A question for those who use their vintage dishwashers daily.

[launderess]

Well It Took Awhile

But some enterprising persons are now flogging *phosphate* containing DW detergent on fleaBay.

Have more than enough Cascade stashed to last several years. Hopefully by that time performance of the phosphate free dw detergents will have been sorted out.

One has to wonder if the reduction of water/energy use is complicating things. Today's dishwashers use so little water per cycle,and or have fewer of them for say "normal" setting, that it is any wonder anything is coming out clean.

 

[appnut]

I have a box of regular Cascade left that I'm working on.  It has a 5 or 6% phsphorous rating, lower thn the Casscade Complete.  I still notice a performance difference and am having to use Pots & Pans with high temp option for the lesser Cascade to attempt what Complete used to do and it still leave something to be desired. 

 

[mrcleanjeans]

Consider trying the non-phosphate Finish powder. Here, in our hard water, it has even outperformed Cascade Complete phosphated. I am STILL surprised, and I love phosphates, I'd marry them if I could! Everything is ALOT shinier! And, no,the Cascade wasn't too old,lol!

 

[appnut]

David, thanks.  That's what I plan on doing.  I just can't see going out and buying more detergent when I still have the big box of powder and 2 tubs of 96 count Cascade Complete packs.  But if it gets really disappointing, I'll go get the Finish powder as well as the Quantum tabs and use those for the heaviest soil. 

 

[mrcleanjeans]

Bob, I've tried Quantum phosphated and non phoshated and they sucked big time. The powder works MUCH better!