Dishwashing detergent: liquid or powder?
@above31rubies (1863)
United States
March 21, 2008 9:41am CST
I have always used liquid, but my new dishwasher is being a stinker and I don't know that it likes the liquid much?!? There was white powdery stuff all over my dishes this morning that I *think* was dried foam...I tried rinsing but that didn't work too well. I am rewashing using less soap.
I don't like powder because it makes a mess. But I know someone who insists it is better for the dishwasher, though I don't think they have ever explained why...lol.
The dishwasher came with Electrosol tabs- they were very handy to use and I had no problems. But, Hubby just grabbed what we always used to get and I didn't think it would be a problem.
We are using a water softener, well water, and a septic system which is all new to me and maybe that is causing the issues.
So, my question is what do you use and why? And what type of water do you have?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
21 Mar 08
Well, I do dishes by hand and I live in the city so I have city water and I use liquid detergent. Powder detergent would not work well when doing dishes by hand. I like dawn detergent better than I do any others.
@above31rubies (1863)
• United States
24 Mar 08
I like dawn too for hand washing. No, powder wouldn't work so well for that...lol. Thanks for responding.
@AmbiePam (92719)
• United States
22 Mar 08
I use Cascade with Dawn 2 in one action packs, and I love it. I just get it out of the packet it comes in, and since it is encased in plastic that dissolves in the wash, I get nothing on my hands, nor can I spill anything. It is citrus breeze scented, so the smell is nice as well. I don't know what kind of water I have. My guess would be hard. But this stuff is reasonably priced, and I don't have any residue afterward.
1 person likes this
@above31rubies (1863)
• United States
24 Mar 08
I saw those at the store when I checked pricing on the electrosol tabs. That would be nice not getting it on my fingers- I don't like even feeling like I have anything like that on my hands. Thank you for your response!
1 person likes this
@quirkyjessi (31)
• United States
24 Mar 08
I actually don't like liquid 'or' the powder. I recently fell in love with those little tablets and they work wonders.
1 person likes this
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
21 Mar 08
I use liquid. I have only bought powder a few times and then it was because I didn't have much money and I needed to wash some clothes. I got a few small boxes of powder from the dollar store. I like the liquid better because I don't have to worry about it not dissolving like the powder sometimes does.
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@above31rubies (1863)
• United States
24 Mar 08
I have seen the powders do that sometimes, too. Thanks for your response
@o2bnocn (2992)
• United States
21 Mar 08
We use powder because it is cheaper. We have tried one or two liquids and they do smell to me. One smelled like a dirty diaper. I think the tabs work the best but are expensive. We have to run the dishwasher at least once a day so we cannot afford those. So we use the powder. It last longer and is cheaper. I've seen our dishes come out with this dirty grimy stuff in the bottom of glasses. You might want to try cleaning your dishwasher every now and then. That always helps us if our dishes aren't coming out all the way clean.
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@above31rubies (1863)
• United States
21 Mar 08
I haven't looked at the prices yet as I haven't been to the store, but I figured they would cost too much- we do dishes once or twice a day here. The dishwasher shouldn't need to be cleaned yet...I've only had it a week...and it wasn't installed for a few days after that...lol.
@above31rubies (1863)
• United States
24 Mar 08
Well, the person I mentioned finally said it is something to do with enzymes or something that the powder has that the liquid doesn't. 
I prefer liquid, too, for it's ease.
I prefer liquid, too, for it's ease.