces and general-purpose cleaning. It requires no rinsing when mixed as directed.
Is Simple Green a TSP cleaner?
Simple Green is an environmentally safe alternative for TSP that is also not an irritant. It is a liquid cleaner that can clean an array of surfaces and material. It cleans and cuts grease well and there are a variety of formulations for different applications. Buy TSP, Phosphate-Free now on Amazon.
Can you pour TSP down the drain?
Can TSP go down the drain? If you have very small quantities of a product that contains the detergent TSP (trisodium phosphate), flush it down the toilet or washtub drain with plenty of water. Move the container to a sheltered, secure, outdoor area away from flames, children, and pets.
How long after cleaning with TSP can you paint?
Most latex primers dry to the touch within 30 minutes to 1 hour. But do not paint the wall until the primer dries thoroughly, which can take up to 3 hours.
What happens if you dont rinse TSP?
Will TSP kill mold?
To combat mold and mildew, a stronger batch of one cup of TSP to three quarts of warm water, plus a quart of chlorine bleach, may be used. The solution can be funneled into a spray bottle or applied from the mixing bucket with a stiff scrub brush or sponge.
What’s the easiest way to use TSP cleaner?
Easy application: You might expect that using such a powerful cleaning agent would entail a complicated procedure, but once diluted, TSP can be applied simply with a brush or sponge, or via a sprayer.
How do you wash a wall with TSP trisodium phosphate?
To hand-wash the surface, use a sponge to apply the warm solution. Dip the sponge in the TSP Trisodium Phosphate solution. Wring it out until the sponge is damp. Always wash the wall from the bottom up.
How much warm water to use for TSP?
The best ratio for this is two gallons of warm water for every half cup of TSP. After you have the cleaning mixture set, you will need a second container of clean water ready as well. Once all the cleaning materials are gathered, you are ready for step two: prepping the area.
How to use TSP cleaner before painting cabinets?
How to Use TSP before Painting Cabinets? 1 Step 1: Prepping the cleaner. First, you need to dilute the TSP. The best ratio for this is two gallons of warm water for every half cup of TSP. After 2 Step 2: Prepping the area. 3 Step 3: Cleaning the cabinets. 4 Step 4: Rinsing the cabinets. 5 Step 5: Paint the cabinets.
What’s the best way to use TSP cleaner?
It’s best on outdoor surfaces, although it can be used indoors, too. In that case, mask all other areas you’re not cleaning, and do not use it on metal, glass, or wood, as it can cause damage. Rinse the surface thoroughly with clean water after use and leave to dry.
What’s the best way to remove TSP from concrete?
Wet the surface of the concrete with a garden hose if it’s outdoors, or use a wet mop if it’s indoors. Put on rubber gloves and a ventilation mask. Mix 1/4 cup of trisodium phosphate with 1 gallon of hot water in a bucket. Use a long-handled spoon to stir the solution until the TSP dissolves.
To hand-wash the surface, use a sponge to apply the warm solution. Dip the sponge in the TSP Trisodium Phosphate solution. Wring it out until the sponge is damp. Always wash the wall from the bottom up.
The best ratio for this is two gallons of warm water for every half cup of TSP. After you have the cleaning mixture set, you will need a second container of clean water ready as well. Once all the cleaning materials are gathered, you are ready for step two: prepping the area.