Bummed about bio detergent

[USAmma]

I'm trying to make good choices for our family with cleaning products and have slowly been weaning us from the more harmful ones as we run out of them. I just bought some dishwashing detergent at Trader Joes that is eco friendly. We have a brand new dishwasher that has performed well up until now. I put the new detergent in and did a quick rinse (let sit to soak for a few minutes) followed by a regular cycle like I always do. All of the dishes had food particles on them and many didn't get much cleaner than when I put them in. These are things that have always gotten clean before. So I did one more cycle with more Trader Joes soap, even added a glug of vinegar, and it was better but still not nearly as clean as the "bad" stuff. I then went out and bought some bad stuff. I mean, I didn't buy a new dishwasher just so I could put crappy detergent in it and not get things clean. We are on a tight budget so it's hard for us to afford the really expensive eco-friendly stuff.

Any advice on how I can work with this stuff and get clean dishes and be kind to our earth?

Thanks!

Darshani

[Mommy2ZaGirls]

What kind did you buy?

Ecover tabs work better for us (two different houses and three different dishwashers) than the "bad stuff."

[Carmen]

I also use the Ecover tabs. I find that they work OK, but I did notice a difference between them and the stuff I had first bought at teh grocery store when we moved here. The dishes are clean now, but more water spots on them.

[snailmama]

7th generation

I like the 7th generation dishwasher detergent.

[NoHiddenFees]

I've had great luck with Bi-O-Kleen dishwasher detergent. For about $7, a canister will last for about 64 loads. The best part is that unlike using the stuff from the grocery store, I can be in the kitchen when the dishwasher is going. There is occasionally debris on a couple glasses, but this is true no matter what type of detergent I use (cheap dishwasher).

[LaLa]

Yes, some of them stink!
LOL

I find that bakign soda and a squirt of dish soap work well on pre rinsed dishes, but if the dishes aren't rinsed well, then I would opt for Ecover tabs or BiOkleen or something like thta

[USAmma]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll try the 7th Generation brand when I run out again. I bought the Trader Joe's brand of powdered detergent before. At least the "bad stuff" is from CostCo so I can feel good about buying it in bulk. ;-)
It doesn't stink either.

Darshani

[Etoile]

hmm. I had very bad results with 7th generation. I would recommend Bio-Kleen if you can find it.

[snailmama]

the 7th generation

the 7th generation worked great for us... we used it while living with inlaws....
My MIL loved it too.
We did not like the kind from Earth Friendly Products though.

[clovergirl]

i'm in love with the 7th Generation powder kind, its "free&clear" (i believe their gel is scented&colored). most natural products are hit or miss though... kinda sucks since they are more expensive.

on a similar note i am also in love with the 7th generation toilet bowl cleaner! makes our potty minty fresh! LOL

[snailmama]

7th generation

I LOVE 7th Generation!
I use there toliet bowl cleaner too!
We also use their baby wipes, toliet paper, brown paper towels, bathroom and kitchen cleaner...
I didn't like their dishsoap though, I use
Vermont Soapworks Liquid Sunshine and Earth Friendly Products natural almond.
I was using Ecover, but, it has whey in it...and I feel it is unnessasarry.

[boobykinmamma]

I didn't know biokleen made an automatic dishwasher detergent. I use the "bad" stuff, because no natural brand has ever worked for me. A friend even told me that a book she has on natural cleaning products states that dishwasher det. is the only cleaning product that doesn't have an effective natural equivalent. However, it's only necessary to fill each of the containers in the dishwasher half full of soap. I tried it, and it cleans equally well with that amount. I'll have to see if I can find biokleen, though.

[CorbinsMom]

For Darshani

edited because the posts were against the rules of registration - LaLa

[Clarity]

we've been seeing this pitch a lot in Healthy Home in the last few weeks.....grrrr.

[KimberMama]

We tried the Bi-O-Kleen powder and hated it. The dishes weren't clean at all. I even tried using more since the container said you might need more if you have hard water. Yuck! Even with me rinsing every particle of food off the dishes were greasy and covered in film.

Kimberly

[LaLa]

Members: Anytime you see soliciting or spamming on the boards, please let a moderator know via PM or Email

Thanks

[CorbinsMom]

Sorry Y'all....I'm new to healthy living and get a little excited about our products! Please forgive me!
I have thoroughly enjoyed this site, you guys have some great ideas here! Thanks.