Dishwasher Detergent Review

Testing dishwasher detergent

The best review of dishwasher detergents is at Consumer Reports, where editors rate detergents based on how well they clean pots and dishes and how gentle they are to glass and silver. We found another comparison test at EcoChildsPlay.com, where Jamie Ervin tests five environmentally friendly dishwashing detergents.

On About.com, Sarah Aguirre provides brief reviews of nine detergents, with a more detailed review of one of them. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.) At HowToCleanAnything.com, editors give four families a Cascade detergent to try for a month and report on the results. We found many reviews of single detergents on websites about homemaking and environmental issues; some of these articles also include feedback from readers discussing their experiences with different brands. Sites such as Amazon.com, Drugstore.com and ThriftyFun.com contain numerous brief descriptions of different detergents. We also found many video reviews on dishwashing detergents at ExpoTV.com.

Dishwasher detergents come in several formulations: traditional powders and gels as well as newer gel pacs and tabs, which provide premeasured packets of detergent. Studies show that all of these types can clean well and that the choice can be based on your personal preference and budget. In a poll conducted by About.com, powders are the most popular dishwashing detergent type, used by 33 percent of respondents, followed by liquids (18 percent), gels (12 percent) and gel pacs and tabs (11 percent). Many consumers like the convenience offered by gel pacs and tabs, which eliminate measuring, overfilling and spilling. They can be easier for kids to use. In some cases, liquids and gels can be hard to squeeze from the bottle. In general, powders are the least expensive type.

Most dishwashers require 2 ounces of detergent per load, with more detergent needed for dirtier dishes or pots and pans. At About.com, Sarah Aguirre cautions against the use of too much detergent, noting that it "can leave a film of detergent on the entire contents of the dishwasher." You may want to experiment with different amounts of detergent to determine what works best with your dishwasher and water type. It can be helpful for you to know whether you have hard or soft water; hard water sometimes requires more detergent than soft water. According to reviewer comments, many dishwashing detergents seem to work better in soft water, but there are several that are fine in harder water.

At GoodHousekeeping.com, Carolyn Forte of the Good Housekeeping Institute states that dishwasher detergent must be fresh for optimum cleaning. Forte recommends that you buy only what can be used up in two months. Also at GoodHousekeeping.com, the columnist Heloise cautions that detergent meant for hand-washing dishes should not be used in the dishwasher. As Heloise says, "It will create a mountain of suds!"

Homemade dishwasher detergent

In the About.com poll of types of detergents used, 11 percent of respondents say they use homemade formulas. Several websites provide recipes for homemade laundry detergent, most of which consist of a combination of Borax, baking soda and vinegar, or other familiar ingredients. However, we called 20 Mule Team, the makers of Borax, and the representative stated that Borax should not be used in dishwashers. There is a concern that Borax might scratch dishes and glassware.

Many people who try homemade dishwasher detergent are disappointed with the results. Homemade detergents tend to leave behind a white residue on dishes, and some recipes do not clean very well. For some accounts of bloggers' experiences with homemade dishwasher detergent, see the Useful Links section of this report. While not impossible, it certainly seems to take some trial and error to invent a homemade formula that works well for you.