Water Softener

WATER SOFTENER: NaPO₃

Description: White chunky crystalline powder
Other Names: Sodium metaphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, sodium trimetaphosphate, Maddrell's salt
Dye Use: Alkali modifier, with a pH of 10+. Water softener and detergent, alkali assist, combines with hard water to remove magnesium, calcium ions, trace metal so minerals are not deposited on fiber. Sometimes helps with indigo vat.
Best On: Cellulose fibers
Dye Recipe: For very hard water, 1 tsp to 2 gal water when washing fiber.
Safety: Handle any alkaline material with care, especially when wet.
Disposal: Pour down sink or toilet
Alternative: Salt, any soda
Source: Grocery store

CODES: c = cup; gal = gallon; lb = pound (weight); tbsp = Tablespoon; tsp = teaspoon / [AF] Anglo-French; [Ar] Arabic; [AS] Anglo-Saxon; [Dan] Danish; [Du] Dutch; [Fr] French; [Ger] German; [Gk] Greek; [It] Italian; [L] Classical Latin; [LL] Late Latin; [ME] Middle English; [ML] Modern Latin; [OE] Old English; [OF] Old French; [ON] Old Norse; [OS] Old Saxon; [Port] Portuguese; [Sp] Spanish; [Sw] Swedish / CE = Common Era; BCE = Before Common Era

Back to Understanding Mordants and Modifiers | Previous: Vinegar | Next: Wine