Does it matter what kind of dishwasher detergent you use? Can the wrong detergent lead to clogged pipes or a shorter life for your dishwasher?
Here are a few things to know.
How Does Dishwasher Detergent Work?
Modern dishwasher detergents use enzymes to break down foods, which works better than old-fashioned phosphate-powered detergents. Enzymes in detergents work in much the same way as the enzymes in your stomach; by “digesting” food.
According to this article on cnet.com, once detergent dissolves in water, “the enzyme leaps into action. As the warm water is sloshed and squirted around inside your dishwasher, the enzymes attack the stains, breaking the long chains of protein and starch down into smaller and smaller parts. Eventually, these chunks are small enough to be dissolved in water, and the surfactants and other chemicals in the detergent help to lift the grunge from your dishes and hold it in the water, which is flushed away.”
What Kind Of Dishwasher Detergent Should You Use?
Dishwasher pods are a popular choice for getting dishes clean. We like them because they’re premeasured, so you never use too little or too much detergent per load. This saves money and helps keep residue from building up (a.k.a. fewer cloudy dishes).
They’re also effective. Tests by various sources, including Consumer Reports, note that pods do a better job of cleaning your dishes than liquid detergents.
And, contrary to a popular misconception, pods do not clog your pipes.
Drawbacks are environmental: pods are detergent encased in skins that break down into microplastics. For a more environmentally sound option, choose powder for its cardboard box.
To Pre-Rinse Or Not Pre-Rinse?
Many online sources agree that pre-rinsing is no longer needed. In fact, putting gunkless dishes into your dishwasher may, paradoxically, lead to dirtier dishes. This is because the dishwasher could sense that the dishes are less clean, leading to a subsequently lighter wash and rinse cycle.
It’s also because enzymes target dirt. When your dishes have food stuck to them, enzymes will cling to dish surfaces and get to work. If they have nothing to adhere to, they may just wash right down the drain.
Scrape? Yes. Remove as much food waste as you can and toss it into your compost or trash bin. Capital’s lead plumber, Travis Justice, says to pay particular attention to this step. “Don’t leave three tablespoons of mashed potatoes on the plate,” he says.
Pre-rinse? No. Skipping the rinse saves water and actually helps your detergent do a better job. Justice notes, however, that you should familiarize yourself with your appliance. Know what your particular dishwasher can (and cannot) handle — and act accordingly. Check your manufacturer’s instructions and follow its recommendations.
Side Note: Clean Your Dishwasher
Justice notes that many of our customers regularly clean their dishwashers, inside and out, to remove built-up food particles and clear your machine’s discharge lines.
Empty the food filter periodically and clean it using warm, soapy water. Then use simple cleaners, such as white vinegar and baking soda, to freshen the inside of your dishwasher. Use whatever type of cleaning product your manufacturer recommends for the outside of your dishwasher door.
Sources
Appliance Science: How dishwasher detergents digest food stains, cnet.com, March 16, 2016
How to Clean a Dishwasher (Quickly!), AD It Yourself, October 4, 2023
How to properly load a dishwasher: ‘If you pre-rinse it might actually come out dirtier’, The Guardian, December 25, 2020
I Asked 4 Plumbers To Name the Best Dishwasher Detergent—They All Said This, Simply Recipes, October 24, 2024
Smarter: Which Is Better, Dishwasher Pods, Liquid, or Powder?, Consumer Reports, April 5, 2023