Don't Put That In Your Dishwasher!

Interesting note regarding pre-rinsing/cleaning dishes before they go in the dishwasher ... I was having a problem with our dishwasher, I felt it was not cleaning as well as it should. I called in a repair person and, during his visit, he told me that today's dishwashers are built to deal with small food scraps and gunk left on dishes and work better if dishes are not pre-rinsed. Today's detergents are formulated to aggressively attack food residue. If there is little food residue, the detergent will etch your glassware which leaves it looking cloudy (this, I discovered, was my problem). He said that powder detergent is superior in performance to liquid. He also pointed out that pre-rinsing wastes a lot of water and energy which is wasteful and completely unnecessary. I no longer pre-rinse and am much happier with the results. Lastly, to conserve energy and yet dry your dishes quickly, he suggested a "flash dry" technique - open the dishwasher immediately after it shuts off. The hot dishes will quickly give up the moisture and should dry within ten minutes.I am rarely around when the dishwasher finishes washing but, the few times I have tried to "flash dry", it has worked like a charm. This information was new to me at the time so I pass it on hoping you find it interesting and helpful as well :).
 
I always use powder. cheaper. gel is ok - but you have to use less then powder or you will get slimy stuff on outside of door. I used the pack stuff and it works but I always felt it cost so much more even with coupons. I only used the flash dry technique too only if I am in the kitchen and want to start another load right away so it will also cool off faster for the kids to put away.
 
Reba said:
I rinse mine too, because I don't like any lingering

Now, here's another question:

Do you use powder, liquid, gel, gel tabs, or something else for your dishwasher detergent?

I use the gel tabs. They are pre-measured and tidy.
Click to expand...

I make my own dishwasher soap...save $$ in long run and environment friendly...
 
My mom had awesome stainless steel pots and pans that lasted for years and years and years, she used to put them in the dishwasher, the pots and pans themselves are still okay. What didn't survive is the handles, which were plastic and held on with screws. Those didn't make it, no idea if the dishwasher was the culprit, or just time. But I don't put the set I got last year in the dishwasher just in case, even though my handles are also stainless still and held on by rivets? I think that's what they're called.
 
I am another one that is single and a long time dishwasher user. In fact, I bought my first one as a small portable (18 inches wide) while living in an apartment. I never did like washing dishes by hand but have always loaded a dishwasher completely before running.

Because of just running it when full I may well be taking more off when loading than some do with the idea of preventing smells.

I came to prefer power to liquid because it seemed easier to completely empty the package. I am currently using Finish Quantum (capsules as they call them or "tabs"). I am planning to try Cascade Action Pacs and then decide if I want either or go back to powder.
 
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