There’s been an ongoing debate over whether you should pre-rinse dishes before running your dishwasher. Thankfully, here at Tom’s Guide, we’ve settled the argument by calling in the help of dishwasher experts to explain that it’s not needed.
However, it got me thinking about whether the type of detergent you use in your dishwasher matters.
If you’re using one of the best dishwashers, it makes sense to use the best dishwasher detergent for the job, so once again, I asked the experts what they recommend. It turns out that using the right detergent can help improve your dishwasher’s performance, but there's one product they don't advice using.
Dishing the dirt on dishwasher detergent
Does the type of dishwasher detergent you use matter? “Yes, it certainly does,” says Lindsay Zolman, senior consumer analyst at Hisense.
And she adds, “Pods or tablets are your best bet. These usually include enzymes, degreasers, and rinse aid all in one. They are formulated to break down tough food residues and leave dishes sparkling.”
But what does Zolman think about powder and liquid detergents? “Powder detergents can work well too, especially if you prefer to measure out the exact amount.”
However, she believes that liquid detergents tend to be the least effective and can lose their potency over time once opened.
Vanessa Ruiz, professional organizer at Sparkly Maid San Antonio, agrees with Zolman about using detergents, including enzymes, as she says that they outperform gel formulas. She recommends Cascade Free & Clear for its performance, while Seventh Generation Free & Clear is another where the pre-rinse can be skipped.
How to choose the best detergent for your needs
When choosing the best dishwasher detergent, Lindsay Jones, Senior Manager of PR & Brand Experience at Maytag, recommends considering the type of water, loading style, and frequency of dishwasher use. And although we've already stated that pods and tablets will give the best results, you might prefer an alternative.
“Liquid detergents are a traditional choice and give you the option to customize how much detergent you want to use based on the soil level of your dishes,” she says, and she suggests measuring one tablespoon of detergent per cycle.
However, if you don’t want to spend out on pods and tablets, she says powdered detergents are a budget-friendly option.
Although other products may be more expensive, they are often more user-friendly. “Detergent pods are convenient and pre-measured to make cleaning the dishes even simpler. This type of detergent is recommended for most water hardness and soil levels,” says Jones.
And she adds, “High-quality, pre-measured tablets or pods are a great choice as they perform best with various water hardness and soil levels.”
Although if you live in an area with hard water and don’t have the benefit of a water softener, Ruiz suggests ensuring your detergent of choice includes an antiscalant agent for the best cleaning results.
What you should never use in your dishwasher
While it may be tempting to add in your normal dish soap to a load, it’s one product that’s not recommended.
We all run out of dishwasher detergent from time to time, and while it may be tempting to add in your normal dish soap to a load, it’s one product that’s not recommended.
While it’s perfectly safe to use on your dishes when washing by hand, when used in a dishwasher, it creates a thick sudsy foam that can overflow through the appliance door. Whirlpool explains that this is due to the formula of dish soap that relies on suds and bubbles to clean dishes.
Dishwasher detergent is designed to produce low levels of suds and will clean your dishes without creating a build-up of residue in your pipes and appliance, which could eventually lead to blockages. It's for this reason that you should always stick to detergents specifically designed to be used within a dishwasher.
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- Experts say you should never put this common kitchen item in your dishwasher — here’s why
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