Best Dishwasher Detergent...?

[AKL_Megs]

I've been TRYING to use up this bottle of Cascade Complete gel. It's TERRIBLE, but all of a sudden... Does dishwasher detergent go bad?

Anyways, it seems that "stuff" wants to stick to silverwear. Butter/cream cheese on knives and "specks" of food on forks and spoons. That shouldn't be happening. It never happened before!

So, what dishwasher detergent product cleans the best?

 

[Nancyg56]

I cannot use any of the gels. I have hard water and all of them have bleach. I use teh dish tabs ad am much happier. I was using all kinds of gels to find one that worked because teh dishwasher man told me the tabs are not good for the machine. I had dirty silver, streaky glasses,, plates that were not clean and an orange dish basket. I have had good luck with all the name brand tabs.

 

[Disney Doll]

I have had good luck with Finish.

Does your dishwasher have a strainer or trap that needs to be cleaned ot. take out the bottom rack and look around down there...you might find it. And you'll be at what's in there.

 

[AKL_Megs]

I have had good luck with Finish.

Does your dishwasher have a strainer or trap that needs to be cleaned ot. take out the bottom rack and look around down there...you might find it. And you'll be at what's in there.

I'm afraid to look!!! Off to investigate...

 

[TTFN]

Did it start with a new bottle, or in the middle of an old one? Dishwasher detergents have been reformulated...the phosphates have been removed...and they just don't clean very well anymore. I hate it! If it's a new bottle, that could be the problem.

 

[SaraJayne]

I use Cascade Complete Tablets, and I've been very happy with them.

ETA: Do you have a dispenser for a rinsing agent? It might need to be filled.

 

[BKMETV]

I saw one of those Consumer Reports things a couple of years ago and they said hands down powder cleans better than gel/liquid and for the $ the best buy was the powder from Walmart...that said I use Cascade powder because the nearest Walmart is an hours away. They also said the tablet weren't as good because most dishwashers have two dispensers one for the pre-wash and one for the actual wash...tablets won't do both unless you use two, which most people don't.

 

[Angelhalo]

We use Finish tablets with Jet Dry ball from Sam's Club, but I'm sure you can get them at the regular store too. They work great!

Our dishwasher only has one compartment, not two. Our tablet does a great job. Better than anything we've ever used before. The worst thing I have ever used is a gel. Gels are horrible.

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=134874&navAction=push

 

[Rumpus]

I could use gel with my old Kenmore dishwasher and it was effective. I was without a dishwasher until September, when I had a Bosch installed. I used gel detergent, was unhappy with the results and call Bosch. They advised me to use powder, preferably, "Finish". There was some improvement but I found residue on my glasses, silverware, interior of the dishwasher, etc. Finally, about a month ago I called Bosch. I told them that I was very unhappy with the dishwasher. They sent out a repairman who inspected the unit and gave me a notification. Apparently 17 states set a limit on the amount of phosphates that could be present in dish detergents effective July 2010. If you have any hard water at all, the low phosphates create a residue. My glasses looked terrible. The print out was from GE. They said that dishwasher detergent companies are 'attempting to resolve" the problem but in the meantime order a "citric acid kit" from GE and use in a couple of times a year. Well that is fine for the dishwasher but doesn't help the dishes. I asked about a citric acid additive here on the Dis right after that. Someone recommended Lemi-Shine, available at Walmart. The stuff is a miracle. Its only $3.88 and you can add it to the dispenser or throw it in the bottom of the dishwasher. I cleaned not only the dishwasher but the residue that was on everything else. This is non toxic....probably like Tang.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I like the Finish tablets. I think Electrasol makes them.

 

[of the seas]

I like the Finish tablets. I think Electrasol makes them.

We like those, too. They often have coupons for a couple bucks off in the Sunday paper every now and then. Walgreens also gives register rewards some weeks, too.

 

[Piecey]

Did it start with a new bottle, or in the middle of an old one? Dishwasher detergents have been reformulated...the phosphates have been removed...and they just don't clean very well anymore. I hate it! If it's a new bottle, that could be the problem.

This.

I bought a pretty large supply of dishwasher tablets with coupons. When I ran out, I went and bought a box of Cascade. Yep, it's crap! I saw another thread on the budget board about this new formula without phosphates and it seems a ton of people are having the same issues I was. I read about a lady who bought her own bottle of phosphates and adds it. I've thought about doing that. Stuff is just not getting clean like it should!

 

[Rumpus]

This.

I bought a pretty large supply of dishwasher tablets with coupons. When I ran out, I went and bought a box of Cascade. Yep, it's crap! I saw another thread on the budget board about this new formula without phosphates and it seems a ton of people are having the same issues I was. I read about a lady who bought her own bottle of phosphates and adds it. I've thought about doing that. Stuff is just not getting clean like it should!

Try Lemi Shine from Walmart. Its safe, cheap and works beautifully.

 

[AKL_Megs]

Thanks everyone!

The trap was totally clean. I COULD use some Jet Dry. I think I will pick some up tomorrow, along with the tabs, I found a coupon. I also only have one place for cleaner, not two.

 

[focusondisney]

I used to use Cascade, too. Noticed sometime last spring that things were not getting clean. Didn't realize there was a formula change. I have been using Finish Quantum tablets with Powerball. I'm really happy with it. It's just DH & I . I work 12 hr shifts 2 days a week & those days I eat at work, not at home. So sometimes it's 2 or 3 days til I have enough to run the dishwasher. Everything still gets clean.

 

[dislaney]

We switched from Cascade to Finish when we got our new dishwasher. I've been much happier with the Finish!

 

[Mrs. Darcy]

Is the Lemi-Shine used as the detergent or is it something extra to add?

 

[Rumpus]

Is the Lemi-Shine used as the detergent or is it something extra to add?

You add it to your detergent. If you can fit it into the dispenser, just throw some in the dishwasher loose.