Best dishwasher detergent/ additives for hard water?

[jerrod6]

I guess Cascade Complete Pacs are ok as long as you don't mind eating off of dishes  and drinking water from glasses smelling like a candy cane mixed with too much honey, then mixed with brown sugar, then mixed with vanilla then  mixed with insecticide then mixed with cheap smelling perfume. I tried these  ONE time and sent the remaining pacs to the trash. They clean but oh the smell.... Just can't stand my dishes smelling like this. 

 

[dustin92]

That is my opinion exactly of cascade action pacs. I bought the Gain scent, it was horribly strong.

 

[volsboy1]

Thanks Eugene I appreciate that.I have heard of nothing but nightmares about L.G. but mine is a great dishwasher and I put it

through hell.It is worlds better than my 2010 G.E. Monogram that cost a ton and can clean and hold alot more.I use mine  like

a old Maytag Reverse Rack.You get total water coverage with pots up there and if yours is like mine it increases power when it switches to the top wash arms.I still have to use my Bubble Bandit detergent though that stuff works killer no white film or anything and that wonderful soft-clean that I love so much.I poured in a pint of dry cat food in that machine one time and filled the main cup and after alot of grinding at first on normal wash the dishes were spotless at the end..Yes guys

I know I am crazy but you

only live once...

 

[qsd-dan]

Bubble Bandit

Order came in and I finally conjured up enough dishes to run a heavy load. WOW, this detergent works FANTASTIC!

The scent is a bit strong (could even smell it during the wash cycles), but it isn't annoying.....at least yet. No powdery residue left over, like the Institutional Cascade was leaving behind. I'm curious to see if it'll descale the heating element with long term use.

For those with a large family and a tight budget, it might be a bit expensive, but like everything in life, you get what you pay for. It claims that there's no need for a rinse aid, but I'm not quite sure I buy that just yet. I still had juuuuuuust a hint of streaking on a couple of silverware pieces, but it could also be descaling the tub and innards. All glass items were completely streak free.

I highly recommend this detergent for those who have anything but soft water.

 

[volsboy1]

I had a feeling you would like it

.I save money in the long run when I added it up.I buy the box with 5 bags that is 19 pounds for 45 bucks no tax and free shipping.The only store bought brand that works kinda is Finnish Quantum and I had to use two each time one for the prewash and one for the main wash and that adds up quick..

 

[whirlykenmore78]

Institutional Cascade

Works beautifully in hard or soft water just adjust the amount used based on the machine and water hardness.  I have even used it in a POS Hotpoint and 25 grain water with sparkling results.  Add it to a good DW with soft water and you better wear sunglasses to unload the glassware. 

WK78

 

[frigilux]

Well, I just did something I've never done before: Sniffed dishes as they came out on the dishwasher. Jerrod and Dustin both noted their disdain for Cascade Complete Pacs due to the residual scent left on dishes and glassware. While I have no plastic tableware, I do use a lot of those plastic Zip-Loc food storage containers (with the blue lids). I ran a load using the Normal Cycle (no options). I smelled nothing on the dishes or the plastic food containers at the end of the cycle.

Next, I went to Cascade's website and looked at various products, as well as user reviews. While most reviews raved about the pacs' cleaning abilities, there were quite a number which lodged the same complaint Jerrod and Dustin had: Residual smells on dishes that affected the taste of food.

Two of the products (one Lavender-scented and one Dustin mentioned with Gain) touted their strong scents in the ad copy.

So, while I noticed no scent left on my dish load, plastics included, there are obviously people who have had the same experience as Jerrod and Dustin. And, obviously, Cascade makes some of their products so strong-scently that it will get your dinner guests talking about it. Yikes!

Here's what Cascade has to say about the Lavender-scented pacs:

 

[dustin92]

Well, somebody shoot me in the head now. I bought another variety of cascade tabs. We needed dishwasher detergent and I couldnt rub enough pennies together to order bubble bandit. I havent run a load yet, but I will be shortly. I was trying to decide between Cascade complete action pacs and Method's "Smarty Dish" tablets. I have never tried those before. I ended up with the complete action pacs in the lemon scent.

 

[dustin92]

I ran a load, no challenging stuck on food, but I was impressed. The scent was not nearly as strong as the gain version. (most of the gain tabs did a great job of cleaning the garbage disposal after a leak under the kitchen sink caused them to become soggy) I didnt use any lemishine, and the glasses came out streak free. I will keep using them if the performance stays good.

 

[rayjay]

Dishwasher Detergent Scents

Whatever happened to the nice clean scents from years ago?
Like Cascade....the slight scent of chlorine, Finish, etc??

The dischwasher always smelled clean, the dishes came out clean too.

There are way too many flowery stinky disgusting scents in dishwasher, laundry detergents and fabric softners. Manufacturers should concentrate more on the cleaning ability not the discgusting scents they are producing.

 

[rayjay]

Bubble Bandit

Wes....Thanks so much for the information. I just ordered the 2 bags. The second bag is half off.

I have mechanically softened water and an Electrolux dishwasher. I use Finish Quantum which is about the best for no phosphate detergent. Everthing comes out shining and no streaks, but there should be no excuse for peanut butter being stuck to a spoon or knife. (lol)

BTW: What is the scent like?

Thank You

Ray

 

[rayjay]

Bubble Bandit Update

Hi.

I talked to a genleman at Bubble Bandit. They are coming out next with a Rinse Agent with Phosphates.

And is everyone ready for this?????????

They are working on a Laundry Detergent with Phosphates.

The company has been in business since January of this year. Through word of mouth their product has been flying out the door. They have not received any returns of the Dishwashing detergent. They have a lot of Commercial and also Residential users.

If you have soft water can use it too. 1 TBSLP. in Pre Wash cup and 2 TBLSP or less in Main cup.

I should receive my shipment next week.

I will keep you posted.

 

[volsboy1]

Well the sent does not bother me because I can't smell it much at all.I can smell it when I open the bag up but that is about it.

It does not bother me at all though when I do.I can't stand to sweet of smells and I have had some Cascade which was terrible

about gaged me.You have nothing to worry about it is very mild and to me smells like Dishwasher Detergents supposed to and it

 works like just like you remember also with that wonderful soft-clean feel..

 

[rayjay]

Bubble Bandit

Hi Wes.

Thanks so much for your information. When I spoke with Phil from the company he said is has a citrus smell. That is fine.
I jucat cannot stand all the stinky scents of all the dish detergents, laundry dishwasher and fabric softners. For hand washing dishes I like Palmolive green and Ivory. That is about it.