Consumer Reports.orgMarch 2005

Dish detergents: Enzymes rule
The secret to a successful dishwasher detergent isn’t a well-known name or cleaner packed into a gel pac or rolled into a power ball. Rather, it’s enzymes that make the difference between an outstanding detergent and one that’s as dull as dishwater.
In our tests, all the products judged very good or excellent overall contain enzymes. Most nonenzyme detergents were merely fair. But you won’t see the word enzymes trumpeted on the packages. If it’s there at all, it will be listed with the ingredients or mentioned in the cautions.
Our tests also show that:
Gels aren’t very effective. Enzymes usually aren’t compatible with gel formulations, hence their generally poor showing in our tests.
A familiar brand name isn’t always a top performer. Electrasol and other big brands appear through the list.
Store brands can also be standouts. The Trader Joe’s and Kirkland (Costco) store brands are excellent, and one of our two CR Best Buys comes from Wal-Mart. Those products contain enzymes.
“Green” products can get dishes clean. Most dishwasher detergents contain phosphates, which enhance cleaning ability. Phosphates also have a reputation for being environmentally harmful because they promote the growth of algae. But the enzyme-containing powders from Trader Joe’s (2), Seventh Generation (9), and Ecover (11) are phosphate-free.
March2005 /
RatingsDishwasher detergents
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CR Quick / Recommendations /

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See a summary of test findings and Quick Picks--the choices that merit first consideration, including any CR Best Buys.
Enzyme detergents are clearly the type to choose because of their superior performance overall. Cost per load as well as particular performance attributes can help you narrow your selection.
The Ratings are based strictly on performance. The Quick Picks consider other factors, such as price.
Quick Picks
Best all-round combination of price and performance, both CR Best Buys:
7 Great Value powder (Wal-Mart)
8 Electrasol tablets
Like most other enzyme detergents, these two were excellent at cleaning and at preventing dirt from settling back on dishes. The Great Value (7) is also an excellent choice whether you have hard water or soft because it minimized hard-water spots and prevented glasses washed in soft water from eventually looking filmy. The Electrasol (8) also minimized soft-water filminess but left more hard-water spots than others.
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Dishwasher detergents
Availability: Most products at stores through May 2005.
Key numbers with a indicate Quick Picks.
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Within types, in performance order. / Excellent / Very good / Good / Fair / Poor
Product / Type / Cost per load / Overall score / Test results / Treating
glassware
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ENYZME DETERGENTSThe more effective type.
1 / Cascade 2 in 1 Action Pacs / packet / 20¢ / / / / • / •
2 / Trader Joe’s / powder / 19 / / / / • / •
3 / Cascade Complete / powder / 27 / / / / • / •
4 / Cascade Pure Rinse Formula / powder / 19 / / / / • / •
5 / Electrasol 2 in 1 Tabs With PowerBall / tablet / 22 / / / / • / •
6 / KirklandSignature # 49453 (Costco)CR Best Buy / powder / 9 / / / / • / •
7 / Great Value (Wal-Mart)
CR Best Buy / powder / 9 / / / / • / •
8 / Electrasol Dual Action Tabs
CR Best Buy / tablet / 13 / / / / •
9 / Seventh Generation / powder / 25 / / / / • / •
10 / Kroger / powder / 14 / / / / • / •
11 / Ecover Natural / powder / 37 / / /
12 / Cascade Complete / gel / 35 / / / / •
NONENZYME DETERGENTSMuch less effective.
13 / Cascade Pure Rinse Formula / gel / 24 / / / / • / •
14 / Sun Light 2 in 1 Dual Action Formula / powder / 13 / / / / • / •
15 / Electrasol / powder / 16 / / / / • / •
16 / Kroger / gel / 15 / / / / •
17 / Great Value (Wal-Mart) / gel / 13 / / / / •
18 / Palmolive / gel / 25 / / / / •
19 / Electrasol / gel / 19 / / / / •
20 / KirklandSignature # 29248 (Costco) / gel / 12 / / / / • / •