It looks like all Phosphated Cascade is ending

[whirlcool]

We've been using the latest edition of Cascade Complete powder and it gets the dishes just as clean as with the phosphated Cascade Action packs withe Dawn that we have been using. We noticed that the load is a bit more shinier with the phosphated version than without. But still no spotting.

We have noticed foaming with the Finish power balls too. The DW just sounds more muffled than it normally does while using Cascade.

Time to hit the dollar stores again to see if there are any phosphated DW detergents left.

I STILL can't believe the number of people out there who replaced their dishwashers simply because after phosphate removal the dishes weren't coming out clean anymore. There were a ton of them!

 

[mark_wpduet]

I know

It's amazing how a lot of them didn't consider it was the detergent and not the dishwasher.

Can you imagine how they must have felt when their new machine wasn't any better?

 

[DADoES]

 
Referencing my comment Reply #29 above ... I ran a load that included a 13"x9" Pyrex from baked cilantro/lime-seasoned chicken breasts (35 mins @ 375° convection), dish was not treated with any non-stick product.  It sat for 5 days (Sat eve -> Thu morn) before washing, the congealed grease scraped out and a couple of the thicker burned-on areas scraped lightly.  Came out pristine using institutional Cascade powder (1 tsp prewash, 3.5 tsp main wash, Heavy cycle, 150°F main wash, 163°F final rinse).  Sorry, no pics.

 

[whirlcool]

Can you imagine how they must have felt when their new machine wasn't any better?

Exactly my thoughts. And how many repairmen were called out to "fix" new machines that still spotted dishes & glasses?

 

[mayguy]

Just brought a case of it today. See how much better this does vs Bubble Bandit.

I've been using Bubble Bandit for a year, and overall I've been pleased with it, it's week point is not able to remove starch from pots, and cooked on meat.

 

[mayguy]

My shippment came! I was worried if this was going to be the real thing or not..

Whew... it was the real thing! ;-)

 

[passatdoc]

confirmed: all detergent in California now phosphate-free

Evidently California didn't change its laws, but with other states now banning phosphates, the manufacturers are aiming for simplification, i.e. production of only one version of each product. I have about 500 Finish tabs hoarded away, partly because I bought 4-5 Finish canisters (80 tabs each) at Costco a few years ago when I heard the phosphate ban was coming, and then I received two similar canisters (so old they say Electrasol, not Finish) from friends who could not close the dispenser door of their KA over the tabs and wanted to find them a good home (they use powder to fit the KA dispenser). 

 

The person who told me this is the owner of our local appliance store. He stated his customers still get good results with higher end units (KA, Bosch, etc.) and no-phosphate detergents, but the key is the prime the hot water line before starting the machine, to be sure the first rinse (which is not heated by the DW) is as hot as possible. For most applications, this would mean running the hot water kitchen tap until the temp reaches full hot water line temperature.

 

[whirlcool]

And if your hot water line runs along the outside wall of your house (ours does) you may have to reprime during the lengthy wash cycle. During our recent cold snap the water temp in the water line dropped quite dramatically in a short time. But Our Maytag stopped several times with the "Water heating" light on.

 

[mich]

Jim...

I hate to say this, but Phosphate Free has been here, and everywhere for 3 years now. Neither P&G (Cascade), Reckitt Bencizer (Finish/Electrasol), or Sun Products (Sunlight, and pretty much every store brand) thought the expense of making separate products for different states affected by the ban, and not, was worth it.

So, everyone gets Phosphate Free. Except for Restaurants, they get the good-good stuff, from Ecolab.

 

[whirlykenmore78]

"They get the good stuff, from Ecolab"

Actually many of Ecolab's DW detergents are phosphate free as well.  The best performing DW detergents I have EVER used, the Apex line has always been 99.5% phosphate free in the products I've used.  However these formulations are not cheap.  However when you consider the cost per use they are not only top performing but extremely economical.   

WK78

 

[mich]

While I don't know there complete line..

A simple phone call to them, asking if they had Phosphate Based Dishwasher Detergent solutions, netted me a yes. They also have Alkinaity Boosters, for Laundry that still contains STPP...

I think the APEX line, is Sodium Hydroxide based. God forbid you get that stuff on your hands...

 

[mich]

Whatever you do...

AVOID THIS BOX. It's the same formula as regular Cascade Powder from the store.