I'm calling to order this meeting of the readers with various dishwasher issues, only to let you kind folks know of a recent Consumer Reports study of — you guessed it — detergents.
In the latest testing — results of which appear in the July 2012 issue — Finish Powerball Tabs and Cascade Complete All-in-1 ActionPacs earned the highest marks in CR's ratings of nonphosphate gels, liquids, packs, pods, powders and tablets. (Laws in several states removed phosphates from dishwasher detergents a few years ago, which resulted in some cleaning challenges.)
Many detergents left food stuck to plates or pots. Finish Powerball Tabs, the only "Best Buy" rated by the magazine, at 21 cents per load, and Cascade Complete All-in -1 at 29 cents per load both cleaned dishes and pots well, and dishware washed in these detergents didn't have water spots, white film or discolored aluminum.
In its latest tests, Consumer Reports added hard-water performance to the ratings of models first reported in October 2011.
The magazine began this test last year in response to readers' comments about a white film or cloudy buildup on dishware.
Consumer Reports found several products that allowed glassware to be covered in varying degrees with a frosty-white film in just 20 washes using very hard water.
And, while no type of detergent was best overall, liquids and gels tended to fall toward the bottom of Consumer Reports' ratings.
Whatever the detergent, consumers can get cleaner dishes by adding a rinse agent, making sure the water is hot (120 degrees), separating flatware, and facing dirty dishes toward water jets.
Case closed. Meeting over. No appeals will be heard.
In the latest testing — results of which appear in the July 2012 issue — Finish Powerball Tabs and Cascade Complete All-in-1 ActionPacs earned the highest marks in CR's ratings of nonphosphate gels, liquids, packs, pods, powders and tablets. (Laws in several states removed phosphates from dishwasher detergents a few years ago, which resulted in some cleaning challenges.)
Many detergents left food stuck to plates or pots. Finish Powerball Tabs, the only "Best Buy" rated by the magazine, at 21 cents per load, and Cascade Complete All-in -1 at 29 cents per load both cleaned dishes and pots well, and dishware washed in these detergents didn't have water spots, white film or discolored aluminum.
In its latest tests, Consumer Reports added hard-water performance to the ratings of models first reported in October 2011.
The magazine began this test last year in response to readers' comments about a white film or cloudy buildup on dishware.
Consumer Reports found several products that allowed glassware to be covered in varying degrees with a frosty-white film in just 20 washes using very hard water.
And, while no type of detergent was best overall, liquids and gels tended to fall toward the bottom of Consumer Reports' ratings.
Whatever the detergent, consumers can get cleaner dishes by adding a rinse agent, making sure the water is hot (120 degrees), separating flatware, and facing dirty dishes toward water jets.
Case closed. Meeting over. No appeals will be heard.
***Its all in the dishwasher!
Make sure you have a great dishwasher and if you live in a place with hard water such as Utah, then get a dishwasher with water softener. That will make your dishes nice and clear once again. Another huge problems with dishwashers is that the heating element goes out and thats why the film of white and food bits stick to the dishes still. Be wise in buying your dishwasher because that is what ultimately will keep them nice and clear!
