Ok, moneysavers. What about dishwasher detergent?

[disneysnowflake]

I have been really trying to save money.

We just replaced our old dishwasher with a new energy efficient Bosch brand dishwasher since our old one stopped working.

In my old dishwasher I was using those Cascade action packs. With this new dishwasher, it seems like it's too much detergent. It doesn't seem to rinse off very well. I read the instructions with the dishwasher. These same Cascade action packs were included as samples with my dishwasher.
I'm thinking of going back to either powder or gel types to control how much detergent I use.

What type of dishwasher detergent do you use?
Gel or powder?
Brand?
Do you follow the amount directed on the detergent box, or do you use less? If you use less then how much less?

It seems wasteful to buy those action packs for convenience when it's too much detergent, and every little bit of money saved helps.

Any suggestions?

 

[pigletto]

I tried everything under the sun. In the end the only thing that seems to work well for my dishwasher and actually get the dishes clean is Electrasol with Finish packs. They are pricey but there are always good coupons and I wait for sales and stock up.
I have seen so many things recommended here so I know you'll get some good answers. It just seems that this is the only thing my machine likes and I go tso sick of filmy glassware and utensils that I'm just happy something works.

 

[minnie1928]

I also use Finish tabs (I have a Bosch dishwasher too). They do a real good job. I also use vinegar as a rinse agent.

The thing I like about my Bosch is that I don't need to run to a regular load very often. If it's full of things like plates, cereal bowls, glasses, etc. but no pots/pans, then I can usually use the quick wash setting (about 30 mins) and it does just fine. I figure that helps save me some electricity costs.

 

[disneysnowflake]

Kelly, if you don't have pots and pans and used a quick wash feature, do you still use the full Finish tablet? Just curious.

I didn't know about the vinegar for the rinse agent. Wow, that's a huge moneysaver. Does it work the same?

 

[daughtersrus]

We have a Kenmore dishwasher. It wasn't top of the line but it cleans my dishes without me needing to prewash anything. We had Sears out for something minor. I asked the repairman about the soap since the dispenser cup is so large. He told me that we only need to fill it about 1/3. He said that the prepackage soap is too much and we're actually wasting a lot if we use them.

Maybe it's just for Sears but I haven't had any problems with my dishes (including oatmeal bowls that sit all day) coming clean. I use the powder soap from Aldi or whatever is on sale at Meijer.

 

[rock_doctor]

We actually use the powder from a dollar tree dollar store. It is a dollar a box and actually works just fine. Everything gets clean.

 

[twinboysmom]

I buy whatever I have a coupon for or what is on sale. Always powder. I have had poor luck with gel. I also don't use the prepackaged tabs. Too $$$$$$. I only use about 1/3 to 1/2 the amount of soap and use whatever rinse agent is cheapest. I have a midlevel whirlpool washer and this works well for me.

 

[puffkin]

I love the Finish Power Tabs. Those are the best thing I have ever used...but they are definitely pricey. I only get them when there is a good deal.

I usually just get whatever is on sale and I have a coupon for. Right now I am using the Up and Up brand from Target. I don't really notice much difference between that and any of the others that I rotate through (cascade, finish, store brands, etc). The Power Tabs are far superior though which is why I get excited when I find a deal on them.

 

[kidshop]

We actually use the powder from a dollar tree dollar store. It is a dollar a box and actually works just fine. Everything gets clean.

I just bought some of this a few weeks ago when I ran out of tabs and was too cheap to buy more. My dishwasher does not like gel, and I have used tabs forever. Well, I haven't noticed any difference since using the dollar store powder! It's great and I don't use very much in there.

I also put straight vinegar in the rinse dispenser, so I don't buy Jet Dry anymore either.

 

[Soben]

I use the Electrasol Tabs, but I break them in half. I buy them b/c I can usually get them cheaper. I think that Consumer Reports recommended the WalMart brand of powder. They didn't like the gels very much. I notice that with my Bosch I have to keep the rinse dispenser filled. On my old Maytag it didn't make a difference. And we don't have hard water, so I don't know why but when it is out the dishes do not come out clean. HTH

 

[FoundMyPrince]

I use vinegar in the rinse spot, too (rather than Jet Dry).

Also, when we bought our dishwasher last summer, we were told to only use one tablespoon of detergent (this was told by the installer and by the representative at Lowe's). We use a brand from Sam's (unsure of the name right now) and it seems to work just fine. Believe me, the dish detergent lasts a lot longer using only one tablespoon at a time!