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1. DaveB
   Member Profile

   Since we started using non-phosphate detergent the dishes are not clean. We have started rinsing but some things still require a hand wash after.

   Two questions:
   1. Are there any additives I can use that will help clean dishes until we use up the current detergent? After some online research, I found suggestions to add borax (which I tried, it helped a little) or baking soda (haven’t tried it yet).

   2. Any recommended non-phosphate brands that do a good job of cleaning? Since phosphates are going away, it makes sense to seek out non-phosphate products that work well.

   I don't want this post to become a discussion (pro or con) of this change, just looking for ideas.

   Thanks.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

2. The Velvet Bulldog
   Member Profile

   Dave: Here's a list of natural dishwashing detergents:

   http://www.greenyour.com/home/kitchen-cooking/dishwashing/tips/choose-natural-dishwashing-soap

   I currently use Seventh Generation, but I'm not thrilled with it. Would also love to know if someone has found a really effective natural detergent for the dishwasher--thanks for asking the question.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

3. JoB
   Member Profile

   i just bought 7th generation...
   the dishwasher is old so we pre-rinse anyway
   i'll let you know.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

4. CarolPB
   Member Profile

   

   Using Palmolive Eco +. Seems to do fine, but a pre-rinse as well.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

5. mannamc
   Member Profile

   We've used the Ecover tablets for a couple of years now and love them. They worked well in our 20 year old dishwasher and work well in our brand new one too.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

6. Sue
   Member Profile

   

   We've been very happy with Bio-Kleen Automatic Dish Powder. We've been using it for over a year with no complaints, and we never prewash. No problems with dishes coming clean. We don't wash pots in our dishwasher, so I can't speak for that, but the dishes come out great.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

7. timeslid
   Member Profile

   

   DaveB - I had the same problem with the lack of cleaning or rinsing power of the non phosphate detergents. I did find a solution though. BioGreen Clean at 50% strength at the full rinse number works great. No streaks, smell, or bits. It works great on laundry spots too, as-well-as general cleaning.

   http://www.biogreenclean.com/

   Its worth a try.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

8. voodoo
   Member Profile

   

   I use 7th Generation and add baking soda - I put the detergent in the covered detergent dispenser cup-thingy and the soda in the open one. We also pre-rinse our dishes. Seems to work well.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

9. anonyme
   Member Profile

   I use either Bio-Kleen or Seventh Generation, with a natural rinse agent such as Ecover. My dishes have always been spotless - until recently. I suspect the dishwasher needs to be cleaned. I'm wondering if the problem is not the lack of phosphates, but the dishwasher itself?

   Posted 1 year ago #         

10. DaveB
    Member Profile

    Follow-up: I've now tried adding baking soda, which helped a bit. Then I tried a combo of soda and borax (about 1/4 cup of each) which works the best but there are still issues.

    I will look into Big Green Clean but if that doesn't help I may end up forgetting about using the soap I have (which irritates both my thrifty and green sides (sadly I got it at Costco (Kirkland brand) so there is lot)) and trying the brands suggested above.

    Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

11. hammerhead
    Member Profile

    

    I gave up on the eco friendly stuff it just didn't work. I tried everything and have a newer d/w and do a quick pre rinse.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

12. JoB
    Member Profile

    it looks like i too am going to have some eco-friendly dishwasher detergent to donate to anyone who wants it.

    tried the eco-friendly costco brand laundry detergent and already gave that away..

    will be trying the free and clear next :(

    Posted 1 year ago #         

13. waterworld
    Member Profile

    

    Hammerhead: I just want to clarify and make sure you know one thing that's affecting a lot of people, maybe you included: Washington state recently banned phosphates in dishwasher detergent. The law went into effect July 1, 2010, so a lot of people are just now beginning to use phosphate-free dishwasher detergents. If your regular brand was something like Cascade (formerly 7.7% phosphate content), Electro-Sol (formerly 8.7%), or Palmolive Tablets (formerly 8.7%), you may be surprised when you use your first box of the stuff that went on the shelf in the last couple months. I think people who are worried their dishwashers are not working well may actually be having their first phosphate-free experiences.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

14. JoB
    Member Profile

    Hammerhead...

    i didn't notice that one...
    i so don't want to go back to washing dishes by hand:(

    Posted 1 year ago #         

15. Julie
    Member Profile

    

    I'm pretty happy with CitraDish.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

16. lbocken
    Member Profile

    I have tried most of the eco friendly brands and I have discovered three things:

    1. Powders generally work better than liquids. The liquids tend to leave a film.
    2. Meyers is great at first, but after several dozen loads, your plastic starts to smell/taste like lemon verbana.
    3. Ecolever is the closest thing the old (no longer available in WA), phosphate laden Tide.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

17. voodoo
    Member Profile

    

    FYI, at the Anniversary Sale that's going on currently at Fred Meyer, all 7th Generation products are 50% off. I picked up a box of dish detergent for something like $4.50.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

18. Flyonthewall
    Member Profile

    Try researching Consumer Reports - they did a series of tests on dishwasher detergents a couple of years ago when non-phospates were just coming out. They also reviewed phospate ones as well.

    Their conclusions were basically to NEVER use liquid gel detergents in any dishwasher because they do not have long enough temp"s to do the job effectively - so always use a powder - and for non-phospates they picked Trader Joe's brand as #1. They might have updated their testing in the last year or so given all the new brands.

    We used TJ's brand for a while and the cleaning was good, but now we use the Method tablets and they clean really well.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

19. JoB
    Member Profile

    flyonthewall..

    thanks for the heads up...
    i am not impressed with the 7th generation option..
    it left a film on my dishes:(
    and weather permitting i am off to trader joes tomorrow anyway...

    anybody want some 7th generation dishwashing packs?

    joanne at brayden dot org

    Posted 1 year ago #         

20. Flyonthewall
    Member Profile

    Method & 7th Generation are two different products

    Posted 1 year ago #         

21. CarolPB
    Member Profile

    

    I may have to try powder again based on this thread. I found in my old dishwasher that it never desolved all the way, so switched to liquid back then. Yes, I ran the hot water before running.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

22. JoB
    Member Profile

    flyonthewall...

    i haven't tried method yet..

    I stood in front of the powder trader joes dishwashing detergent tonight without buying... i too switched from powders for a reason:(

    buying detergent of any kind just shouldn't be this hard.

    i did try method clothes washing detergent on vacation and haven't stopped itching yet.
    everything i brought home will have to be rewashed:(

    Posted 1 year ago #         

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