Superb cleaning is practically a given for new dishwashers these days. A recent rating by Consumer Reports showed that most models delivered excellent performance without prerinsing — something no dishwasher should require.
When it comes to the detergents that do the dirty work, however, some are clearly better than others. Enzymes make the difference between an outstanding detergent and one that's just as dull as dishwater.
In tests of 20 products, all those judged by Consumer Reports as very good or excellent contained enzymes, which dissolve starches and proteins. Most nonenzyme detergents were merely fair. But you won't see the word "enzymes" trumpeted on the packages of those containing them. If it's there at all, it will be listed with the ingredients or mentioned in the cautions.
The magazine's tests also showed that:
• Gels aren't very effective. Enzymes aren't usually compatible with gel formulations. Only one enzyme detergent tested — Cascade Complete, which at 35 cents per load was one of the most expensive in the lineup — is a gel. Although very good, it scored lowest among all enzyme products.
• A familiar brand name isn't always a top performer, while some store brands (such as Trader Joe's and Costco's Kirkland label) can be standouts.
• "Green" products can get dishes clean. Most dishwasher detergents contain phosphates, which enhance cleaning ability. Phosphates also have a reputation for being environmentally harmful because they promote the growth of algae. But enzyme-containing powders from Trader Joe's (19 cents per load), Seventh Generation (25 cents) and Ecover Natural (37 cents) are phosphate-free.
In tests gauging how well detergents removed a caked-on puree of sticky, starchy foods, two products provided the best combination of performance and price. Great Value (an enzyme-containing powder sold at Wal-Mart) and Electrasol Dual Action Tabs (an enzymatic tablet) excelled at cleaning and at preventing dirt from settling back on dishes. Both CR Best Buys, they cost 9 and 13 cents, respectively, per load.
Great Value is an excellent choice whether you have hard water or soft because it minimized hard-water spots and prevented glasses washed in soft water from looking filmy. Electrasol Dual Action Tabs also minimized soft-water filminess, but left some hard-water spotting.
Other excellent enzyme products that minimized these two common problems were Trader Joe's Powder, Cascade 2 in 1 Action Pacs (packets that cost 20 cents per load), Cascade Complete (powder, 27 cents), Cascade Pure Rinse Formula (powder, 19 cents), Electrasol 2 in 1 Tabs with PowerBall (tablet, 22 cents) and Kirkland Signature # 49453 (powder, 17 cents).
Top performers among nonenzyme detergents were Cascade Pure Rinse Formula (gel, 24 cents per load) and Sun Light 2 in 1 Dual Action Formula (powder, 13 cents). They scored merely "good" overall, although both minimized hard-water spotting and soft-water clouding.
You can also reduce spotting by using a rinse aid such as Jet-Dry. To get your dishes their cleanest, face the dirtier side of the dishes toward the center. (This provides better exposure to the spray.) Also, keep large items at the sides and back so they don't prevent the spray from reaching the detergent dispenser. And be sure to separate dishes and utensils slightly so that water reaches all surfaces.
You can save water by skipping your dishwasher's prerinse stage and by running only full loads. If you don't like leaving dirty dishes unwashed, run the rinse-and-hold cycle, which uses about two gallons of water.
Copyright 2005, Consumers Union
