Consumer Reports Tests Dishwashing Powders/Tabs/Gels

[jt1985]

The top two performers:

Cascade Complete All in 1 Pacs
Finish Quantum Powerball

The top two underperformers:

Cascade w/ The Grease Cutting Power of Dawn Gel (w/o Phosphates)
Wave 2x Ultra High Performance Gel

Only two non-phosphate detergents did well: Simplicity 2in1 Pacs and Method Smarty Dish. Palmolive Eco's score was two points higher than Cascade Gel sans Phosphates.

I've been using Finish Quantum, since they appeared at work a few months ago. Does a good job and leaves no spots.

 

[frigilux]

I love the Cascade Complete pacs; they do a great job of cleaning and it's so easy to toss one into the detergent dispenser. It seems counterintuitive not to have detergent in the first wash, but these babies really work!

I hope Cascade is working on engineering a non-phosphate detergent that works well. Most of non-phosphate detergents did poorly in the tests.

 

[dj-gabriele]

The only dishwasher detergent without phosphates I've ever used was Svelto tablets from Unilever, Svelto is the leading brand for washing up liquid but the dishwasher tablets are useless, even glasses came out dirty. So I'm using Finish all in one tablets all the time or when I go to the mall cheap powder from McBride (Carrefour or other store brands) that do a nice job and cost half.

 

[lotsosudz]

Rating of Dishwasher soaps

Recently I tried the green dishwasher soap Costco sells. It sucks! It leaves a fine powdery residue on the bottoms of glasses and dishes, and does really bad on anything metal. My advice is steer clear of it. I have relatively soft water, and a decent dishwasher. Usually I can use cheap, store brand detergent, and everything comes out beautiful, not so with this stuff. I wish I remembered what the name of it was, But is so bad I have forgotten it. Enough said there.

 

[Unimatic1140]

It seems counterintuitive not to have detergent in the first wash, but these babies really work!

That's why these newfangled detergent packs work so well in vintage dishwashers that do not have timed detergent dispensers. You just drop it right in and they wash really great.

 

[MikeS]

Finish Quantum Powerball

I finally tried these when my supermarket was having a sale (three extra packs in the box for $2.99). I noticed it sudsed up in my Roper (Whirlpool-made) undercounter dishwasher. But the results were great! I guess now that Great Value has dropped in the CR ratings, I'll have to stock up on one of the Cascade products or Finish Quantum when they are on sale.
No phosphates=No good (even with enzymes)!

 

[andrewinorlando]

I recently bought a box of Great Value powder at WalMart. I don't know what they did to it, but it really did not clean that well. They raised the price, but it certainly did not do the same job it used to. Anyone else have the same experience?

As a result, I bought a box of Cascade with Dawn, and found that it did an excellent job in the LG. I've got only moderately hard water here.

What gives? Anyone have similar experiences?

Eugene, what do you use in your LG?

 

[magic clean]

Andrew

check the carton, it probably is the new 0% phosphate version.

 

[rolls_rapide]

Finish 'Quantum'

What do the Americans pay for a pack of these?

In the UK, Tesco supermarket sells the pack of 30 for just under £10 (Pounds Sterling).

A new pack of 40 has just been launched at around £12 (Pounds Sterling)!!!

I think that is far, far too costly - and I refuse to pay it. Besides, I notice that they foam up in my Bosch, as do virtually all the Finish tablets.

 

[sudsmaster]

I've been using Cascade Advanced Power powder (probably a special Costco version) for a couple of years now with very good results. I don't know how it compares to the other Cascade powders in tests, though, since CR doesn't seem to test Costco versions of anything very often.

I use the Cascade complete gel packs in the '58 KA toploader. They work well enough as long as they are positioned to avoid the pre-wash sump purge spray.

 

[laundromat]

Finish

Also known as Electrosol,has and always will be my absolute favorite!!

 

[frigilux]

Hi, Andrew---

I use regular Cascade 3-in-1 pacs for most loads; Cascade Complete pacs for heavily-soiled loads; for really bad pots/pas loads, I use large doses of Cascade Complete Gel.

It's funny: I never thought I'd use a gel or pacs, and now that's all I use. Both have really improved since they debuted.

I love my LG dishwasher. I noticed they dropped the model we have from the LG lineup. Too expensive and not selling enough in this economy, I suppose. It was the only model with the upper cutlery rack, so I'm glad I got in on that. I never use the regular silverware bins for the bottom rack. In fact, I'm not even sure where I put them, come to think of it!

LG dropped their TOL electric range from their line, as well.

 

[volsboy1]

The Finish Quantum Powerball is unreal in cleaning power.I bought some last nite.They had a box of 30 or so for 3.50 and I did my normal Bob load but went a little wild by putting in a half of a apple pie that was ready to go in our Kenmore powerclean dishwasher and everything was spotless.

 

[ronhic]

USD$3.50!!!!!!

Bloody hell....They are criminally expensive here.

26 'Max in one' powerball regular tablets are AUD$16.11 at one of the major chains...

Is it anywonder that people buy Aldi Logix for less than $6.00...

....and I can't fault them.

 

[launderess]

Went downtown on other matters so stopped into "K-Sears" to pick up a few things, and for the most part powdered dishwashing detergents have gone from their shelves. Mainly tablets, gels/liquids, "action-pacs" and the like. What powders they did have were the bottom of the shelf things like generic and store brands. IIRC Electrasol (now called Finish) powder was there, but cannot recall if any Cascade was present.

Picked up a large bottle of Cascade "All In One" Complete liquid/gel with "Hydroclean and Bleach", as there wasn't my usual choice of Complete powder. The bottle cost $6.99 which is more than the smaller box of powder at local supermarket, but K-Sears has dollar off coupons for certain Cascade dishwasher detergents, so that brought the price to about even.

Consumer Reports rated Cascade Complete with Bleach a good performer and a "Best Buy" so we shall see.

If anyone shops at K-Sears, the Cascade coupons are dispensed from a tear away dispenser right on the shelves near Cascade products. Did not bother taking more than one or checking for an expiration date as they are only good at K-Mart. Still if one gets to try the Cascade gel/liquid before heading down that way again, and results are decent, will nab another bottle or two if the offer is still going.

 

[kqkenmore]

I use Cascade action packs and I have tried the Finish quantum and they are real good. I wish that they would bring back the vintage cascade powder with chlorine bleach it was the best.

 

[launderess]

Cascade With Bleach

Is still around.

Search restaurant supply houses and such places as "Instawares".

Enzymes and chlorine bleach are a no no, and since enzyme detergents clean dishes better, especially at the low temperatures (which reduces energy use), they are right up the street many governments are moving to in terms of dishwasher efficency.

Commercial dishwashers by and large still use VERY hot water for washing and fast cycles. This is where chlorine based detergents shine. Chlorine bleach not only removes stains, but breaks down protein, which is why the stuff is a no-no for wool and silk textiles.

 

[dj-gabriele]

3,50 USD for 30 tablets?!?! Wow, luky fella!
Here the 30 tablets box costs from 8,90€ and up!

 

[gyrafoam]

Finnish------

does a great job for me. Where I live here in Roanoke, the water is a hard 200ppm.
I get plain Finnish powder at the Dollar General store for only a few bucks and it performs perfectly in my vintage KAid.
AND there is NEVER any spotting! (I do not use rinse-agents)

 

[MrX]

Dishwasher Detergent Prices at Tesco Ireland

Here are some prices from Tesco Ireland, one of the largest supermarkets here.

I'd be interested to see how they compare internationally.

All prices are in Euro.
at today's rates:

1 Euro = US$1.40
1 Euro = 86.5 UK pence
1 Euro = Aus$1.75
1 Euro = CAN$1.62

Daisy - Budget Brand:

Daisy Dishwasher Powder 3kg
€6.69 (€2.23/kg)
Daisy Dishwasher Tablets 40's
€3.99
Daisy Rinse Aid 1 Litre
€3.45 (€3.45/litre)

Ecover (Ecological)

Ecover Dishwasher Tblts 25 Pack/500g
€6.40 (€12.80/kg)

Fairy - P&G (Similar to Cascade)

Fairy Active Dishwash Tabs Lemon 14's
€4.35
Fairy Active Dishwash Tabs Lemon 28's
€8.25
Fairy Active Dishwasher Tabs Lemon 45's
HALF PRICE Was 11.19 Now 5.59
€6.49
Fairy Platinum Dishwash Tabs Lemon 22pk 370g
€9.49
Fairy Platinum Dishwash Tabs Lemon 33 Pk 555g
€6.49
Fairy Platinum Dishwash Tabs Orig 22pk 370g
€9.49

Finish (Reckitt and Benckiser R&B)

Finish All In 1 D/Wash Tablets Lemon 30 Pack
€10.25
Finish All In 1 D/Wash Tablets Regular 30 Pack
€10.25
Finish All In 1 Tablets Lemon 15's
€4.89
Finish D/Washer Cleaner Reg 250ml
€4.99 (€19.96/litre)
Finish D/Washer Powder Lemon 1kg
€4.35 (€4.35/kg)
Finish D/Washer Salt 2kg
€1.79 (€0.90/kg)
Finish Dishwasher Clnr Lemon 250ml
€4.99 (€19.96/litre)
Finish Lemon Liquid Gel 1 Litre
€4.79 (€4.79/litre)
Finish Max In 1 D/Wash Tablets Lemon 14 Pack
€4.99
Finish Max In 1 D/Wash Tablets Lemon 28 Pack
€9.89
Finish Max In 1 D/Wash Tablets Original 28 Pk
€9.89
Finish Max In 1 D/Wash Tablets Original 42pk
€12.99
Finish Max In 1 D/Wash Tabs Lemon 42 Pack
€12.99
Finish Odourstop Freshener
€2.04
Finish Powerball Classic Lemon 30/32pk
€6.47
Finish Powerball Classic Regular 32pk/30pk
€5.99
Finish Quantum Dishwash Tabs Regular 20s
€9.89

Sun - (Unilever)

Sun 4-In-1 Plus Tabs Lemon 16's/352 G
€5.09 (€14.47/kg)
Sun All-in-1 Tabs GreenPower (Ecological) 48 tabs
€9.64 (€11.16/kg)

Tesco - (Store Brand)
Tesco 5 In 1 Dishwash Tablets Lemon 15's
€6.50
Tesco 5 In 1 Dishwash Tablets Lemon 30's
€6.69
Tesco 5 In 1 Dishwash Tablets Original 30's
€4.35
Tesco Dishwasher Salt Granules
€1.64 (€0.55/kg)

Tesco Value Dishwasher Tabs 30's
€2.79

Tesco Naturally D/Wsher Tbs 4in1 25 Pk
€4.10 (Ecological own brand)

 

[rolls_rapide]

Tesco Naturally D/Wsher Tbs 4in1 25 Pk

Those disappeared off our local store's shelves, along with all Tesco's "Naturally" ranges of cleaning products.

I really wouldn't recommend those, as they put my Bosch dishwasher into suds-lock.

The only ecologic range stocked at the moment is Ecover.

 

[MrX]

Yeah, I tried them and they were an absolute disaster in my bosch too

Sun Green Power's pretty good.

 

[pulsator]

I absolutely LOVE the Cascade Complete Action Pacs!!! All it takes is one in the main wash compartment! I used to be the person who would fill both compartments to the rim and the dump some on the door! They not only do an AMAZING job, but they are also pretty cool looking with that swirl! lol

 

[MrX]

They look identical to Fairy Platinum

Here's the advert *youtube link below*

 

[polkanut]

Here is a pdf link to the brand of dw detergent we use, Chlorinated Hytron Automatic Dishwash Detergent, made in Madison, WI.

http://www.stearnspkg.com/all_tek/464tek.pdf

 

[ronhic]

Well here is the kicker....

The Finish tablets that I mentioned in an earlier post that work out about AUD$5.00 cheaper than they same ones in Ireland actually come from Europe...

...and the Aldi ones are imported from Germany....

 

[whirlcool]

Here in Houston, the Finish Power Ball Tabs for for $4.26 for 10 and $6.98 for 30. A box of these were supplied with our new Maytag dishwasher.

We usually keep a box of these on hand as well as a box of Finish Deep Cleaning powder with Shine Boost. For heavy loads we are trying Cascade Actionpacs with Dawn. They seem to work as well as the Finish Power Ball Tabs.

About a month ago we sent an e-mail to Reckett-Benckiser and complained about the Air Wick Lavender scent plug in. They added vanilla to the Lavender and it now smells like burning cotton candy. I asked them where we could buy the regular Lavender scent. They told us their testing indicated a majority of the people liked the new scent and asked me to try some of their other scents. A week later I received 3 $3.00 off coupons and 3 $1.00 off coupons on any of their products.
I was shocked at how many brands the company makes! What made this even nicer was a bold print on the bottom of each coupon indicating that the coupons could be combined at one sale. Free Stuff!

 

[statenislandgwm]

Sudsing anyone?

I have been using the Finish powerball tabs with great results here. I have found that if I use any liquid or gel/gelpac type dishwasher detergent it causes awful suds in my dishwasher to the point that they were once leaking out from under the door. Any kind of powder I use is fine (even a 99 cents store one I bought called "Sun"). Does anyone have the same problem as me? I tend to think it's because of the NYC water.

 

[launderess]

Most of NYC has soft water. When we used Electrasol tablets, then the "powerball" version, even with a half tablet still had horrible frothing problems. Indeed so much so one could hear the pump straining to push the suds laden water out the spray arms. Worse this foaming would cary over into the rinse cycle.

Personally do not like tablets because it requires one either accept using a pre-dose amount or break apart tablets. Our dishwasher is only an 18" model so we do not always need one tablet per wash.

 

[MrX]

Ronhic : We're absolutely ripped off on everything in Ireland. It's one of the most expensive countries in the EU.