septic and dishwasher -- is powdered detergent okay?

[notamommayet]

I don't know if I'm posting this in the right place...but this seemed to make the most sense out of all the other categories.

We have a new-ish (I think it's an '09...we bought it used) KitchenAid dishwasher with a stainless-steel interior. We also have a septic system.

I think we have hard water because there is a lot of whitish residue left inside the dishwasher (especially on the bottom and on the door) after a cycle. Strangely, though, our glasses come out sparkling! (We do use a rinse-aid.)

So I've been doing some research and am getting confused. The guy who installed our septic told us to never ever use anything powdered...apparently it can cause clogging? But when I was reading about the best detergents to use for hard water, I found information saying that gel detergent is "the scum of the earth" and causes the gaskets to erode and other issues.

So, I'm wondering what others in my situation do. Is powdered detergent safe for septic? If so, do you think powdered or gel is better? If not, which gel do you think works best with hard water? (And I'd like something fairly eco-friendly...we avoid phosphates and bleach.)

[Farmer'sWife]

I've lived with a septic system all my life and I've never heard that you shouldn't use powered detergent.  We had a new one installed 4.5 years ago and were not told then either.  FWIW, I use powered detergent in my dishwasher and laundry.

[Erinz]

If it is a possibility, have you ever considered doing a grey water system with it instead of forcing your septic to deal with it? The only thing that goes into our septic is toilet water.

[mattemma04]

Before we got a HE front load washing machine I used powder laundry soap. I would not think it will be an issue.Do you have someone checking your septic? We have aerators and the septic gets checked 2 times a year.If it was checked I am sure they could tell if it was causing problems.

[GardenStream]

I've heard lots of "do not use with a septic system" things, but powdered detergent is a new one.  I've always used it and haven't had an issue.

[limette]

I was just reading a post about septic systems on another forum and a septic installer said that all this stuff you're supposedly not supposed to put in your septic is all bull.  The only thing he came across in 20 years being an issue was Dreft laundry detergent. 

I have read elsewhere that powdered dishwasher detergent is fine.

[notamommayet]

Limette...could you post the link to the other forum you were reading?

[limette]

i think it was on homesteading today.

[CCJWGM]

Originally Posted by limette 

I was just reading a post about septic systems on another forum and a septic installer said that all this stuff you're supposedly not supposed to put in your septic is all bull.  The only thing he came across in 20 years being an issue was Dreft laundry detergent. 

I have read elsewhere that powdered dishwasher detergent is fine.

hmm...that is interesting.  Maybe he is assuming that you regularly get your septic pumped which, uh, I suppose you should. (blushing)   But I always operated on the keep your septic healthy so you don't have to pay to have it pumped as often theory of life. 

I have never heard of not using powdered detergent on a septic. FWIW, when we had a septic and dishwasher at the same time we used BioKleen Liquid Dishwasher Detergent with no problems.