Mystery Stain Solved with Fertilizer Chemistry!

  • Thread starter Thread starter SGKent
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Chemistry Mystery
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the unexpected staining of laundry caused by a fertilizer mixture containing Ammonium Sulfate, Potassium Sulfate, Superphosphate, Manganese Sulfate, and Boric Acid. After applying bleach, the shirt turned dark brown while the rest of the laundry became beige. The stain was identified as manganese-related, and the application of Hydrogen Peroxide effectively removed it by converting manganese dioxide back to a soluble form. This highlights the chemical interactions between fertilizers and common laundry products.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of fertilizer chemistry, specifically Ammonium Sulfate and Manganese Sulfate.
  • Knowledge of chemical reactions involving bleach (sodium hypochlorite) and Hydrogen Peroxide.
  • Familiarity with the properties of manganese and its oxidation states.
  • Basic laundry care techniques and stain removal methods.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the chemical properties and reactions of Manganese Dioxide (MnO2).
  • Learn about the effects of Hydrogen Peroxide on various stains and materials.
  • Explore the interactions between fertilizers and household cleaning agents.
  • Investigate advanced stain removal techniques for organic and inorganic stains.
USEFUL FOR

Gardeners, chemists, laundry professionals, and anyone interested in the chemical interactions of fertilizers and cleaning products.

SGKent
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
I mixed some fertilizer based on a soil test. The chemistry contained Ammonium Sulfate prills (NH4)2SO4, Potassium Sulfate prills K2SO4, Superphosphate CaH4P2O8, trace of Manganese Sulfate MNS04, and trace of Boric Acid H3BO3.

I mixed it and wiped my hands on the front of a white tee shirt. It remained white. When washed today with tide and bleach NaClO, the front of the shirt turned dark brown and the rest of the sizeable laundry load, all whites, towels etc., turned a deep beige. We were unable to remove the stain which was more like a dye. finally guessing that the stain was some form of manganese I added some lemon juice to about the 4th or 5th try to get rid of the stain. Then added some Hydrogen Peroxide H2O2. The stain instantly dissappeared as soon as the H2O2 hit it.

A rewash with tide and a little bleach it did not come back. Any ideas what might have been the reaction that turned the whole load beige, reddish brown. There was no iron listed as an ingredient of any of the minerals used.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Chemistry news on Phys.org
THANK YOU
 

Thread 'Gold hydride - what is the significance?'

I came.across a headline and read some of the article, so I was curious. Scientists discover that gold is a 'reactive metal' by accidentally creating a new material in the lab https://www.earth.com/news/discovery-that-gold-is-reactive-metal-by-creating-gold-hydride-in-lab-experiment/ From SLAC - A SLAC team unexpectedly formed gold hydride in an experiment that could pave the way for studying materials under extreme conditions like those found inside certain planets and stars undergoing...
View full post »