Which dishwasher detergent do you guys use?

[washerdude]

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.

 

[bwoods]

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.

 

[washer111]

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.

 

[mattl]

Cascade powder or pack and Finish quantum- which ever is on sale when I need it.

 

[zipdang]

Ecover tabs, or Seventh Generation powder as a backup.

 

[jakeseacrest]

Cascade Fryer Boil Out. I've been using it since earlier in the year

 

[washdaddy]

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.

 

[toploader55]

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.

 

[iej]

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.

 

[polkanut]

I like to mix up a 50-50 blend of Cascade & Hytron powders.  I also add 1 level teaspoon of STPP to the detergent dispenser.  Perfect results every time!

http://www.stearnspkg.com/hfa/h-hytron-chlorinated-automatic-dishwasher-detergent.html

 

[user 3941]

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.

 

[whirlcool]

Finish All In One Powerball tabs. It works well. They are individually wrapped so they seem to stay fresher longer.

 

[labboy]

Somat Powder

Currently using Somat Powder in the Bosch. Works really well with only 1 tbsp (15 mL) per load.

 

[DADoES]

 
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.

 

[foraloysius]

Somat 10 tabs

 

[mamapinky]

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

 

[jerrod6]

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.

 

[abcomatic]

Bubble Bandit it what I use in the dishwasher, here at home.

 

[kb0nes]

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.

 

[wayupnorth]

I use the cheap Great Value detergent from Wally World. Never have an issue of it not cleaning all the dishes just fine.

 

[gusherb]

Been using Cascade Complete gel for awhile now and it works fine. Back a few years ago or so after they removed phosphates from everything, Cascade was horrendous compared to the Finish Powerball tabs we had been using for years.

 

[lordkenmore]

In 2007, I lived a few months someplace with a dishwasher that was 100% under my control. I don't think I tried EVERY detergent, but I do know every time I bought a detergent, I got a different brand type. My memory is hazy, but I don't recall being unhappy with anything. I suppose when I have a dishwasher again, it will likely be more of the same: something new each time, unless there is some compelling reason to lock into a particular brand.

I do have a couple of biases. First, I like powders, although that is less about perceived real world benefits and more about it's what I'm used to. A pod of some sort is probably more convenient, but I don't mind filling the little detergent cup.

I also have a warm, fuzzy spot for Cascade...but that's only because that was the brand I remember from growing up. We had, but almost never used, a dishwasher, and Cascade was the brand of detergent my mother used.

I wonder about scents, too. Part of me likes the idea of unscented (Seventh Generation had a powder like that). One thing I don't want is dishes with a scent. But IIRC the scent can at least add a perfumey aura around the running dishwasher.

http://we

 

[lordkenmore]

IGNORE LINK

in my post right above.

It appears I accidentally nonsense characters in the link box without noticing.

Sorry!

 

[user 3941]

I just got a membership to Sam's Club and i want to try the Member's Mark tabs. CR gave them a good rating, just under Finish. They had a bucket of 105 for just under $10. The same size in Finish tabs were about $13.50.

I have to admit I've been quite a snob with dishwasher detergents. I should be more open minded and try other types…including generic. Some do pretty well. I'd like to try the Seventh Generation too.

 

[jakeseacrest]

Cheryl I had to order it at a restaurant supply store. It does have phosphates and I believe it is 7%. I'm at work so I can check for sure when I get home

 

[DADoES]

 
Cascade Fryer Boil Out @ RestockIt.com (case of six 85 oz.)

Google search for other sources

 

[miele_ge]

somat powder

In the 13 year old Miele Premier Plus. Works great but have to be careful of overdosing as it will foam too much. Still everything is clean and it doesn't etch the Ridel wine glasses either.

 

[mamapinky]

Thank you Michael and DADoES, maybe I'll order some one of these days, I've had good results most of the time with cascade complete and STPP and someone here mentioned a shot glass of chlorine bleach in the prewash cycle which I've been doing with great results, I think my d/w being the age it is does better with a chlorine based detergent rather than a enzyme based, think I'll try finish gel cheryl

 

[jakeseacrest]

Cheryl I will say that since using Boil Out my glasses and silver are a bit shinier

 

[dustin92]

Member's Mark (Sam's Club) Ultimate Clean pacs. They work great, maybe even a little better than the Cascade Platinum Tabs that we were using previously. The best part is they are 1/2 the price of Cascade Platinum ($10 for 110 rather than $10 for 48) Very light clean scent.