Which dishwasher detergent do you guys use?

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washerdude

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Jun 10, 2013
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What is your favourite dishwasher detergent? Ours is Cascade Complete action pacs with citrus scent. We find that these work best on getting food off dishes in our Kenmore 15113 and making everything shine. I think it works better then both Finish Quantum and Cascade Platinum.
 
powerball

Finish Powerball. I am sure water chemistry plays a role, but I find the Powerball to clean slightly better than the Cascade Complete in my conditions.

A couple of years back CU found Powerball to clean Pots and Pans better than the Quantum. I thought so too. However, Quantum has been reformulated since then and I can't really tell much difference now. So I usually buy the Powerball which is a little less expensive.
 
Finish Concentrate Powder

Ours still has >30% Phosphates, by weight, according to the MSDS Finish publishes.

This stuff cleans better (though not by much) than other detergents we have tried. Its also a helluva lot cheaper than tablets.

At the moment, we are using a Finish-Rebadge called "Kwit." I got it on sale for about $10 each. Same performance, smell etc. Cheaper price.
 
I use the Finish Quantum pacs. Don't rinse anything before loading except making sure I scrape off food into the disposal. Dishes sit in the machine until there's a full load ( normally a day or two) and never have any problems.

 

Machine might not get something now and then but nothing to complain about.
 
Cascade Complete Powder and Powder only.

I buy it at BJs. Huge Box for $9.49

I was using Bubble Bandit, but our water changed and it was not cleaning well. The Kenwhirl's Plastic interior was getting a stain build up. Ran a cup of bleach through and the Cascade is maintaining the interior nicely.
 
Has this happened state side too?

Here in Ireland non-tablet dishwasher detergent has all bit disappeared.

You get umpteen versions of Finish dominating with Fairy (sister of Cascade) liquid burst packs in umpteen versions of "platinum" and "all in one".
Then unilver Sun which is often a lot cheaper but works extremely well.

Then some specialist Eco products like Ecover

Then store own brands (some of which are very good)

You'd be lucky to find Finish Powder which is a modern enzyme based product and also Finish Gel which seems to still contain chlorine bleach like a 1980s product.
Usually you'll find these hidden down the bottom of the shelves.

Very occasionally you might see a store brand powder but basically 98%+ of the market is tablets of one form or another.

On the continent there still seems to be a lot of gel products and they work better if you've ever using express / quick washes.

The 35 min cycle in my Bosch is very effective for not so dirty dishes if you're in a rush, but it will absolutely not work with most tablets. If you put a fairy gel burst tablet pack into the filter area of the machine, it works but ideally it should be used with gel or liquid which simply isn't on the market here anymore.
 
Finish!

Been using it for several years now. I was using Cascade but it caused a white film on my plastics so i switched to then Electrasol (Finish) and the problem went away. I was using the tabs, which are fantastic. I now use the powder which I can only find locally at Demoulas Market Basket. I now add a small amount of STPP to it as well. Works like a charm.
 
 
Cascade Institutional (NLA but is the same as Cascade Fryer Boil Out that JakeSeacrest mentions above).  Also have some 'old' Cascade Complete (with enzymes & phosphates) that is use occasionally on heavy/baked-on loads.
 
Cascade complete powder and a teaspoon of STPP in my 20 year old Frigidaire
Michael does the Cascade Boil Out have phosphates and where do you find it ? Thanks cheryl
 
Finish powerball Quantum Max with Shine and Protect. This does a great job in my machine which is run every other day. Scrape no prerinse. Everything clean even in the one hour 25 minute cycle. Wash two rinses dry.
 
Cascade Platinum pack for the main wash with a shot of either Cascade powder or gel for the first wash. I normally add a small amount of STPP split between the dispenser bins.

I stopped using any rinse agents. Since changing to the above combo everything just works. Glasses and flatware have a nice sheen and never have cleaning issues. The stainless interior of the DW appears to be cleaner also.

Previously I had been using Finish Powerball tablets in the main wash. They cleaned OK but I had frothing problems.
 

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