Best Dishwasher Detergents

• In order to improve the efficiency of dishwashers, in the mid-1980s there was a need to create special detergents that would cope with stuck-on food and grease. In 1984, chemist Dennis W. Weatherby has invented the first prototype of dishwasher detergents - “Automatic dishwasher detergent composition”. This was the solution registered by "Procter & Gamble" and named "Cascade". Its principle of operation lies in several cleaning stages and this detergent still serves as the basic formula for today’s cleaning products containing bleach.
• The invention of special solutions for dishwashers was a logical step that followed directly the invention of dishwashers themselves. By the way, the first dishwashers were far from ideal. Well, the first models were produced by Miele company which was founded in 1899 by two German entrepreneurs, Reinhard Zinkann and Carl Miele. By that time, they had already become famous thanks to their invention of a bicycle and metal washing machines. In 1929, they launched Europe's first electric dishwasher. This device was top-loading, had a cylindrical shape and could be moved by means of three wheels.
• One year later, US company "Kitchen Aid" took up the baton, but failed. The main reason was Great Depression - if people still had money for an expensive purchase, most of them chose a novelty - refrigerator. The preservation of food was more important than washing dishes. Yet, due to the invention of special detergents, dishwashers became popular after a while. Now this device is highly appreciated by millions of homemakers worldwide.

One more essential thing in any household is a washing machine, so get an efficient laundry detergent to make your clothes fresh and clean!

The choice of detergent for dishwashers is undoubtedly important, but if you don't properly use a dishwasher, you will no way achieve the desired results. So, follow these simple steps to get sparkling dishes. 

• The main thing you need to do is to scrape off the food before placing dishes in the dishwasher. However, take it easy. Nowadays most dishwashers are powerful enough and don't need pre-rinsing. So, it's more like official procedure or just waste of time.
• Load bowls and plates in the bottom of the dishwasher. Make sure that their dirty sides face the water spray.
• Put pans, pots, and cookware around the other dishes, along the sides and back of the rack. Do not place them in front since they might block the water sprayer.
• Place forks and spoons in the silverware rack but don't nest them together. In order all the surfaces get washed - put some handles up while others down.
• Arrange glasses, mugs and cups between the tines so as to prevent water spots. 
• As we have already mentioned, it's prohibited to use other cleaning products or liquids for dishwashers. So, choose only a special dishwasher detergent. Put such detergent in the soap dispenser, but don't overdo. 
• Since every dishwasher machine is different, always read a manual to select a proper washing cycle. 

Hopefully, these rules will help you achieve the best cleaning results. 

Ready, set, go!

If you sometimes wash dishes by hand, you surely need to use mild and good-quality dish soap.

How can a particular ingredient contained in a dishwashing detergent, affect your cookware and silverware? Let us consider some of the most common elements.

• The first - is a substance which contains alkali like phosphates, sodium carbonate and bleach. Chlorine and oxygen are also used in the production of these components. And if the agent contains chlorine or phosphates, it must be indicated on the packaging. Such detergents are considered to be sufficiently effective but, at the same time, very harmful to health and the environment. Also, they are not recommended for silver and aluminum products. But oxygen-based detergents can be used for almost all types of dishes, except for crystal.
• The second group - is low-alkaline substances that become efficient only when the water temperature reaches 104 degrees F and more; the reason is the presence of enzymes. So, if you've chosen one of the low-alkaline detergents, make sure to select an appropriate temperature. Note that medical professionals claim that high temperatures are very useful since all harmful germs disintegrate.

Planning a spring cleaning? For that, you may want to stock up on some glass cleaners we offer in our other review.

In our review, we have already noted the dangerous impact of harmful substances such as phosphates and chlorine. And in order to determine whether these harmful components remain on your dishes, we suggest you conduct an experiment. Attach litmus paper to a newly-washed shiny plate and watch the reaction. If the color of litmus paper changes and becomes similar to green, your detergent contains surfactants and phosphates. And what is more importantly, these harmful elements have not been washed off completely.

For efficient and quick cleaning of clogged drains and septic systems, we recommend you to get a special drain cleaner.

Modern life is simply impossible to imagine without a variety of detergents. They can be bought in almost every shop, supermarket, and in most online stores. But a few hundred years ago, people were unfamiliar with such kind of household cleaning products.

Well, when were the first detergents introduced? Like the famous Newton's law, the first detergent was invented by chance. Historians theorize that it happened in ancient times. Once, while preparation of food on fire, a drop of animal grease accidentally got to the ash (which is an alkaline element). As a result, this strange chemical composition could be washed off only with mud.

Only in the I century AD, the soap was used as a hygienic product. But, five thousand years earlier, Middle East countries had used soap-like substances for treatment and disinfection of wounds. All the substances were natural as they contained no artificial ingredients. Speaking about the synthetical solution, it was created by German Fritz Guenther only in 1916. This product was very acid, hence, could be used only in industry.

Soap for home use, which would be safe and wouldn't harm skin, appeared only 20 years later. Around the same time, the first synthetic detergent for dishes appeared. At the moment, manufacturers are very concerned about making their detergents safe, therefore many of them produce household chemicals that do not cause harm to human health and the environment.

Keep all your wet cookware, plates, cups, and other utensils on a dish rack so that they could get dry quicker, making no mess on your countertop.