I use the cheap Great Value detergent from Wally World. Never have an issue of it not cleaning all the dishes just fine.
Which dishwasher detergent do you guys use?
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gusherb
Well-known member
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
Well-known member
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.
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.
lordkenmore
Well-known member
IGNORE LINK
in my post right above.
It appears I accidentally nonsense characters in the link box without noticing.
Sorry!
in my post right above.
It appears I accidentally nonsense characters in the link box without noticing.
Sorry!
joeypete
Well-known member
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.
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
Well-known member
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
miele_ge
Well-known member
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.
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
Well-known member
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
Well-known member
Cheryl I will say that since using Boil Out my glasses and silver are a bit shinier
dustin92
Well-known member
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.
Kirkland (Costco brand) powder in the big box. Seems to work as good as Cascade in my dishwasher.
Finish powerball or Walmart
Great Value liquid with chlorine, never a problem with foods remaining on dishes
Great Value liquid with chlorine, never a problem with foods remaining on dishes
mark_wpduet
Well-known member
Finish powerball
I have hard water. But whatever you use, try adding about a shot glass full of chlorine bleach. Just pour it on the dishwasher door before you start the wash. I was skeptical since bleach and enzymes are NOT good together, but the bleach is mostly gone before the main wash starts and the powerball pops out of the dispenser. I don't pre-rinse anything and sometimes it's 3 days before running the machine packed full, and it works so well and my stainless interior looks so much cleaner and spot free and the machine smells so sanitized inside..Someone on this forum gave this tip - (think it was cleanteamofNY) and I'm so glad I tried it.
I love my Maytag dishwasher, but before I started doing this, the crack at the bottom of the door where it meets the dishwasher (i always try to keep this area clean because not much water can get to it) and since adding the bleach, it stays clean on its own.
I have hard water. But whatever you use, try adding about a shot glass full of chlorine bleach. Just pour it on the dishwasher door before you start the wash. I was skeptical since bleach and enzymes are NOT good together, but the bleach is mostly gone before the main wash starts and the powerball pops out of the dispenser. I don't pre-rinse anything and sometimes it's 3 days before running the machine packed full, and it works so well and my stainless interior looks so much cleaner and spot free and the machine smells so sanitized inside..Someone on this forum gave this tip - (think it was cleanteamofNY) and I'm so glad I tried it.
I love my Maytag dishwasher, but before I started doing this, the crack at the bottom of the door where it meets the dishwasher (i always try to keep this area clean because not much water can get to it) and since adding the bleach, it stays clean on its own.
Glad to see others using Members Mark Ultimate Clean Pacs from Sam's Club. They do an excellent job, even with pots/pans, and they're a bargain. I tend to wash quite a number of half-loads, so the inexpensive pacs are appreciated. One quirk: They aren't great at removing those hazy, purple-ish discolorations from stainless steel cookware----at least in my water (which is softened). Even the crustiest food deposits are removed, but the discolorations sometimes remain.
There are still two containers of Cascade Platinum Pacs in the pantry, so I run a cookware-heavy load with one of those occasionally. Purple stains gone.
Joe-- Members Mark has another, cheaper, far less effective pac at Sam's Club. Be sure to get the 'Ultimate Clean' version.
There are still two containers of Cascade Platinum Pacs in the pantry, so I run a cookware-heavy load with one of those occasionally. Purple stains gone.
Joe-- Members Mark has another, cheaper, far less effective pac at Sam's Club. Be sure to get the 'Ultimate Clean' version.
joeypete
Well-known member
That's the one Eugene!! I didn't see any others at my Sam's here in Concord. I'm almost out of Finish so next time I'll grab a tub of those! 
