Potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate
Definition
Potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate is a chelator that can be found in dishwasher detergent, bathroom cleaners and automotive degreasers. It alters the pH of a product to improve stability and functions as a chelator. The word chelator (pronounced "key-lay-tor") comes from the Greek word chele, or claw. Think of a chelator as a lobster claw that reaches out and grabs the minerals in soap scum or soils, to keep them from depositing on a surface. We use Potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate to remove mineral deposits that are caused by hard water. By binding to the deposit, it allows them to be rinsed away.