ZooRho Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/...etail.html?*** But that didn't even get the dishes cleaner. So she called Proctor & Gamble -- the company that makes her dishwashing powder. "I have been using Cascade powder for years, ever since I had a dishwasher," said Bohn. She was shocked to get this response on the other end of the line: "We've been getting a high volume of calls of complaints because the powder is no longer working. You should stop using it." [/quote] Hmm I buy the really big containers of soap so I have a supply that will last awhile. SO wondering what to do when it runs out. Anyone else have issues Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalicoKat Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/...etail.html?*** But that didn't even get the dishes cleaner. So she called Proctor & Gamble -- the company that makes her dishwashing powder. "I have been using Cascade powder for years, ever since I had a dishwasher," said Bohn. She was shocked to get this response on the other end of the line: "We've been getting a high volume of calls of complaints because the powder is no longer working. You should stop using it." [/quote] Hmm I buy the really big containers of soap so I have a supply that will last awhile. SO wondering what to do when it runs out. Anyone else have issues YES!!! We even bought a new dishwasher. :tongue_smilie: It's the soap. We've switched to the shaklee dishwasher soap that's phosphate free and works great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jplain Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Yep, I noticed that Cascade powder wasn't working well anymore. Coincidentally, the next issue of Consumer Reports that I received reviewed phosphate-free dishwasher detergents. I've switched to Finish Powerball Tabs (the regular ones, not the quantum ones), and I'm very pleased. I buy them at a warehouse club or at Walmart. I like that they are single-serving, so I don't have to worry about whether I'm pouring in more powder or liquid than is necessary. But I'm sure there's a homemade sub that would be good too. Someday I'll get around to researching it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarcyB Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 I've switched to Finish Powerball Tabs (the regular ones, not the quantum ones), and I'm very pleased. I buy them at a warehouse club or at Walmart. This is what we switched to, as well and are really pleased with how they work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/august-2009/home-garden/dishwasher-detergent/overview/dish-detergent-ov.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 I ran a load with vinegar and got rid of all the white residue on my dishes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 :glare: We've been having the same issue, we switched to Cascade, because dh thought it was "the best". :glare: I'll look into the phosphate free ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caitilin Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 We use Ecover dish cubes. No pricier than Cascade, work well, and no nasty side effects either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blessed3x Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 We've switched to the shaklee dishwasher soap that's phosphate free and works great. :iagree: I have been using the Shaklee for years and LOVE it. It always works well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyFL Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 We finally found the solution to our problems after the repair man was already scheduled. We ended up having him come anyway since our warranty was near its end and we wanted to be sure our dishwasher was ok. . When he came he confirmed that all the detergents were changing and we were on the right track. We found Lemi Shine. You put it in WITH your detergent. Main ingredient is citric acid. I notice that Ecover has the same ingredient. It cleared everything up. The repair man said that it's sad but people are actually going out and buying new dishwashers only to find that the new ones have the same problem. It's the change in the detergents to eliminate phosphates that causing the issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 We were having the same problem and changed to a gel which works somewhat better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjzimmer1 Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 I got a hold of one of the phosphate free Cascades ones early this year and it was awful. My dishwasher was only a couple of months old and it had worked well prior to starting that box. Then I researched and realized it was the new formula. Our state had a ban that took effect on July 1 of this year that no one could sell the types with phosphates in it anymore. I'm sure the environmentalists will hate me but at the end of June when the stores were clearancing their remaining inventory out before the ban took effect, I went around and bought every box I could find. I have about 30 boxes stashed away. I figure it will take me a few years to go through my stash and by then I hope the soap manufacturers have come up with something better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoughCollie Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 (edited) Same issues here with Cascade Gel with the grease fighting power of Dawn. P & G agrees it is a problem with this particular Gel product: http://www.cascadeclean.com/en_US/aboutgel.do Here's how to fix it: http://www.cascadeclean.com/en_US/gelfaq.do I'm going to call the customer service number on the bottle to try to get a refund. Their website says stores don't give refunds. Reading some commentary online, I'm rather mad at the company. Many people bought new dishwashers because it didn't dawn on them that Cascade was causing the problem. It didn't dawn on me either. Then I'm going to switch to another brand after a lifetime of using Cascade. Edited October 14, 2010 by RoughCollie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DianeW88 Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 I bought "bootleg" Cascade from a janitorial supply company. :lol: Commercial businesses (restaurants, hospitals, etc.) DON'T have to use phosphate free detergent (because it doesn't clean things), so you can still get the good stuff...you just have to go to a restaurant supply company or janitorial supply place, and see if they'll sell it to the public. Diane W. married for 22 years homeschooling 3 kiddos for 16 years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkTulip Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 I ran a load with vinegar and got rid of all the white residue on my dishes. Sorry for my ignorance on how to do this, but do you run it with just vinegar, or add vinegar in the rinse aid along with your detergent? I have white junk all over my dishes that I can taste on my glasses when I drink just plain water. That can't be good for any of us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoughCollie Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Sorry for my ignorance on how to do this, but do you run it with just vinegar, or add vinegar in the rinse aid along with your detergent? I have white junk all over my dishes that I can taste on my glasses when I drink just plain water. That can't be good for any of us! I ran my dw with vinegar sloshed in the bottom in copious amounts, plus in the rinse-aid container. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebug42 Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 The powder from Trader Joe's works very well - way better than the Cascade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perry Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 Sorry for my ignorance on how to do this, but do you run it with just vinegar, or add vinegar in the rinse aid along with your detergent? I have white junk all over my dishes that I can taste on my glasses when I drink just plain water. That can't be good for any of us! I fill a glass with vinegar and set it on the top rack, leaving the dishwasher otherwise empty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckymama Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 Yesterday we finished my stash of Powerball tabs (not the Quantum type). I had gotten 20 boxes free after coupons 18 months or so ago---we use 1/2 tab per load. After briefly panicing, I googled "natural dishwasher detergent" and mixed up 1/2 baking soda and 1/2 borax powder and used 2T in the dishwasher with vinegar in that little rinse thingie. Holy cow, it worked! The dishes were squeeky clean :) A second load was run this morning with the same results, including squeeky clean plastic containers that had spent some quality time in a backpack :rolleyes: I was going to buy Cascade but reading all your experiences, I'll stick with the hm stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delaney Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 I use washing soda mixed with Borax and then stir in some liquid dawn. Super cheap and the Dawn has beefed up the cleaning power. Note that hard water areas may not have the same luck. ETA: If you really want to degunk the interior run a load with powdered Tang in it. Sparkles!!! Just imagine what it does to your colon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ApronMama Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 This is so helpful--I had forgotten about the phosphate removal and was just thinking about getting a new dishwasher. Guess I'll have to find a different reason to get a new dw! When our state started discussing taking phosphates out of the detergents a few years ago, the newspaper said there would be a "housewife revolt" at the Capitol, as though "housewives" are the only people doing dishes and laundry. I'm proud to be a stay at home mom and housewife, but didn't appreciate the insinuation that detergent quality would be my number one political concern. However, I was--and still am--a little bitter about the phosphate removal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lwilliams1922 Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 Where do you get shaklee? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK_Mom4 Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 What timely info! DH was just talking about needing to replace the dishwasher this weekend! And all along, it's just the Cascade! Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 It's not just the lack of phospate. I use Amway's detergent which is phospate free, and my dishes are just as clean and sparkly now as they were when there was still phosphate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 I googled "natural dishwasher detergent" and mixed up 1/2 baking soda and 1/2 borax powder and used 2T in the dishwasher with vinegar in that little rinse thingie. Holy cow, it worked! The dishes were squeeky clean :) A second load was run this morning with the same results, including squeeky clean plastic containers that had spent some quality time in a backpack :rolleyes: I was going to buy Cascade but reading all your experiences, I'll stick with the hm stuff. Thank you for this tip! My experiment with the above recipe is underway as I write this. FWIW, the Cascade has not been working well for weeks - I wonder if it's a phosphate-free version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZooRho Posted October 15, 2010 Author Share Posted October 15, 2010 interesting I may have to look into that then. I bought "bootleg" Cascade from a janitorial supply company. :lol: Commercial businesses (restaurants, hospitals, etc.) DON'T have to use phosphate free detergent (because it doesn't clean things), so you can still get the good stuff...you just have to go to a restaurant supply company or janitorial supply place, and see if they'll sell it to the public. Diane W. married for 22 years homeschooling 3 kiddos for 16 years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denisemomof4 Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 SERIOUSLY??!!! We're having the service man come to the house for the FIFTH TIME IN A YEAR, SECOND TIME IN TWO WEEKS. Can NOBODY tell me it's the SOAP??!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheBrink Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 We use Ecover dish cubes. No pricier than Cascade, work well, and no nasty side effects either. Me, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amey311 Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 The Tang works for the same reason the "LemiClean" does - it's the citric acid (which is naturally occurring in orange juice and the like). You can probably get citric acid much more cheaply from a soap supply store or a chemical supply place. It's often used in bath bombs :) I had a friend who made cold process soap for a while and had CA in buckets. She used it for all kinds of things, cleaning the dishwasher out being one of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emubird Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 I bought "bootleg" Cascade from a janitorial supply company. :lol: Commercial businesses (restaurants, hospitals, etc.) DON'T have to use phosphate free detergent (because it doesn't clean things), so you can still get the good stuff...you just have to go to a restaurant supply company or janitorial supply place, and see if they'll sell it to the public. Diane W. married for 22 years homeschooling 3 kiddos for 16 years But I read somewhere that they're going to be changing too. It's just not happening as soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emubird Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 Did the Consumer Reports article give any recommendations for dishwasher detergent brands? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 Thank you for this! We've been having a problem for a while now and now it all makes sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary in VA Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 I've switched to Finish Powerball Tabs (the regular ones, not the quantum ones), and I'm very pleased. I buy them at a warehouse club or at Walmart. I like that they are single-serving, so I don't have to worry about whether I'm pouring in more powder or liquid than is necessary. THANKS! I was having trouble with my dishwasher not cleaning and bought these yesterday at YOUR recommendation. They work very well. :001_smile: We still need a new DW, ours is old, but now we can take our time and find one on sale. THanks again! Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lwilliams1922 Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 I just tried the natrual mix suggested above. 1 TBS borax, 1 TBS Baking soda, vinegar in the rinse tray. dishes look cleaner than they have in a long time. No build up or detergent left in or on the glasses go figure. I think I'm tossing the rest of the detergent. It wasnt getting the silverware clean anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giraffe Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 Well for crying out loud. We've been using the Cascade "Complete" dish packs and hadn't noticed too much of a difference, but I'm going to be on the lookout now. DH did say that the "regular" dish packs weren't working well, but the "complete" version seems to do ok. We used Finish powertabs overseas and loved them, don't know why I haven't bought them here. Silly me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenniferlee Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 trader joes dishwasher detergent powder works GREAT for me! Been using it for years now. Phosphate free the whole time Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennW in SoCal Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 OMGs!!!! I'm cracking up over this because we've been battling the stupid residue for months now! I hand washed all of our glasses with vingear several weeks ago and they are once again all cloudy and disgusting. Lo and behold here is a 4 page thread on the topic!!! I'm going to start experimenting with some other detergents now, even perhaps the homemade brew (though our rinse despenser is the stupidest design EVER and I'll go crazy trying to put vinegar in it....) Thank you hive mind!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastalGal Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 All my glasses have a white residue (almost chalky) on them. Is this the same residue others are talking about? I don't notice it on my plates (Corelle), plastic bowls, etc. ...JUST the glasses. I'm currently using a generic brand powder and Jet Dry. I have been researching home-made recipes...such as the one mentioned above. (although I've heard bad things about Borax??) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen500 Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 I made my dh take apart the dishwasher a few months ago because all of a sudden all the dishes were covered w/white residue. Yuck. I've been adding 1/2 cup of vinegar in the bottom of the dishwasher with every load and everything is back to normal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annabel Lee Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 All my glasses have a white residue (almost chalky) on them. Is this the same residue others are talking about? I don't notice it on my plates (Corelle), plastic bowls, etc. ...JUST the glasses. I'm currently using a generic brand powder and Jet Dry. I have been researching home-made recipes...such as the one mentioned above. (although I've heard bad things about Borax??) Weird. The white residue here mainly sticks to plastics, but never to glass. Tang didn't help the stained-up interior of my dishwasher, Iron-Out cleaned it perfectly a few years ago when my mom ran it through, but that stuff is FOUL smelling! You're supposed to only use it in well-ventilated areas, and a house that is shut up tight to keep heat in and cold out isn't very well ventilated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brilliant Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 All my glasses have a white residue (almost chalky) on them. Is this the same residue others are talking about? I don't notice it on my plates (Corelle), plastic bowls, etc. ...JUST the glasses. I'm currently using a generic brand powder and Jet Dry. I have been researching home-made recipes...such as the one mentioned above. (although I've heard bad things about Borax??) This is what I had. I went to Home Depot to ask about a water softener to get my dishes clean. The helpful employee told me that she just puts a custard cup in the top rack of her dishwasher, filled with vinegar. I have been doing it now for months and it works perfectly. Give it a try. BTW, before I started doing this I ran an empty load, but poured a bunch of vinegar in the bottom of the dishwasher. When the load was done, I had big white crystallized plates in the bottom of the dishwasher. I guess it was from the years of mineral buildup - it was very shocking and dramatic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brilliant Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 I am using Seventh Generation detergent which works well in combination with the vinegar rinse. I tried Costco's gel detergent a couple of months ago and it was awful. I ran two loads and each was dirtier than the last. Luckily Costco has their great return policy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallorie Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 Is anyone having the problem of a clogged hose? We cleaned ours out because it wasn't draining (about a month ago) and today it didn't drain again. I switched from a liquid to a powder, Walmart's generic. I have never been able to get my plastic cups free of the white residue, even with vinegar. I'm getting very frustrated with the thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delaney Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 Is anyone having the problem of a clogged hose? We cleaned ours out because it wasn't draining (about a month ago) and today it didn't drain again. I switched from a liquid to a powder, Walmart's generic. I have never been able to get my plastic cups free of the white residue, even with vinegar. I'm getting very frustrated with the thing. Maybe throw some Tang in there! Cleans the dishwasher so why not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsrevmeg Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 Our dishwasher (well, we thought it was the dishwasher) stopped cleaning, then started leaking. I have been hand-washing our dishes for the last few months. I got this newsletter in my e-mail yesterday. It is frustrating to see that some companies really don't care if their products even WORK or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 Yep, I noticed that Cascade powder wasn't working well anymore. Coincidentally, the next issue of Consumer Reports that I received reviewed phosphate-free dishwasher detergents. I've switched to Finish Powerball Tabs (the regular ones, not the quantum ones), and I'm very pleased. I buy them at a warehouse club or at Walmart. I like that they are single-serving, so I don't have to worry about whether I'm pouring in more powder or liquid than is necessary. But I'm sure there's a homemade sub that would be good too. Someday I'll get around to researching it. Thank you for this. I bought some of these yesterday based on your review of them here and I think they might be helping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kat in GA Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 Do you think that you could run tang through an He washing machine?? The afresh that we get for that to prevent the clothes and towels from smelling like mildew is crazy expensive...I wonder if Tang would work just as well. Or where would you get other citric acid "rinses" to clear things out?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparkle Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 The Cascade Complete gel packs seem to work OK, same with Trader Joe's powder. Lately I've been using Method tablets along with Lemi-Shine, and the combo works really well. My glasses are very shiny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaT Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 Do you think that you could run tang through an He washing machine?? The afresh that we get for that to prevent the clothes and towels from smelling like mildew is crazy expensive...I wonder if Tang would work just as well. Or where would you get other citric acid "rinses" to clear things out?? I just buy a bag of citric acid from dudadiesel.com to use in my dishwasher along with the borax and washing powder (I also use a little kosher salt). It works great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 The Tang works for the same reason the "LemiClean" does - it's the citric acid (which is naturally occurring in orange juice and the like). You can probably get citric acid much more cheaply from a soap supply store or a chemical supply place. It's often used in bath bombs :) I had a friend who made cold process soap for a while and had CA in buckets. She used it for all kinds of things, cleaning the dishwasher out being one of them. :iagree::iagree: When I make my own dish cleaner I always add citric acid. And vinegar in the rinse aide dispenser. 0DC4A936-1288-9F12-2588-2C215AD9B13D 1.02.28 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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