Finish Dishwasher Gel - Who Knew?

[launderess]

Was given a bottle of Finish DW gel a few months ago but never bothered as had a box of (vintage) Cascade still going. Well last night got around to doing a load of dishes in the Mobile Maid and figured why not? The Cascade was gone and was going to start using up a another gift (box of Finish powerball tabs) in aid of getting stash down.

Fill dispenser cup completely, then added an equal amount around bottom of tub for prewash, then let the MM do its work.

Not long after pre-wash began came the gagging whiff of chlorine bleach (the Finish gel is mostly chlorine bleach and potassium hydroxide)which prompted one to leave the room.

As machine moved through cycles noticed that unlike Cascade Complete or other powders (phosphate) in one stash there wasn't an issue with too much froth. Normally have to add a few drops of defoamer to keep suds in check and prevent pump from cavitating and or straining motor. Not a bit of it; all one heard was dishes being shoved about by the powerful force of water.

When cycle ended took out dishes and examined results. Was gobsmacked that dishes which sat for > seven days were totally clean; even bowls encrusted with dried on porridge or ice cream came totally clean. Glassware was gleaming as well!

Will use up this bottle of Finish gel, but as cannot abide strong chlorine bleach smell won't buy another bottle. Given how the virtues of enzyme dw detergent are sung from every household didn't think something old school like this would work.

 

[lakewebsterkid]

Interesting

I have always had very poor results with chlorine based dishwashing detergents. Silverware always looks dull and dingy, while dishes aren’t always thoroughly cleaned. Sounds like this is a decent product. I wish they made a good gel since it would dissolve quickly in lower temps unlike these pacs.

 

[launderess]

It could be my vintage MM dw functions in many ways like commercial units with several changes of water (W-R-W-R-R-D). That and hot water out of the taps is >150F due to the boilers firing on high for heating purposes.

Even before heater kicks on during main wash sides of the MM dw are very hot from all that steamy water.

Will say insides of cups looked rather better than with oxygen based dw detergent; that is coffee/tea stains totally gone.

 

[askolover]

That's why I still use chlorine based products in my KUDI23 Kitchenaid. Never misses a lick.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Thank you for the report Launderess!

I am glad that you had such good results. I have not seen this product, but would be willing to try it in the main wash with the enzyme formula stuff in the first wash. Is it in current production or is it vintage stock from the finest cellars? Chlorine does go after organic material, that's for sure and hot water is the key to great results. Remember the Westinghouse tag line with their dishwashers with the hot water booster, "The hotter the water, the cleaner the dishes."

 

Happy Dishwashing!

 

[DADoES]

 
I've been using chlorine-based Cascade Institutional (aka Fryer Boil Out) powder for 7 years to excellent results.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Me, too, but mostly in the main wash to save it. I use the Cascade Complete Gel in the first wash where the water is cooler

 

[kb0nes]

I bought a bottle of Finish Gel a while back, it was cheaper then the Cascade product. I have been using Cascade Complete or Platinum packs in the dispenser and just wanted something to add to the first wash to cut any grease. I only use a tablespoon full or so depending on the soil, but it does have quite an odor.

I also like having a bottle of gel around for other cleaning tasks were a bit of DW detergent gets the job done.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Thanks, Phil. Are you talking about the chlorine odor? That can be useful for deodorizing plastics.

 

[kb0nes]

Yes, the bleach'y odor that Laundress raised. It isn't too bad since I don't use a lot.

The Cascade packs have a fragrance too as was raised in another thread. It seems to rinse clear for me, but it does make the kitchen kinda stanky during the cycle though

 

[rinso]

Laundress, is your MM an impeller or wash arm type? 

 

 

[launderess]

@rinso - Wash arm type.

@Tomburbomatic - Current production Finish "Advanced" gel. Can be found at most shops/supermarkets. https://www.amazon.com/Finish-Dishwasher-Detergent-Liquid-Lemon/dp/B001KYUJEC

 

[combo52]

Aldi Stores Have An Excellent Liquid Detergent With CB In It

A large bottle is only about $2.59, and I often use it in the prewash cup with a high quality tablet in the covered cup in our WP DWs.

 

But keep in mind, these liquid products will only work well as your only detergent if you have soft water, they are terrible in hard water areas and will leave nasty mineral build-ups if used alone.

 

John L.

 

[tomturbomatic]

The thing I dislike about the gels is that so many of them are loaded with fruity or floral fragrances and they deposit an odor in plastics like Tupperware or Rubbermaid storage containers which imparts a phony off flavor to foods. The Cascade enzyme gel does not have an odor to leave behind and I use it first so the Commercial chlorinated stuff washes any odors away. You have to wonder what the immigrant population puts in their dishwashers to need to cover it up with heavy perfume.