Detox for the Dishwasher: Seventh Generation Free & Clear Automatic Dishwashing Detergent
It has taken me awhile to get around to this one because I was given a ton of dishwashing tablets when I first got my machine. I liked them…Electrasol. Then about a year ago BJs had a sale and I bought a years worth…without really taking note of the phosphate level…which is apparently reeeeeeeeeeaaaallly high. It is seriously higher than even our government allows…not sure how they managed that one. Now that I’ve run out of the stuff I decided to give a more earth friendly brand a try.
Price…5.49 for 45 ozs. Which is 2x the price of Electrasol powder. I was using the tabs, which are about 2x the 7th generation price. So…for a powder it is expensive…but I’m still saving money.
Packaging…Made from 100% recycled paper and is completely recyclable. Since it is a powder there are no little plastic wrappers like the Electrasol tabs.
Performance…Mixed reviews. It definately leaves some residue, especially in the sippy cups…which means extra water to rinse those clean. It was better when I switched my machine from light cycle to regular cycle…but again that is more water and more energy. But…no chlorine and no phosphates. I think the detox method even with its increased demand for water, electricity and effort wins. I am going to stick with it. Now that I know about the evil in my ol’ Electrasol I can’t go back…even though it made my dishes really sparkely. Doesn’t knowledge suck sometimes.
I’ve never had any problem with this dishwashing powder. I don’t fill my dispenser al the way up and we don’t put regular glasses in there, but everything works well for us. We use normal rinse and energy saver dry cycles.
This was the first detergent I tried after my electrasol ran out, too. I had similar issues – the residue. My dishes never really seemed to be clean either.
Tried BioKleen’s powder after that. I like it, but it comes in a plastic tub. My latest is Ecover’s liquid detergent. I like that one the best so far, but again it’s packaged in plastic. Once it’s gone I am going to try their powder version in a cardboard box.
Have you tried vinegar as a rinse agent yet? I am currently using Wave Jet, but have heard good things about using vinegar.
I use the Ecover powder and don’t notice anything. But then my standards have been drastically diminished for a while.
When the box is finished I will try the Ecover powder and see if the results are better. I’m not sure how the vinegar rinse would work. If I poured straight vinegar into the little cuppy on the door it would just leak out, no? It seems like it would have to be in a gel form or something.
I use Ecover powdered detergent and noticed residue also. The trick has been to use less; you don’t need to fill up the holder. Saves you soap too!
Also, I try not to jam as much in. I still run a full load, just not an overfull one.
My dishwasher has a separate rinse aid compartment – looks like a dial in the door next to the soap things. Turn the dial and a cap comes out, then you can pour in the vinegar. I’ve used both Jet Dri and white vinegar and the vinegar works just as well on our nasty hard water.
I run the dishwasher in our rental house once a month to keep it from sticking. I’ve just been using about 1-2 tbs washing soda for the “detergent” and vinegar for the rinse. Dishes come out fine.
I use Trader Joe’s “Next to Godliness” dishwasher soap in my dishwasher- I have notice no residue. Gets the dishes clean.
[...] hasn’t been a whole lot to begin with. A few weeks back I reviewed their dish washer detergent and gave them a generous…doesn’t completely suck. Ahhhh…what a naive [...]
[...] to the world, I moved on. Went looking for a "good guy" and found myself in the arms of 7th Generation. Yeah…he’s a good guy…comes in recycled/recyclable packaging, nice to the [...]