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TSP cleaner was once the go-to choice for preparing walls and other surfaces to have paint applied. It was a favorite of painters and home remodelers, but also was a go-to product for homeowners who used it for many different applications, not just as a prep tool to paint. TSP works on nearly every surface, from brick, to stone, to cement, to wood, and even roofing. You can remove oil stains from a driveway, wash mildew from vinyl fencing, clean mold off of roof shingles, or just clean all of the dirt and stains off of surfaces that you’re planning to paint.
Quite possibly one of the easiest products to apply, either with a sponge, rag, mop, or even a sprayer, it seems the only downside to using TSP is the fact that it is incredibly caustic, and toxic to underwater ecosystems. In this article, we’ll cover why TSP cleaner lost popularity among many homeowners, what it is still used for, and how you can use it prior to painting walls and cabinets to see the maximum benefit out of its use. If you want to find out how to use TSP cleaner before painting cabinets, or any other surface, this is a point by point breakdown of TSP cleaner use and precautions.
What Is TSP Cleaner, Exactly?
TSP is trisodium phosphate, a chemical compound that comes in a powder form that you mix with water prior to using it. Typically, you dissolve a half of a cup of TSP into two gallons of warm water, and then it can be easily applied to nearly any surface that you wish to clean. However, don’t use it to clean any surface in a bathroom, because TSP will etch into the glaze of ceramic tile, and it also breaks down grout. It is often used by tile layers to remove dried grout from tile, because it easily breaks down the dried grout, and it won’t need to be scraped off of the tile with the use of TSP.
In the 1970s, the EPA began regulations to control the use of phosphates due to their negative impact on the environment, and the damage that they inflict upon marine life when they’re introduced into any fresh or salt water body. There are states today where it is against local and state laws to possess and use TSP cleaner based on those same EPA regulations. You will need to check the state and local ordinances where you’re located in order to ensure that you can legally purchase and use TSP cleaner.
Other than the fact that you shouldn’t get it near ceramic tile and grout, there are really no other surfaces around your home that can’t be cleaned with TSP cleaner, as long as the directions are followed, and you’re very careful in the application and rinse of the product. Because it is a phosphate based cleaner, any runoff that you may have, and the disposal of any leftover solution needs to be very closely monitored so that it doesn’t get into any drains, fresh water or potable water sources, or near any animals or landscaping.
How Do You Use TSP Before You Paint Cabinets?
To use TSP cleaner to perform prep prior to painting walls or cabinets, you want to start by mixing the solution as we discussed earlier. Dissolve a half cup of TSP cleaner into two gallons of warm water. Prepare the area fully for TSP application by laying down a drop cloth, and also applying tape to any wall or cabinet surface that you don’t want the TSP cleaner to make contact with. Once you’ve mixed your TSP solution, go ahead and prepare your rinse water and sponge as well, just in case there is a splash or a spill while you’re working with the TSP. If there is a spill or a splash, you’ll need to immediately clean it off of the surface, or from your skin.
Once you have applied all of your PPE, as we’ll cover in the personal protection section of this article, you can use a stiff brush, a rag, a sponge, or even a mop, to apply the TSP cleaner solution to the cabinets or surface that you wish to clean. This needs to be done carefully, because the TSP cleaner will not simply clean the surface you’re applying it to, it will actually peel the old paint from the surface. It makes sandpaper essentially obsolete, as it removes splintered or flaking leftover paint that would otherwise need to be sanded down prior to using your paint primer on the surface.
An important part of the application process is to start washing the cabinet or wall from the bottom, and work your way up. This will reduce any streaking that occurs. After you apply the TSP cleaning solution to the cabinet or surface, allow it to sit for approximately two minutes. This will give the solution time to break down any grease and oils, and any bigger debris that may be on the surface. Once the solution sits for two minutes, you can scrub it with a stiff brush for a few moments, moving from the bottom to the top to avoid any streaking.
Once you’ve finished a small area, you need to thoroughly rinse the solution off. Use a sponge and warm water, and be certain that you change the rinse water frequently. It is imperative to remove as much of the cleaning solution as possible because it will continue to eat through paint, including the new paint that you’re planning to apply to the surface. The surface or cabinet then needs to be given adequate time to fully and completely dry prior to applying any new paint at all.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of TSP Cleaner?
Pros
TSP cleaner is extremely effective, eating away stains, dirt, mildew, grease, mold, and fungus. It is not known to be ineffective on any stain removal. It actually bleaches whites better than any commercial bleach brand.
TSP cleaner is very cheap. It can be purchased at the hardware store, is cost effective, and it doesn’t take a great amount of it to complete the task.
TSP cleaning solution is easy to prepare, requiring only the TSP powder and a couple of gallons of warm water.
TSP cleaning solution can be applied using nearly any medium of your choice. A rag, sponge, mop, scrub brush, sprayer, or other method of application is completely up to you. The solution will work in an effective manner no matter how you decide to apply it.
Cons
However, working with TSP has some negative drawbacks to it, as well, and some of them are fairly serious. As a matter of fact, there are major parts of the US where it isn’t legal to own or sell TSP cleaning solutions, due to the impact that it has on the environment. For example, New York State actively has a ban on owning and possessing TSP, as it can completely annihilate aquatic ecosystems if it is introduced in runoff, or in drain water. You would need to check your individual ordinances in the area that you reside in order to be certain if you are in such an area.
Another negative aspect of working with TSP cleaner is that you need to be in full personal protective gear the entire time that you’re working with it, and ensure that there is ample ventilation through the area. It is harmful to your eyes, skin, and can negatively impact your lungs if you are in an enclosed area with the fumes unable to properly be ventilated. Be sure to wear long sleeves, pants, eye protection, and to open the entire house up to air, not just the room that you’re working in at the time.
When you’re getting rid of any excess cleaning solution, you can’t just pour it out into the yard as you would old dishwater. It will kill any vegetation that you get it on, and it will also harm pets and children, so it must be disposed of properly. You’ll need to check you local hazardous material disposal regulations in order to figure out how to dispose of your excess solution.
You shouldn’t use it in your bath, or anywhere that you have ceramic tile, because it will etch the tile glaze, and also will destroy your grout. It is used by tile professionals to take dried grout off of tile, so it is very well known to break down grout. To be safe, if you aren’t a tile professional, don’t use it in your bathroom.
You need to ensure that it is thoroughly rinsed after you have finished cleaning the cabinet or surface, and you also need to give adequate time for the surface to completely dry prior to applying any primer or paint. It is so caustic, even a small amount of wet TSP cleaner left on the surface will continue to eat the paint that you are trying to lay onto the surface.
What Precautions Should You Take Before Using TSP Cleaner As A Paint Prep?
Any area that you aren’t planning to actively use the TSP cleaner on needs to be covered, either with a drop-cloth, or taped off. Even a very small amount of TSP on an unintentional surface is going to give you a really difficult clean up job. In order to prepare for the caustic nature of the chemical, just play it safe and cover or tape off everything you aren’t using the TSP to clean.
Go ahead and prepare your rinse water prior to any application of the chemical. This is to ensure that if there is an incident or spill, you already have clean water to flush the area, surface, or yourself with. It is very harmful to your eyes and skin, and it will immediately begin to peel the paint from any surface that it accidentally makes contact with.
Make sure that the area is fully ventilated, with all doors and windows open to allow the fumes to escape. Be sure that the area is free of pets and children. Put your PPE on, including long sleeves, pants, eye protection, and gloves. This is imperative, because if it makes contact with your skin, you’re going to have a trip to the emergency room to deal with instead of prepping and painting cabinets as you planned to do.
TSP cleaner is extremely effective in the removal of oil, grease, dirt, mildew, and stains. You can use it to clean roofs, fencing, siding, driveways, walkways, and just about anything else that needs to be thoroughly cleaned. However, what you achieve in powerful cleaning, you have to weigh with the prep time that it will take to cover and tape off the surrounding surfaces, and also the time it will take to ensure that all of the cleaner is thoroughly rinsed away after the cleaning has been completed.
Although regulations have made TSP less popular today, it is still very effective at cleaning any foreign material from the area in preparation to paint, and also to remove old, peeling, flaking paint from the surface, which eliminates the need to perform any sanding prior to priming and painting. The time savings you’ll find from not having to sand, though, may very well be given back in the time that it will take to completely cover and tape off the remaining surfaces in the area that you’re working with the TSP solution in.
However, if you want to have a roof that is free of mildew, a driveway that is completely free of grease and oil stains, or if you want to paint kitchen cabinets without oil and grease seeping through into the new paint, using a TSP cleaner is the best option for taking care of all of these issues, and a host more.
Let's Recap!
TSP is trisodium phosphate, a chemical compound that comes in a powder form that you mix with water prior to using it. Typically, you dissolve a half of a cup of TSP into two gallons of warm water, and then it can be easily applied to nearly any surface that you wish to clean. However, don’t use it to clean any surface in a bathroom, because TSP will etch into the glaze of ceramic tile, and it also breaks down grout. It is often used by tile layers to remove dried grout from tile, because it easily breaks down the dried grout, and it won’t need to be scraped off of the tile with the use of TSP.
There are really no other surfaces around your home that can’t be cleaned with TSP cleaner, as long as the directions are followed, and you’re very careful in the application and rinse of the product. Because it is a phosphate based cleaner, any runoff that you may have, and the disposal of any leftover solution needs to be very closely monitored so that it doesn’t get into any drains, fresh water or potable water sources, or near any animals or landscaping.
Prepare the area fully for TSP application by laying down a drop cloth, and also applying tape to any wall or cabinet surface that you don’t want the TSP cleaner to make contact with. Once you have applied all of your PPE, as we’ll cover in the personal protection section of this article, you can use a stiff brush, a rag, a sponge, or even a mop, to apply the TSP cleaner solution to the cabinets or surface that you wish to clean.
An important part of the application process is to start washing the cabinet or wall from the bottom, and work your way up. This will reduce any streaking that occurs. After you apply the TSP cleaning solution to the cabinet or surface, allow it to sit for approximately two minutes. This will give the solution time to break down any grease and oils, and any bigger debris that may be on the surface. Once the solution sits for two minutes, you can scrub it with a stiff brush for a few moments, moving from the bottom to the top to avoid any streaking.
Once you’ve finished a small area, you need to thoroughly rinse the solution off. Use a sponge and warm water, and be certain that you change the rinse water frequently. It is imperative to remove as much of the cleaning solution as possible because it will continue to eat through paint, including the new paint that you’re planning to apply to the surface. The surface or cabinet then needs to be given adequate time to fully and completely dry prior to applying any new paint at all.
TSP cleaning solution can be applied using nearly any medium of your choice. A rag, sponge, mop, scrub brush, sprayer, or other method of application is completely up to you. The solution will work in an effective manner no matter how you decide to apply it. Most of the time, when it is being used to remove old paint from a surface, instead of using sandpaper, a stiff brush is used to scrub the TSP cleaner into the area, as it helps to lift the old paint, and the grease, oil, or stains in the paint as well.
However, working with TSP has some negative drawbacks to it, as well, and some of them are fairly serious. When you’re getting rid of any excess cleaning solution, you can’t just pour it out into the yard as you would old dishwater. It will kill any vegetation that you get it on, and it will also harm pets and children, so it must be disposed of properly. You’ll need to check you local hazardous material disposal regulations in order to figure out how to dispose of your excess solution.
You shouldn’t use it in your bath, or anywhere that you have ceramic tile, because it will etch the tile glaze, and also will destroy your grout. It is used by tile professionals to take dried grout off of tile, so it is very well known to break down grout. To be safe, if you aren’t a tile professional, don’t use it in your bathroom.
Any area that you aren’t planning to actively use the TSP cleaner on needs to be covered, either with a drop-cloth, or taped off. Even a very small amount of TSP on an unintentional surface is going to give you a really difficult clean up job. In order to prepare for the caustic nature of the chemical, just play it safe and cover or tape off everything you aren’t using the TSP to clean.
Make sure that the area is fully ventilated, with all doors and windows open to allow the fumes to escape. Be sure that the area is free of pets and children. Put your PPE on, including long sleeves, pants, eye protection, and gloves. Even a tiny amount of TSP cleaner getting on your skin or in your eyes is going to be painful and very irritating, and is more than likely going to require that you seek medical attention.
Although regulations have made TSP less popular today, it is still very effective at cleaning any foreign material from the area in preparation to paint, and also to remove old, peeling, flaking paint from the surface, which eliminates the need to perform any sanding prior to priming and painting. The time savings you’ll find from not having to sand, though, may very well be given back in the time that it will take to completely cover and tape off the remaining surfaces in the area that you’re working with the TSP solution in.