Brand name dishwashing powder?

[Night Elf]

We buy the store brand of dishwashing powder. Lately, I've been seeing spots on my dishes. I don't ever remember seeing them before. Should I buy a brand name or is this just something that happens? My dishwasher doesn't have a compartment for those rinse liquids. I'm not interested in making my own powder.

[Southern Ivy]

Have you tried switching to the name brand gel detergent or the gel pods?
I use the little gel pods as those have a rinse agent with them. With our hard water, I still have to add liquid rinse aid, but that's just been at this home. Everywhere else, the gel pod has been enough on it's own. 

ETA: I have never had success with store brand on detergents. :( This is one area that I spend the extra money. 

[prairiewindmomma]

Are you using a rinse aid? It's worth it, IMO for the finish power tabs + finish rinse aid. We live in an area with super hard water and we have a water-efficient Bosch dishwasher.

[Um_2_4]

I also only use name brand DW detergent and rinse aid. Store brands did not cut it. But have you tried these if you have no place for the liquid rinse agent.

[SparklyUnicorn]

Try running vinegar through and see if that helps.  I don't use rinse aid.  

 

I do think the brand name stuff works better.  I use Finish.

 

 

[prairiewindmomma]

Lemi-Shine is a powdered rinse agent you could use if you don't have a liquid compartment.

[Pawz4me]

I like the Cascade Complete gel packs.

 

The Finish tabs that so many people seem to love left too much crud on our dishes and silverware.

[Miss Peregrine]

Lemishine or bulk citric acid from Amazon. Works wonders.

[Night Elf]

I also only use name brand DW detergent and rinse aid. Store brands did not cut it. But have you tried these if you have no place for the liquid rinse agent.

 

I've never seen those. I'll see if I can find them and try it out.

 

[Night Elf]

Where in the dishwasher do you put a gel pod?

[redsquirrel]

If you want to just try to see if it helps, get a package of unsweetened Kool-aid and toss the powder in when you start the wash. I have always used lemon b/c there isn't as much dye as with say, cherry. I am concerned the cherry would dye the inside of my dishwasher, lol. I used the lemon and it didn't leave any yellow in the machine. 

 

If that makes it better, yes, the Lemishine or bulk citric acid is the same thing. If your grocery store has a kosher section you can also look for something called "Sour Salt" it is nothing but citric acid and is very inexpensive. I buy the 5oz bottle. It works well in the dishwasher, I toss in a couple teaspoons with every second or third wash. I also use it to deal with toilet bowl stains. I put in about 1 or 2 tablespoons in the toilet, swish and leave overnight. Then brush and flush in the morning and it should look better. It works on stains that are under the water. I get rust or hard water stains in the toilet bowl and citric acid works the best of anything else I have tried.

 

If you are the handy sort, it might also be a sign that your dishwasher could use a good cleaning. About once a year or so dh and I take the machine apart, the spray arms, the food grinder, the tubing, and we clean it all out and wipe down all the seals and workings. It makes a big difference! Our machine is over 10 years old and is working as good as new.

[Ellie]

We buy the store brand of dishwashing powder. Lately, I've been seeing spots on my dishes. I don't ever remember seeing them before. Should I buy a brand name or is this just something that happens? My dishwasher doesn't have a compartment for those rinse liquids. I'm not interested in making my own powder.

 

You cannot buy it in a store, but it's the best: Amway's Automatic Dishwasher detergent. I have been using it since 1987, in both hard and soft water, with different dishwasher brands, and I have always been very pleased. I don't use a rinse aid, even though there's a dispenser for it. And it's economical.

 

You should be able to find a local Amway Independent Business Owner (IBO); if not, PM me. :-)

[Southern Ivy]

Where in the dishwasher do you put a gel pod?

I just throw it in the bottom, but it says to put it in the detergent compartment. 

[KatieJ]

Spend the money and gets name brand detergent. Gel pods are known to gum up dishwashers, probably that's what finished off my last dishwasher. I now use either finish power tablets or cascade powder. I tried Amway, but it leaves my plastic ware cloudy. It also does that in my DIL 's dishwasher. They live across the street from me, so,we think it is something in our water. Wierd. I love Ellie and I love Amway. I have used Amway laundry products for 35 years. You can't pay me to take them out of my house. But the dishwasher powder is a no go here.

😀

[Night Elf]

I just throw it in the bottom, but it says to put it in the detergent compartment. 

 

Yeah, if I put it in the compartment, it will just fall out when I close the door anyway. I didn't know if it needed a basket or something.

[redsquirrel]

Yeah, if I put it in the compartment, it will just fall out when I close the door anyway. I didn't know if it needed a basket or something.

 

it doesn't need a basket.  My friends just toss it when they close the door

[Suzanne in ABQ]

I use Cascade pods, with the rinse aid included.  That works a lot better than straight powder detergent.

 

At certain times of year, though, I get a thick white coating on everything.  During those times, I also use Lemishine.  That stuff is a miracle.  :)

[Chris in VA]

I just use Cascade without a rinse agent and everything is fine.

I do like the advice to clean out the dw from time to time.

We have a warrantee that covers everything--we essentially have a new dishwasher b/c every part (except the racks) has been replaced in the last year or so.

[indigomama]

I use Ecover and love it! It works so well, and we have lived in houses with really hard water and no spots and gets them clean. Plus, no strong smells that I noticed with some other brands.

[KatieJ]

I use Cascade pods, with the rinse aid included. That works a lot better than straight powder detergent.

 

At certain times of year, though, I get a thick white coating on everything. During those times, I also use Lemishine. That stuff is a miracle. :)

 

It might be the pods leaving a residue in your dishwasher gumming up stuff. I was told to never use the pods for that reason.

[LaxMom]

Um... I think you need to clean your dishwasher. That happens no matter what kind of detergent you use. ;)

[Cinder]

I switched to Finish All-in-1 tabs. Every 6 weeks or so Publix has them BOGO--the big box that has 60 tabs at $12 (regular price). I stock up when they go on sale. Since using them I find the dishes rinse really well. I don't rinse the dishes beforehand, just scrape off the big chunks.

 

I tried Cascade and while it worked fine, I could taste the soap scent on my dishes. No one else in my family had this problem, though. I've not had the same issue with Finish.

[J-rap]

Cascade Complete is the only one that gets our dishes crystal clear.  But, we also have to use soft water, or over a period of just a few days, our dishes turn red (iron in the water) and crusty, and don't get clean at all.