Dishwasher Detergents For Hard Water

Dishwasher detergent, there are a ton out there priced low to high. But which ones are the best. How good are these dish washing detergents and how clean can they get your dishes? Well, if you have been noticing that your dishes have been dull and cloudy lately hold off on blaming your dishwasher itself. A little over a year ago many manufacturers have opted to make their products phosphate free dishwasher detergents as an attempt to protect the environment. That little change in their product has meant also a change in how well their products work.

A Top 5 Best Dishwasher Detergent Review

This was a topic really important to me when I moved into my apartment two years ago and it came with a dishwasher. Before that time I always hand washed my dishes, and so when I got a dishwasher it was my first time using one and to be honest I had no clue how to use one.

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Cascade Complete Pacs Lemon Burst Scent Dishwasher Detergent, 16-Count “Pack of 2”
Amazon Price: $7.94
List Price: $10.29

Well, I came across this video from Today Show correspondent Janice Lieberman where she reviewed the best dishwasher detergents based on Good Housekeeping Magazine’s article “Soaps that Sparkle” (cute name).

Now to be fair each one of these products was tested hard. Each one of these products had to clean baked on egg yolks, baked on mac and cheese, burnt milk, caked on oatmeal, lipstick and more. All without rinsing.

It’s also important to note that not any of the 35 detergents tested got everything absolutely clean.

Best Dishwasher Detergents Tablets

The best dishwasher detergent tablets from this test was Finish Quantum, Cascade Complete Pack, and Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Packets. The great thing about Mrs. Meyers Clean Day packs that gets me to REALLY want to try their products is that they are Aromatherapeutic and have scents like Basil, Lavender, and even lemon. Which means they will make your kitchen smell so, so good 🙂 That is a plus in my book. An added bonus is that it removes stains like coffee and tea without phosphates or chlorine, which is great for the environment, and it is really good for hard water as well.

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Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Auto Dishwashing Packs, Basil, 20 count (Pack of 6)
Amazon Price: $41.14
List Price: $58.77

The Best Liquid Dishwasher Detergent

Among the liquid detergents Cascade Complete gel was the favorite for glass and flatware. This one was also of favorite of mine. Bringing up the rear and the best dishwashing detergent for your buck at .10 cents a wash was Walmart’s Great Value Dishwasher Powder. That one surprised the heck out of me.

Now all great products aside there are more things to consider when using your dishwasher that will also help you further on getting your dishes cleaner. These tips are:

Make sure your tap water is hot BEFORE you turn on your dishwasher
Use more soap if you have hard water.
Load your dishwasher correctly. Don’t overload your washer and remember to have everything face the water jets that are coming in.
If you see a film on your glasses use a little vinegar in the cycle with water and it will make your glasses sparkle (I have actually filled a glass measuring cup with vinegar and placed it on the top rack without any dishes and let it run.)
If you have hard water use a little borax and that will help clean it out.
Make sure you choose the right water cycle because it really does make a difference.

This was a great little video that was pretty informative and I learned a bit from it. If you would like to watch the Today Show video on the Top 5 dishwasher detergents you can do so here.