http://www.care2.com/greenliving/green-automatic-dish-detergent.html
Green Automatic Dish Detergent?
Hello Annie,
I am new to this Web site (2 weeks I think). I have been buying organic and eco-healthy for some while, however, I cannot find a dishwasher detergent that works. The Ecover brand did an extremely poor job as does Seventh Generation. Any ideas?
–Megan, CO
Hi Megan,
Welcome! Dish detergent is one of the only areas left where there isn’t an adequate green product, especially if you have hard water! While the green automatic dish detergent products are much better than they were 10 years ago, by not using phosphates the green products are at a disadvantage. (Phosphates cause algae bloom in lakes and streams.) What I do in my own home is to use a green brand most of the time, and every few months I buy a mainstream brand and wash the dishes for a few cycles using that and then returning to the green brand. The mainstream brand does get all the cloudiness off the glasses.
I know that the green cleaning companies are working hard on this problem so we can hope they get it right soon.
Cheers,
Annie
related stories
-
Until now, if you have hard water, the most difficult…
(10 comments)
-
If we want water coming in our taps to be clean, we need to…
(15 comments)
-
annie
I use a fancy all natural scouring powder, but it is SO…
(3 comments)
Annie B.
Melissa
Jana
Kelly
Lily
Terri
Betsy
Cait
Eric
Andrew
Dave
Deepak
34 comments
add your comment »I also use Shaklee and can vouch that it works very well. I have used the same container for months!
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
to make a dishwasher pretty inside, run a cycle with a package of Lemon Kool-Aid. It comes out all shiny and nice.
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I make my own using soapnuts and create a liquid soapnuts tea. I use vinegar in the rinse agent cup and for heavy loads I add a few whole soapnuts into the silverware tray. I have been thrilled with the outcome. Even my everyday dishes look shiny and new and my flatware sparkles.
If you don't know about soapnuts, visit my blog for more uses and details. http://soap-nuts.info
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I triede Shirley E's suggestion to use vinegar in the jetdry container and this works great! I use Bi-o-kleen detergent in the second washing cup (none in the first wash) and the vinegar: my dishes and glasses are sparkling! Thanks Shirley E.
Some of you might want to consider a more efficient dishwasher. They cost more but payoff in the long run.
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I swear the Ecover dishwasher tablets work better than the mainstream products. Actually, I have more of a problem with liquid dish soap for handwashing - I don't think it cuts grease well enough unless using really hot water.
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I wash my dishes by hand. Works fabulously! Can't let my 18 y.o. do it though. She uses too much soap and leaves the water running the entire time. aaaagh!
What do people use who hand wash their dishes?
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I know this isn't about diswasher detergent, but I'm going to post this little eco tip about replacing your Jet dry liquid with vinegar, it leaves my dishes sparkling clean with out any spots, also not more of the chemicals from the dry agent going into the water....hope this helps
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I don't seem to have any problem using the Ecover dishwasher tablets, and we have very hard water. I pre-wash all my dishes to remove larger food particles, so that may make a difference. I also use the Ecover liquid detergent for the pre-washes or for soaking those really tough dishes. I'm trying to get my family in the habit of rinsing all dishes right after using them, to avoid excess pre-washing later.
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I have recently been making up my own detergent because I too do not like the green ones available. I got a recipe from "Green Up Your Cleanup" by Jill Potvin Schoff It works great! (I don't know if it's legal to give the exact formula, but it has citric acid, borax, and essential oil)
Check out the book, it has great green tips!
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I have found that tablets (ecover or method) work much better than any of the eco powder detergents. For really dirty loads I use an ecover tablet and a touch of seventh generation gel in the extra compartment.
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?