August 2008
Dishwasher detergents: Which shine?
Supermarket shelves are chockablock with liquids, pacs, powders, and tablets that promise to get even the dirtiest dishes,
glasses, pots, and pans sparkling clean. But some detergents stand out among the many brands in stores.
A powerful combo works. Cascade detergents topped the Ratings (available to our subscribers) in our detergents review, proving strong at cleaning and preventing redeposits and water spots; they were also gentle on glass and silver. Three newer Cascades have what the manufacturer calls a "Hydroclean Action" bleach-and-enzyme formula. Enzymes appear to be important to superior performance. These molecules that break down food deposits distinguish effective detergents from poor ones. Indeed, the five lowest-scoring cleaners (and one midlevel detergent) lack them.
Green can clean. Phosphates help boost the cleaning power of detergents, but they also harm the environment by encouraging algae growth in freshwater. Of the six phosphate-free cleaners tested for this detergents review, five have enzymes. The Ecover tablet and powder and Seventh Generation do a good to excellent job cleaning. The Seventh Generation is reasonably priced, making this eco-friendly cleaners an attractive option.
Washington state has banned the sale of household detergents with more than 0.5 percent phosphorous; the law went into effect in some areas on July 1, 2008, and will take hold statewide two years later. Several other states have introduced similar legislation.
A powerful combo works. Cascade detergents topped the Ratings (available to our subscribers) in our detergents review, proving strong at cleaning and preventing redeposits and water spots; they were also gentle on glass and silver. Three newer Cascades have what the manufacturer calls a "Hydroclean Action" bleach-and-enzyme formula. Enzymes appear to be important to superior performance. These molecules that break down food deposits distinguish effective detergents from poor ones. Indeed, the five lowest-scoring cleaners (and one midlevel detergent) lack them.
Green can clean. Phosphates help boost the cleaning power of detergents, but they also harm the environment by encouraging algae growth in freshwater. Of the six phosphate-free cleaners tested for this detergents review, five have enzymes. The Ecover tablet and powder and Seventh Generation do a good to excellent job cleaning. The Seventh Generation is reasonably priced, making this eco-friendly cleaners an attractive option.
Washington state has banned the sale of household detergents with more than 0.5 percent phosphorous; the law went into effect in some areas on July 1, 2008, and will take hold statewide two years later. Several other states have introduced similar legislation.
