05.17.12
Once again, Consumer Reports is dishing on dishwasher detergents—and it says few leave dishware sparkling based on the non-profit’s latest tests.
Overall, Finish Powerball Tabs and Cascade Complete All In 1 ActionPacs earned the highest marks in CR's Ratings of nonphosphate gels, liquids, packs, pods, powders and tablets.
Finish Quantum, top-rated in the last round of tests, slipped to third place because of its performance in CR's new hard-water tests.
In tests, many dishwasher detergents left food stuck to plates or pots.Finish Powerball Tabs, the only CR Best Buy, and Cascade Complete All In 1 ActionPacs, a CR Recommended product, both cleaned dishes and pots well and dishware washed in these detergents didn't have water spots, white film, or discolored aluminum.
Detergents from Great Value (Walmart) and Kirkland Signature (Costco) didn't clean very well either, according to Consumer Reports.
In its latest tests, Consumer Reports added hard-water performance to the Ratings of models first reported on in October 2011.CR began this test last year in response to readers comments about a white film or cloudy buildup on dishware.The Laundress and Method Smarty Dish earned the lowest marks for film and discoloring.
And, while no type of detergent was best overall, liquids and gels tended to fall towards the bottom of Consumer Reports' Ratings.Whatever the detergent, consumers can get cleaner dishes by adding a rinse agent, making sure the water is hot (120°), separating flatware, and facing dirty dishes towards water jets.
Overall, Finish Powerball Tabs and Cascade Complete All In 1 ActionPacs earned the highest marks in CR's Ratings of nonphosphate gels, liquids, packs, pods, powders and tablets.
Finish Quantum, top-rated in the last round of tests, slipped to third place because of its performance in CR's new hard-water tests.
In tests, many dishwasher detergents left food stuck to plates or pots.Finish Powerball Tabs, the only CR Best Buy, and Cascade Complete All In 1 ActionPacs, a CR Recommended product, both cleaned dishes and pots well and dishware washed in these detergents didn't have water spots, white film, or discolored aluminum.
Detergents from Great Value (Walmart) and Kirkland Signature (Costco) didn't clean very well either, according to Consumer Reports.
In its latest tests, Consumer Reports added hard-water performance to the Ratings of models first reported on in October 2011.CR began this test last year in response to readers comments about a white film or cloudy buildup on dishware.The Laundress and Method Smarty Dish earned the lowest marks for film and discoloring.
And, while no type of detergent was best overall, liquids and gels tended to fall towards the bottom of Consumer Reports' Ratings.Whatever the detergent, consumers can get cleaner dishes by adding a rinse agent, making sure the water is hot (120°), separating flatware, and facing dirty dishes towards water jets.
The report is available online now at ConsumerReports.organd in the July 2012 issue of Consumer Reports magazine, which goes on sale June 5.