Best dishwasher detergent?

[mrspaha]

Over the years, it seemed to me that the powdered detergents always worked better for me. For the last few years, I always bought the Aldi brand, and I was very happy with it.

Since they now only have the gel, I've been using that, and it just doesn't seem to work as well. Since we don't always have a full load every day, the dirty dishes do sometimes sit in the dishwasher for a few days, and it seems like some things just don't get clean -- like "chapstick" marks around the rims of glasses, or if there's plates that had eggs on them or something. I find myself almost washing the dishes by hand before I even put them in the dishwasher now.

I did a search, and found a fairly recent thread on the community board about white film in the dishwasher because of the phosphates being eliminated, so maybe this is the reason I'm noticing a change.

I went to Walmart the other day, and noticed that most of the dishwasher soaps are the gels or these power ball things or something, and some of them seemed pretty expensive.

So, I was wondering what others use, and are there any good generics out there?

 

[Mom_Rides]

I just buy the cheap store brand stuff. After we bought our dishwasher DH did research via Consumer Reports about dishwasher detergent and the Walmart brand rated in the top. I don't care for the power ball or gel packs or ones like that either. I certainly hope they aren't eliminating the powder!

 

[MickeyManiac]

I use the Sam's club brand powder and sometimes the Electrosol tabs (because I got a huge container for free). They both work fine but neither of them work without a 1/2 cup or so of vinegar. I nearly replaced my 2 year old dishwasher because of the white powdery film on every load. The vinegar has completely solved the problem for us. I just pour it in the bottom before I start the load.

 

[stich1fan]

We always buy the cascade gel tabs, they work great. We do sometimes get a white film which I used lemon shine for, but it is really expensive. I am now using vinegar instead. This was recommended by a diser and it works great.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

I always buy the store brands. I buy the store brand jet dry as well. No problems ever.

 

[mrspaha]

Thanks for the replies... I went to Walmart a few days ago and didn't see where they had generic powder. I remember using their brand some years ago before I started going to Aldis all the time. So I assumed they stopped making the powder too.

What stores have a generic powder? I just seem to have it in my head that the powders work better than the gels.

 

[FINFAN]

I use the Sam's club brand powder and sometimes the Electrosol tabs (because I got a huge container for free). They both work fine but neither of them work without a 1/2 cup or so of vinegar. I nearly replaced my 2 year old dishwasher because of the white powdery film on every load. The vinegar has completely solved the problem for us. I just pour it in the bottom before I start the load.

pour it (vinegar) in the bottom of the dishwashing machine itself, like on the floor of it...or in the bottom of the dispenser that you would pour the powder into?

 

[Judique]

We always buy the cascade gel tabs, they work great. We do sometimes get a white film which I used lemon shine for, but it is really expensive. I am now using vinegar instead. This was recommended by a diser and it works great.

We use the cascade paks as well. I've never seen any white film - yet. if we do, we'll go with the vinegar. Vinegar seems to work wonders just about anywhere.

 

[MickeyManiac]

pour it (vinegar) in the bottom of the dishwashing machine itself, like on the floor of it...or in the bottom of the dispenser that you would pour the powder into?

Sorry- I pour it in the bottom (floor) under the bottom rack. I usually just grab a cup that is waiting to be washed, fill it about half way, and pour it in the bottom. The vinegar looks like it all drains away, but it must stay in the system during the wash because I can't believe the difference. Another possiblity is it's just keeping all the hard water out of the pipes and hoses so it doesn't redeposit on the dishes.

 

[FINFAN]

Going ot try this on my next load, thanks...my dishes seem far less than clean lately too...eeeew

 

[dwonderz]

Great tips...

We just ran out and had to spend a good amount of $$ on some of this stuff!

Will just pick it up next time we're at Wally's!

 

[kelcoppens]

We use the cascade paks as well. I've never seen any white film - yet. if we do, we'll go with the vinegar. Vinegar seems to work wonders just about anywhere.

We've used them for years and never seen white film either

 

[caribear]

Thanks for posting the tip about the vinegar! I cannot stand my dishwasher....there always seems to be residue left....not white powder, but food. Now I wash all my dishes by hand and just use the dishwasher to basically re-wash/sanitize the dishes. Whenever my DH loads some items he never rinses them off well enough....so I have to take everything back out and re-rinse/wash them. What a pain! I will try the vinegar though and see how it works. I have been using Publix lemon scent gel detergent and Jet Dry and it seems to work the best for me.

 

[Donna M]

I went to Walmart a few days ago and didn't see where they had generic powder. I remember using their brand some years ago before I started going to Aldis all the time. So I assumed they stopped making the powder too.

.

Just bought some at Walmart last week. Their brand is now in a silver box, called Great Value. It is working as well as it always has. When I have eggs, I might let them soak in the sink alittle before putting them in the machine. We always soak pots.

 

[Styx Fan]

I use Target Up and Up brand, or Kroger or Meijer store brands. All powder and no problems.

 

[tlh0726]

I switched brands due to having a coupon and the item being on sale (sunlight gel)
BIG MISTAKE
Within a few loads I starting having brown looking stains on the interior of the dishwasher.
Anyone have any clue as to what I should use to try to remove them.

 

[scrapquitler]

I use the individual tablets. Usually I buy the Electrosol brand ones, but sometimes I buy the cascade gel pack ones. I like them because if anyone else in my house runs the dishwasher, they know that they just throw one of those in the dishwasher, its all pre-measured and DH doesn't use too much detergent anymore.