I've been using Cascade in my dishwasher forever. But the last 2 boxes of powder I bought seem to leave a film on my dishes. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good dish detergent. I prefer powder because it last longer for the price, but since I'm having to hand wash all my dishes when they get out of the dishwasher anyway, I'm not saving money or time. I also put Jet-Dri in my dishwasher and I've been doing that forever, so it could be the jet-dri, but I'm thinking of starting with the detergent first. Thanks.
We use Seventh Generation detergent and rinse aid. We use vinegar once a month in an empty dishwasher on the hottest setting. This cleans out the dishwasher.
Seventh Generation makes a great powder and it is eco friendly. Also you might try just putting a glass cup full of vinegar up right in the top rack of the dish washer and starting it, let it cycle through this helps with yucky build up.
Quantum Finish tablets...they make a huge difference...
I use the tablets, they are awesome. I had major white stuff on the dishes from not getting properly rinsed or something and tried everything, "clr", vinigar, a couple drops reg dish det, jet dry, the dish washer cleaning capsule or whaatever its called, the tabs are quick, convenient and WORK
I use the vinegar periodically and it works wonders!!! They now can't put phosphates (or something else I can't remember) in detergent - thus the film. The vinegar gets rid of it. I'd wash a load of glasses only with a cup of white vinegar in the top rack - watch how clean they get. you may also try a more "green" detergent. I'm not sure if that would matter.
I use (and sell) Shaklee. It has no phosphates. Much better for the environment.
I use Diamond Brite. It works well and is non-toxic so it is safe for your family AND the environment.
It is liquid and you use 1/3 of what you would normally use.
Make sure your dishes are not "too clean" when put in the dishwasher. The detergent need "something" to work on. I did that before the appliance guy set me straight. He also told me:
•scrape, don't rinse
•use only powder or powder packs
•use less than you think you should
•run a cycle with vinegar to help with any build up that might be in there
Since I made those changes...all is well.
Good luck!
Is TX one of the states that banned phosphorus in dish detergent? That could be the culprit. Has your Cascade box changed color? If you read the label you will find that phosphorus is no longer an ingredient.
Consumer reports did a study and determined which of the phosphorus free detergents work the best. I don't recall which they were...I believe one was Finish something or another.
It's the Cascade, not you or your Jet Dri. There is a lot of discussion about it out there. Dishwasher detergent manufacturers are removing phosphates because many states banned them -they're supposed to be bad for fish and increase algae growth in water sources. The solution most people have is to add 1 cup of vinegar to the wash cycle once the initial fill up begins. Do this along with using your dishwasher detergent. And according to Consumer Reports Finish Quantum seemed to work the best of all the low phosphate products out there. Also here is a link to the article that was in Good Housekeeping http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/product-testing/from-the-...
The states that have laws on low-phosphates dishwasher detergents include Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
I think you probably need to use a descaler on the dishwasher. This is one I use: http://www.amazon.com/Finish-Dishwasher-Cleaner-Liquid-8-...
You are actually supposed to do it every few months. Same for the washing machine :)
