dishwasher soap?

[wasatchmom]

what do you all use for dishwasher detergent? i know mine from costco has got phosphates and i'd like to get away from that. thanks for the ideas.

[crayon]

We use Dish Drops- they are Kosher and dermatologically tested. They also cost over 55% less than Cascade Complete. You have to buy them from a wholesaler so let me know if you are intrested- the price for powder is 10.25 for 47 loads or 16.20 for 75 loads. Wholesale is cheaper.

And it removes stains and buildup great- I used the liquid soap at a friends home and we put a knife that was used to cut fresh brownies and she just put it in the luke warm water and we went back in about 20 min and it was totally clean- she was so suprised- we didnt even touch it with a rag.

[LaffNowCryLater]

Haven't tried it myself but has anyone else tried Allen's Naturally?

[quest4quiet]

We use baking soda. You can also put vinegar in where the rinse aid stuff goes and it works great. We used to use Ecover. It's availabe at most hfs, but it can get pricey after a while.

[DesireeH]

I tried 2 of the natural brands but they left everything all splotchy and greasy looking......I tried 7th generation and a Trader Joe brand but I always end up going back to Cascade Complete.........I suck I know.

[mom2zsel]

Originally Posted by quest4quiet

We use baking soda. You can also put vinegar in where the rinse aid stuff goes and it works great. We used to use Ecover. It's availabe at most hfs, but it can get pricey after a while.

Really!! I had wondered if that would work. How much do you use? Thanks!

[yitlan]

Originally Posted by LaffNowCryLater

Haven't tried it myself but has anyone else tried Allen's Naturally?

I do! I think it works as well as Ecover and MUCH better than Wave (my two previous phosphate-free attempts). Wave would just not dissolve completely! Allens has absolutely no scent, as well, great for those that are sensitive. Not great for many in the public that just MUST have a lemon-scented plate. I also like the packaging. Comes in a half-gallon milk-type jug. Easy to pour. The pour spouts on the other boxes from Ecover or Wave would drive me nuts!

Let me know if you have other specific questions.....

[angelove]

We use baking soda. You can also put vinegar in where the rinse aid stuff goes and it works great.

I would love to know more about this too please.

[Amydoula]

We use Citra-dish by Citra-Solv. I LOVE it! I can get it through my co-op fairly inexpensively. There isn't that "smell" in the air like when you use Cascade. There is no bleach, no synthetic perfumes or dyes, no phosphates, EDTA or NTA in it. I am also one of those gals who does NOT rinse the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher (too lazy I guess ) and they always come out clean. If you want to know all the ingredients just post and I'll copy them off the box.

Amy

[srain]

Originally Posted by DesireeH

I tried 2 of the natural brands but they left everything all splotchy and greasy looking......I tried 7th generation and a Trader Joe brand but I always end up going back to Cascade Complete.........I suck I know.

Me too- the natural brands just don't work for me. I've also tried adding baking soda, vinegar as a rinse, etc. and none of it seemed to help. I think a lot must depend on your water and dishwasher.

[crunchymomma]

Originally Posted by quest4quiet

We use baking soda. You can also put vinegar in where the rinse aid stuff goes and it works great. We used to use Ecover. It's availabe at most hfs, but it can get pricey after a while.

I'd love to learn more about this, too! Does it get your dishes as clean? Will I have to get off my lazy butt and actually rinse the dishes before putting them in the washer? <shudders>

[rowantree]

im in the midst of getting off my lazy butt right now. baking soda is working fime, but Im a bad rinser - hard new habit to learn

[momto l&a]

I used vinegar in my once new dishwasher and etched it up. Needless to say I went back to a rinse aid.

I have tried baking soda and borax mixture for the dishwasher, it worked ok most of the time.

I have gone back to the big bucket of soap at Costco. It works very well for us and our water.

[smeta]

I think some of the natural dw soaps work differently w/ different machines and water. I always used 7th gen. powder, but it didn't work too well when we moved and had a new dw. So I switched to the liquid, but still wasn't very happy w/ it. Maybe I'll try Allen's next.

[Meiri]

I read the back labels of all the detergents at the store and went with the one with the lowest phosphate level, which happens to be Palmolive brand. FWIW