Dishwasher detergent and your machine

[cleanteamofny]

Since all the dishwasher detergent MFG changed their formula from phosphate to phosphate free.
What are you adding to your machine to really keep the interior clean?

I don't know if my dishwasher is fully leveled, but the new formula tends to clean well but leaves white powdery film at the base of the door area only.
I do use the heated wash with sanitize added and still this film builds up.

Now I started pouring 2-3 ounces of Clorox Splash-Less LCB at the start of the cycle and fill the main detergent with all brand(s) dishwashing detergent and the tub is clean.
I thought Jet Dry/Cascade rinse should help keep the dishwasher free from this grime but for some reason the LCB does the trick.
(Clorox Splash-Less LCB tends to foam up if too much is used!)

I know citric acid keeps the interior clean as well 1 cup of vinegar will do the same, what are you adding to keep your interior clean?

 

[cycla-fabric]

I use powder Cascade or Finish only. But we have soft water in the house so that helps a great deal as that eliminates all sorts of issues such as adding LCB, vineger, glisten, citric acid etc. Dishwasher is always clean with no residue.

Doug

 

[DADoES]

 
I was adding STPP to Wal-Mart GV non-phosphate detergent ... then found several boxes of phosphated Cascade Complete, and bought a supply of institutional Cascade with Bleach that's also phosphated.  So, no chalky residue here.

 

[iheartmaytag]

I add STTP to Cascade complete, or Finish Quantum.

I am not for sure, but I think Adding LCB to the beginning of the cycle, where the detergent is just starting, may inactivate the enzymes in the detergent.

Then I could be wrong,.
Laundress--Ruling Please.
[this post was last edited: 9/10/2012-18:32]

 

[washer111]

Well...

I found out that most (if not all) dishwasher detergents here are still phosphated, thanks to an older Choice article. I also discovered (whilst label reading) that Fairy tabs contain >30% Phosphates still (the label said that). Another hint, none of the packages have the "NP" label on them to indicate no phosphate 

 

[frigilux]

I was using Finish Powerball Tabs, which cleaned well but left some white powder around the door area--even though I have softened water. The residue wiped up easily. I've now switched to Cascade Complete Pacs which clean pots/pans better than the Finish PB Tabs. We'll see if it also leaves the telltale residue.

The Cascade Complete Pacs are a bit spendy, but boy they really do handle pots/pans like champs. No starch rings left on pasta pans; saute pans coated with gunk from high-temp sauteeing come clean. The Complete Pacs are my new daily driver.

I used Complete Pacs back when the phosphate ban took effect, and they did not clean this well. The chemists at Cascade must have worked overtime on the improvements.

 

[retropia]

At the store the other day, I was reading the back of a box of Cascade Complete Powder. It said if you have hard water issues, to use the Cascade Complete Action Pacs, as they have an additional ingredient to fight hard water. Don't know what that ingredient is, since the Action Pacs are also phosphate-free.

Currently I'm using Cascade Institutional powder in the pre-rinse cup (that has phosphates and bleach) and vintage Cascade Action Pacs in the main-wash cup (that has phosphates and enzymes).

Once my stash of the vintage Action Pacs is gone (another two years I think) I might try the new Cascade Complete Action Pacs. They received a good review in Consumer Reports.