Cascade Complete Actionpacs horrible!!

[mark_wpduet]

Ran out of finish Powerball and all Costco had in stock other than Kirkland was Cascade complete fresh scent. It's literally been over 3 years since I've had to buy dishwasher detergent so I figured the phosphate free must have improved enough so I went ahead and bought the Cascade actionpacs. They clean fine, the pod dissolved but when the dishwasher was done, everything inside smelled like someone spilled a bottle of perfume or whatever the fresh scent smell was. I couldn't believe how strong it was. Inside of glasses were covered in the smell of the actionpac. There was no residue on the dishes.....It was a winner as far as cleaning but the smell does not dissipate. It remains in the dishes days later even though they look clean. I went over the Amazon to see if any reviewers had the same problem and there were a lot that said it leaves dishes tasting like soap and it freaking does! I'm taking this back to Costco and hopefully they have Powerball.

 

[mattl]

I've been alternating between Finish Max and Cascade Platinum.  Had a decent supply of both, was running low and opted for the Cascade, it just seems to have a better result for me.  I've not noticed and lingering smell of any kind.  Glad Costco has a great return policy, hope you get something that does not have a lingering smell.

 

[mrsalvo]

Know exactly what you are talking about!! I can't stand that smell either. I'm using Cascade Platinum, it really does do the best job in my dishwasher, Whirlpool built KA. Been hand washing more dishes lately, as I get impatient with how long it takes the dishwasher to run through the cycle, plus I don't have to go back and put them up. I'll use it if I have a lot.
What I can't stand either is the Cascade Dishwasher Cleaner, smells awful, like a strong under arm deodorant. I use plain vinegar about once a month to dissipate nasty odors and leave the door cracked.
I miss my old dishwasher!!!!

Barry

 

[mark_wpduet]

I've heard platinum is great

and I told myself if ever I'm disappointed by Finish Powerball, I'll switch to platinum - but I've never been disappointed with Powerball. I can't believe Cascade gives them such a strong scent. I used to LOVE Cascade back in the day. None of their products were bad. These actionpacs would have been perfect if ONLY it weren't for the lingering smell that makes you feel like you're eating part of the actionpac when you're using a dish.

 

[toploader55]

10 lbs. of Cascade Complete Powder at BJs for $11 bucks and change.

Use it in the Kenwhirl, Reverse Rack, and the KitchenAid.

Always Clean Dishes... Always No Scent. Plus you can use it in your washer for White Laundry Too.

Have wondered once the plastic dissolves... does it cling to the Glasses, Dishes and Flatware ?

Where does it go ? Powder in, Dissolves, Powder Out and down the drain. Rinse Rinse and done. ; )

 

[arbilab]

Lingering scent in a dishwasher detergent??  What were they thinking?  Oh/ugh, channeling P&G marketing:

 

First thing, fill the shelves.  Fill the whole aisle.  Phil Spector had a Wall of Sound, P&G has a Wall of Soap.  Next, the lingering-scent experiment worked so now let's make FLAVORS.  Drat, missed Turkey and Pumpkin Pie; next year. 

 

WHOA!  I got it! For xmas, Manger Scene!  Smells like hay and donkey.

 

[combo52]

Cascade Powdered DW Detergent

Reply #5, Hi Eddie, Cascade powder works great if you have soft water, here in the DC area with water hardness in the 6-10 gain level it leaves a lot of mineral build-up on dishes and inside the machine and ends up damaging the DW.

 

The few people in our area with a water softener can use it with very good results.

 

This same problem with naturally soft water throws off CRs tests of washers, DWs and detergents for both because they test all of the above in fairly soft water in New York. It is one of the reasons that CRs thinks you can get clean laundry with 70F water.

 

Whenever anyone posts results about different detergents, DW performance etc it would be very helpful to everyone to mention your local water conditions, Thanks

 

John L.

 

[rolls_rapide]

Fragrance clinging to dishes

I noticed it too with P&G's 'Fairy' pacs. Glassware, crockery, and plastics in particular retain the smell/taste of the detergent.

Even the Fairy rinse-aid smells quite strong.

About a fortnight ago, I had allowed the rinse-aid dispenser (Fairy) to run down to virtually empty. I refilled it with bog-standard Finish rinse-aid. I was actually surprised at the lack of perfume issuing forth from the machine. And mugs smell and taste neutral, so that clearly says something.

Dishware shouldn't have perfumes attached.

 

[ozzie908]

@rolls_rapide

I have used Fairy complete for some time and have yet to find anything that smelt of the detergent, I don't however use Fairy rinse aid I tend to buy it from Aldi or Lidl have used Finish rinse aid but no better than the others. The DW smells pleasant enough when its finished I have Finish powerball tabs as well for oven racks etc and everything comes out spot on !

Austin

 

[toploader55]

Hi John.

We have fairly Hard Water here on the Cape yet the powder yields stellar results. I, like you do not use any drying agent. Then again, I have 140-150 degree water out of the tap so perhaps that might fall into the equation.

I will look into exactly what the water hardness is to be more specific.

Best wishes, Eddie

 

[kate1]

I used the Cascade Platinum action pacs at my last house, it had a water softener and through experimenting those gave me the best results. In my current house we have hard water and they were completely ineffectual here. I have to use Finish Poweball max 3-in-1s here and the dishwasher is so terrible even those barely work. I never noticed a lingering scent on my dishes but the smell in the container was overpowering with cascade.

 

[eurekastar]

I use Walmart Powder and add a tablespoon of STPP into the main wash.  Everything comes out sparkling clean in spite of our very hard water!  I also has a very mild scent. 

 

[washman]

i've had good results with the 16x version

No lingering scent however I do a hefty dose of 5% vinegar in the rinse.  Frigidaire recommends the Finish powerball but I have not had as good cleaning results and they tend to foam up a lot in my DW

 

I am not precisely sure of the hardness of my water but it is somewhat hard.

 

[yogitunes]

water conditions is probably more at the cause than the product itself...

dishwasher detergent, as well as laundry....many will complain of the scent left behind by these products....I wish I could get it to linger, as some claim, for weeks on end...

on city water with 3-4 grains of hardness.....I can't get one scent to stay in my laundry....most times if I hang laundry out there may be the slightest amount, but if it goes through the dryer, nothing is left....

unfortunately some people have to find a product that works for their conditions...

 

[iowabear]

I recently bought a small carton these 12X because there was a good deal on them at my local store.  I usually buy the Platinum 15X or 16X.

 

I think the 12X ones cleaned just as well and didn't notice any difference in scent.  Our water is moderately hard here, 6 to 8 grains per gallon.  I always use the "pots and pans" cycle which does two rinses.  I don't use rinse aid of any kind.

 

I usually notice lingering scents and do not care for them.  I suppose P&G research shows that if people notice a strong scent while the dishwasher is running or right after the door is opened it contributes to the perception that the detergent is "working" and the dishes are clean.

 

[lakewebsterkid]

Dishwasher detergent scent

I never cared for it either. I never understood why people like the Cascade with Gain either. Yuck. The new Finish Quantum reeks in comparison to the old ones. It is very strong and sharp smelling. The older ones were perfect. The fresh scent Cascade isn’t too bad, but is still strong. We have only used these pacs in the Bosch and there is no residue whatsoever. I do use STPP to prevent buildup and increase cleaning.

 

[leononmaui]

I have soft water. I have only used Cascade for years. I have gone thru the powders,then gels, now packs. I loved the Platinum packs. One day at Costco I bought the Kirkland brand of dishwasher packs. After only 1 wash the interior of the machine was caked in white powder. Took them back. Costco does have a great return policy. I needed to buy a new dishwasher. I bought the top of the line Bosch 800 series. It's the best dishwasher I ever had. They recommended Finish.
I was sceptical, but used the samples that came with the machine. I was amazed at how much cleaner and shinier everything was. I do not prewash any dish or glass or pan, yet they all came out perfect with only one Finish Quantum pod. I will never go back to Cascade again. Oh, I get no smell in the machine or what was washed. Love the new machines without a heating element. You can put plastic on the bottom rack now without worry of warping.

 

[gansky1]

Have used Cascade Complete powder, mixed with 15-18% STPP in a plastic jug for many years. I recently bought a box of Costco KS packets and have been surprised at the results. I have mechanically softened water which gives them a huge head-start, but they perform great.

 

[mark_wpduet]

Costco

took back the actionpacs - no problem. I now have a huge container of finish powerball! I'm happy

My water conditions are moderately hard and I don't have a water softener. I've always had great success with finish powerball and finish rinse aid. I always add a splash of liquid bleach to the door at the start of the wash, which is mostly washed away before the powerball pops out for main wash. Keeps the machine cleaner and smelling better.

Again , I had zero problems with the cleaning of the actionpac. There was no white film or anything that resembled residue on anything...plastics, glasses, dishes, etc. But it was that overpowering smell left on everything. It would make sense if the pac did not dissolve all the way... but it was completely gone...no where to be found. If only they would get rid of that smell I could totally use the pacs. The Fresh scent isn't horrible smelling it's just not a smell you want on left on your clean dishes.