Editing Sodium triphosphate (section)

===Detergents===
The majority of STPP is consumed as a component of commercial [[detergent]]s. It serves as a "builder", industrial jargon for a water softener. In hard water (water that contains high concentrations of Mg<sup>2+</sup> and Ca<sup>2+</sup>), detergents are deactivated. Being a highly charged [[chelating agent]], TPP<sup>5−</sup> binds to [[dications]] tightly and prevents them from interfering with the sulfonate detergent.<ref name=Ullmann>{{cite book |doi=10.1002/14356007.a19_465.pub3 |chapter=Phosphoric Acid and Phosphates |title=Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry |year=2008 |last1=Schrödter |first1=Klaus |last2=Bettermann |first2=Gerhard |last3=Staffel |first3=Thomas |last4=Wahl |first4=Friedrich |last5=Klein |first5=Thomas |last6=Hofmann |first6=Thomas |isbn=978-3527306732 |s2cid=94458523 }}</ref>