which dishwasher detergent is best?

sakelp · February 2011

What is your preferred dish washing detergent? We are having a lot of spotting, and sometimes there are some food particles left. What have you found to be the best?

srs5624 · February 2011

I use Cascade tabs. My state is on the list that has removed phosphate from dishwasher detergent, so ever since then I've had to add about 1/2 cup of white vinegar as well. I don't use Jetdry... just the Cascade and white vinegar.

Indiana is one of the states that removed the phosphates, so that's probably why you're getting the spotting. We had the same problem, but the vinegar clears it right up.

http://www.appliance.net/2010/states-ban-phosphate-laden-dishwasher-soap-1988

sierramist_03 · February 2011

I buy the liquid great value and finish too.

ring_pop · February 2011

I liked Cascade powder a lot. Right now I'm using Finish that I bought on sale and it sucks.

MNVegas · February 2011

I have an older dishwasher and find the Cascade CompletePacs work great. Prior to switching to these, I was using just whatever powder was on sale and had spotting on stainless and streaks on glasses.

brooketini · February 2011

I've always used the liquid Cascade and never had a problem.

cindyhow · February 2011

srs5624:

I use Cascade tabs. My state is on the list that has removed phosphate from dishwasher detergent, so ever since then I've had to add about 1/2 cup of white vinegar as well. I don't use Jetdry... just the Cascade and white vinegar.

Indiana is one of the states that removed the phosphates, so that's probably why you're getting the spotting. We had the same problem, but the vinegar clears it right up.

http://www.appliance.net/2010/states-ban-phosphate-laden-dishwasher-soap-1988

Now I now why we have been having problems with spotting !! Maryland is one of the states on the list.

Where do you pour the vinegar? In the spot where the jet dry would go or the detergent? (excuse the dumb question...)

srs5624 · February 2011

cindyhow:
srs5624:

I use Cascade tabs. My state is on the list that has removed phosphate from dishwasher detergent, so ever since then I've had to add about 1/2 cup of white vinegar as well. I don't use Jetdry... just the Cascade and white vinegar.

Indiana is one of the states that removed the phosphates, so that's probably why you're getting the spotting. We had the same problem, but the vinegar clears it right up.

http://www.appliance.net/2010/states-ban-phosphate-laden-dishwasher-soap-1988

Now I now why we have been having problems with spotting !! Maryland is one of the states on the list.

Where do you pour the vinegar? In the spot where the jet dry would go or the detergent? (excuse the dumb question...)

Not a dumb one at all... I just dump it in the bottom of the dishwasher.

I haven't had a single spot or weird white haze since I started adding the vinegar. And for a bonus, the vinegar deoderizes the dishwasher with every wash.

paularoberts · February 2011

First I live just north of Indy so we are neighbors Big Smile

Second, I use (in addition to the detergent) this powder called Lemi-Shine. It is at Walmart. It is a little pricey but amazing. We stopped using it for awhile and DH was so excited when he saw I had brought some home again. We have awful water which is probably close to yours. Here is a link to it b/c it is kind of small on the shelf and you might skip over it.

jinxyjane · February 2011

We use the Finish All-in-1 Gelpacs and we really like how they work in our dishwasher. We've also tried the Finish All-in-1 Powerball Tabs and like those too.

shammy79 · February 2011

paularoberts:

First I live just north of Indy so we are neighbors

Second, I use (in addition to the detergent) this powder called Lemi-Shine. It is at Walmart. It is a little pricey but amazing. We stopped using it for awhile and DH was so excited when he saw I had brought some home again. We have awful water which is probably close to yours. Here is a link to it b/c it is kind of small on the shelf and you might skip over it.

DItto to the LemiShine. We use it with Cascade powder. FYI, you can actually add the phosphate back to to your powder detergent. It's available at Lowe's Home Depot etc for about $4 a box. Google for directions.

srs5624 · February 2011

shammy79:

FYI, you can actually add the phosphate back to to your powder detergent. It's available at Lowe's Home Depot etc for about $4 a box. Google for directions.

Yeah, but the phosphates were removed to help the environment. Putting them back defies the point. When phosphorus gets into fresh water, it promotes algae growth. When the algae begins to die, it sucks the oxygen out of the water, killing off fish and other forms of aquatic life.

cherie82 · February 2011

Cascade complete packs for me!

blondie87 · February 2011

Cacade complete packs, but my MIL uses finish and loves it.

CTFandme · February 2011

srs5624:

shammy79:

FYI, you can actually add the phosphate back to to your powder detergent. It's available at Lowe's Home Depot etc for about $4 a box. Google for directions.

Yeah, but the phosphates were removed to help the environment. Putting them back defies the point. When phosphorus gets into fresh water, it promotes algae growth. When the algae begins to die, it sucks the oxygen out of the water, killing off fish and other forms of aquatic life.

wait, I'm confused. Maybe I'm reading this wrong. If phosphorus promotes algae growth and algae is good, than why would we take it out?

shammy79 · February 2011

CTFandme:
srs5624:

shammy79:

FYI, you can actually add the phosphate back to to your powder detergent. It's available at Lowe's Home Depot etc for about $4 a box. Google for directions.

Yeah, but the phosphates were removed to help the environment. Putting them back defies the point. When phosphorus gets into fresh water, it promotes algae growth. When the algae begins to die, it sucks the oxygen out of the water, killing off fish and other forms of aquatic life.

wait, I'm confused. Maybe I'm reading this wrong. If phosphorus promotes algae growth and algae is good, than why would we take it out?

The ban is only on residential products, not commercial products, so sewage treatment plants and private septic systems are still required to treat waste water to acceptable levels.

kmoses10 · February 2011

srs5624:

shammy79:

FYI, you can actually add the phosphate back to to your powder detergent. It's available at Lowe's Home Depot etc for about $4 a box. Google for directions.

Yeah, but the phosphates were removed to help the environment. Putting them back defies the point. When phosphorus gets into fresh water, it promotes algae growth. When the algae begins to die, it sucks the oxygen out of the water, killing off fish and other forms of aquatic life.

The lemonshine that everyone is talking about is phosphate free.

MontereyBride · February 2011

CTFandme:
srs5624:

shammy79:

FYI, you can actually add the phosphate back to to your powder detergent. It's available at Lowe's Home Depot etc for about $4 a box. Google for directions.

Yeah, but the phosphates were removed to help the environment. Putting them back defies the point. When phosphorus gets into fresh water, it promotes algae growth. When the algae begins to die, it sucks the oxygen out of the water, killing off fish and other forms of aquatic life.

wait, I'm confused. Maybe I'm reading this wrong. If phosphorus promotes algae growth and algae is good, than why would we take it out?

Google red tide and brown tide for more info

NorticPrincess · February 2011

srs5624:
cindyhow:
srs5624:

I use Cascade tabs. My state is on the list that has removed phosphate from dishwasher detergent, so ever since then I've had to add about 1/2 cup of white vinegar as well. I don't use Jetdry... just the Cascade and white vinegar.

Indiana is one of the states that removed the phosphates, so that's probably why you're getting the spotting. We had the same problem, but the vinegar clears it right up.

http://www.appliance.net/2010/states-ban-phosphate-laden-dishwasher-soap-1988

Now I now why we have been having problems with spotting !! Maryland is one of the states on the list.

Where do you pour the vinegar? In the spot where the jet dry would go or the detergent? (excuse the dumb question...)

Not a dumb one at all... I just dump it in the bottom of the dishwasher.

I haven't had a single spot or weird white haze since I started adding the vinegar. And for a bonus, the vinegar deoderizes the dishwasher with every wash.

Thank you - I really thought I was going crazy and had gone through all of the detergent brands trying to find one that wasn't leaving white stuff all of the the dishes. I was almost ready to get the Rainsoft guy to come back even though I hate the water softener.

FooFoo Shnickens · February 2011

I love method's dishwasher tabs. You can find them at Target. They really work the best for me out of everything I've tried - even when I had my old junky dishwasher.

which dishwasher detergent is best?

Re: which dishwasher detergent is best?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards