Dishwasher detergent that won't leave a residue?

digirain

Hello! I'm new to this board, but we're having a problem with our dishwasher, so I hope you can help!

We recently moved into a new apartment and the dishwasher is older (1990). At my last apartment "Cascade ActionPacs" were the best I found that didn't leave a residue, but here they leave a white powdery residue over everything. We've tried adding an extra rinse cycle, but it doesn't seem to help. We don't overload it, we rinse dishes off - any suggestions for another dishwasher detergent?

 Otherwise we're just going to experiment - but they come in such giant containers, I'd rather cut down on some of the guesswork. Thanks!

sierramist_03

Crash Into Me:

Cascade and other brands have changed their formulas to leave out phosphates which apparently prevented the powdery residue issue.  I now add 1/4 cup or so of vinegar to the bottom of the dishwasher before I start it.  Works like a charm every time and even got the buildup off the dishes.  I have black dishes, so the white residue really stood out.

I buy vinegar by the jug at the grocery store and keep it under the kitchen sink.

I agree this is what I do too. I tried the jet dry stuff too and it helped.

gbtc01

I switched from Cascade powder to Finish gel packs and we have had no issues. One nice thing too, we no longer need to run the dishwasher on the heavy cycle. The dishes are getting cleaner faster than they did with the powder.

Vinegar worked somewhat for us but it still wasn't enough to completely get rid of the residue.

We also have really low water pressure so that does contribute to some of our issues too.

Arielle143Luke

I think they are pretty much all leaving the residue now because I heard somewhere that they took the phosphates out of all the detergents here.  I use something my mom orders for me through a company called Melaleuca.  Not sure of the cost but it's called Diamond Brite and it's the best I've found yet...No residue and you use a very small amount in the dispenser cups. 

curlylocks3

Ditto about the vinegar.  I probably use more than 1/4 cup but I don't really measure it.

doeie04

I know this thread is kind of old, but I wanted to say that if you are still having issues with the residue, try putting one pack in the closed compartment and nothing in the open one. We did this, on a normal cycle and it worked great!