How are you coping with the new dishwasher detergents?

[joeekaitis]

Thirty-minute COLD water soak in just enough water the cover the soiled dishes and utensils followed by a thorough scraping before loading the machine.

Full dose of detergent, cancel the cycle after the main wash, reload the dispenser with detergent and Lemi Shine, allow to complete.

More work but it works.

You?

 

[kenmoreguy64]

With all that, it seems like it would be easier to handwash.

 

[bugsyjones]

I tried using the new formula Cascade with terrible results. Even in a KitchenAid Custom 21.

I use commercial Cascade. I buy it from an industrial supplier.

It still contains phosphates (for now) and I have a sneaking hunch it has some sort of bleach as well.

Sparkling dishes every time.

~Tim

 

[rp2813]

I can't cope. I bought up a bunch of phosphated Cascade before it disappeared completely off the store shelves.

No matter how you slice it, phosphate-free detergents create more work. Either as you described, or on the other end of things after the load has been washed and all the film needs to be removed.

This will not stand! I hope!

 

[spookiness]

don't see the fuss

everything in my area has seemed to be non-phosphate for awhile now. I scrape, throw the dishes in the machine, usually run pots & pans cycle (Kenmore UltraWash). Sometimes they sit a couple days and get dry and crusty before I run them.

Usually use Finish powder, and its ok. I got some Reeva last week and it seems maybe a little better. In any case, a spot or two here or there doesn't not give me seizures.

 

[whirlcool]

STPP is the answer!

 

[dixieland]

Although I know "miss" the phosphates there are some very good non-phosphated detergents out there like ecover. I have had good luck with new Finish powder, albeit I have a brand-new dishwasher that takes hours to complete a cycle. Maybe that is the key, you need a longer cycle with the newer detergents.

 

[golittlesport]

The new DW detergent was leaving a white film on everything, but I bought some STPP and add a bit with the new detergent in the dispenser and everything is coming out sparkling again.

 

[cleanteamofny]

STPP will make a BIG difference. My aluminum pots are shining!

 

[DADoES]

 
<blockquote>How are you coping with the new dishwasher detergents?</blockquote>STPP.  Load-and-go.

 

[nmassman44]

I have been using the Finish Tabs with Powerballs and get great results on everything. My Cascade days are over.

 

[laundryboy]

Cascade Complete

BJ's here in Orlando still has the Phosphate cascade available, I bought 7 bottles today. They had about 4 pallets stacked up..

 

[sudsmaster]

I'm not

I decided not even to try the new non-phosphated dw detergents.

Instead I snapped up as much of the old stuff at clearance stores as I could reasonably afford and store.

I figure I have about 10 years' worth now, as well as a large supply of STPP should the need arise to mix that with some of the new non-phosphated stuff.

Since Europe has backtracked on banning phosphate from DW detergents, perhaps by that time various US states will have realized that the average human toilet discharges far more phosphorus into the sewer system than the average phosphated dishwasher, and the bans would all have been lifted.

One can only hope.

 

[mrb627]

Miele

Seems to work just fine in my Miele. Of course the entire program take around 3 hours. But without noise intrusion into my living space, I could care less.

Malcolm

 

[nmassman44]

If my dishwasher didnt have the built in water softener I would be bitching like everyone else...but luckily my Miele is up to the task. I am wondering if Miele will offer a free program upgrade for the new detergents.

 

[passatdoc]

@joe in Rialto

I bought four or five 100-count packages of Finish Powerballs at Costco.

I noticed your location is Rialto. Have phosphated detergents disappeared off the shelves of stores in CA? I bought the stash from Costco about three weeks ago. Given I run the DW twice a week, I figure I have a five year supply.

 

[frigilux]

Mike---I purchased a box of non-phosphate Finish Gel Pacs and a box of Powerballs last week and they both do a great job. I'm impressed with the Gel Pacs, as they are quite inexpensive compared to Cascade pacs. And in soft water, at any rate, they clean really well---even starch rings on stainless steel pots/pans.

I have two 150-use Cascade Action Pacs (with phosphates) to use up, and then I'm probably going to switch over to Finish, too. I still like having Cascade Complete Gel (non-phosphate) for my worst loads, as I can easily up the dosage, and use detergent in both the pre-and main washes.

 

[a440]

Well....

I was totally out tonight and the rain storm was wild....
I went to BJ's club (kind of like Sam's club if you don't have them) and bought a 9.63 pound box of Cascade with Dawn for $8.99.
I picked up several boxes and found that all of them where only filled up to 3/4 of the huge box. I thought what the heck, I will give it a try since my last purchase was from Walmart. Their Value brand. And I must say that the Value brand did quite well....it did not leave any film on plastics and cleaned quite well in my KDS-18 machines.
Anyhow being turned off at the Cascade box being only 3/4 full, my box that I left with was "full".
I will use it and tell you what I think. Hopefully it will clean as well as my Walmart brand that I tested.
I still cannot find any of the old stuff with Phosphates.
Brent

 

[mattl]

I've been using the Finish QUANTUMATIC and have to say I'm impressed, but not sold. Everything comes out very clean and shinny, only drawback is the price. I picked up the initial apparatus for $2, and a 10 load cartridge, but I'm not willing to pay $10 for 20 washes. I'm used to buying a big box of Cascade for $5 and having it last for 2 or 3 months.

I have stocked up on Cascade Complete with phosphates, 4 or 5 boxes with should last over a year. After that I may try the commercial stuff if it still has phosphates or go the additive route. But, if you don't mind the price I can heartily recommend the Finish QUANTUMATIC system.