<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for A test of green(er) dishwasher detergents]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by wallrock http://www.grist.org/article/2009-04-21-diswasher-detergent/ Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:52:31 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/2009-04-21-diswasher-detergent/1 The Ecover tablets work very well - I've never had a problem.  The plastic wraps are a bit annoying, but (correct me if I'm wrong) I thought the plastic was the biodegradable corn version. Not perfect, but what is.  Plus these are the only ones I've seen at my local store.

As for regular liquid soap, I ususally get either the Ecover or Seventh Gen dish soap for the non-dishwasher safe things.

]]> The Ecover tablets work very well - I've never had a problem.  The plastic wraps are a bit annoying, but (correct me if I'm wrong) I thought the plastic was the biodegradable corn version. Not perfect, but what is.  Plus these are the only ones I've seen at my local store.

As for regular liquid soap, I ususally get either the Ecover or Seventh Gen dish soap for the non-dishwasher safe things.

]]> Comment #2 by megan.c.lynch http://www.grist.org/article/2009-04-21-diswasher-detergent/ Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:45:21 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/2009-04-21-diswasher-detergent/2 I currently use Seventh Generation's liquid dishwasher detergent (got it on sale!) and it seems to work as well as any other liquid I've tried. That is, not very well, even with pre-rinsing. I usually blame the dishwasher for leaving little bits and pieces, but now that I know about the whole hard water/phosphate thing, maybe that's been the culprit all along!

]]> I currently use Seventh Generation's liquid dishwasher detergent (got it on sale!) and it seems to work as well as any other liquid I've tried. That is, not very well, even with pre-rinsing. I usually blame the dishwasher for leaving little bits and pieces, but now that I know about the whole hard water/phosphate thing, maybe that's been the culprit all along!

]]> Comment #3 by PermieWriter http://www.grist.org/article/2009-04-21-diswasher-detergent/ Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:56:14 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/2009-04-21-diswasher-detergent/3 The Seventh Gen powder works very well, even in our somewhat elderly dishwasher. It's not hooked up to our greywater system, so I can't comment about its biodegradability. Actually, I thought you weren't supposed to hook up a dishwasher to a greywater system, as it's considered black water (because of the food and fat bits).

]]> The Seventh Gen powder works very well, even in our somewhat elderly dishwasher. It's not hooked up to our greywater system, so I can't comment about its biodegradability. Actually, I thought you weren't supposed to hook up a dishwasher to a greywater system, as it's considered black water (because of the food and fat bits).

]]> Comment #4 by BrianInTX http://www.grist.org/article/2009-04-21-diswasher-detergent/ Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:47:05 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/2009-04-21-diswasher-detergent/4 We've used both the Seventh Generation gel and powder.  Both are great on everything but glasses.  Those tend to have a film on them that comes off with a quick hand cleaning.  With the powder it's not unusual to find undissolved detergent on dishes or in the dishwasher.

I recently discovered that you should only use 1-2 tablespoons of detergent per load.  I'd been completely filling up the "reservoir" in our dishwasher.  Now that we're experimenting with less detergent, maybe we'll see better results.

]]> We've used both the Seventh Generation gel and powder.  Both are great on everything but glasses.  Those tend to have a film on them that comes off with a quick hand cleaning.  With the powder it's not unusual to find undissolved detergent on dishes or in the dishwasher.

I recently discovered that you should only use 1-2 tablespoons of detergent per load.  I'd been completely filling up the "reservoir" in our dishwasher.  Now that we're experimenting with less detergent, maybe we'll see better results.

]]> Comment #5 by shoes http://www.grist.org/article/2009-04-21-diswasher-detergent/ Wed, 29 Apr 2009 07:35:47 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/2009-04-21-diswasher-detergent/5 I am very happy with Ecover's Automatic Dishwashing Powder (yes, it comes in powder, not only tablets). After reading "Polymers Are Forever" in Orion magazine, http://www.orionmagazine.org/index.php/articles/article/270/, I started reading labels even more carefully. I was very upset to discover that Seventh Generation, a brand I had previously trusted, contains so-called "non-toxic polymers". Non-toxic to you, that is, but they are plastics, and apparently very bad for marine life. When Seventh Generation claims "no petroleum-based cleaners" that is at best a half-truth, since the polymers are "surfactants" (scrubbers). I called the company last year, and they said they were researching a new product formula that would not contain plastics yet still be effective. Well, Ecover seems to have that formula already.

Somewhat off-topic, also watch out for the words "body scrub" or "exfoliating" - those products will often contain plastics, found in the ingredients list under such terms as "acrylic granules" and "polyethylene beads".

]]> I am very happy with Ecover's Automatic Dishwashing Powder (yes, it comes in powder, not only tablets). After reading "Polymers Are Forever" in Orion magazine, http://www.orionmagazine.org/index.php/articles/article/270/, I started reading labels even more carefully. I was very upset to discover that Seventh Generation, a brand I had previously trusted, contains so-called "non-toxic polymers". Non-toxic to you, that is, but they are plastics, and apparently very bad for marine life. When Seventh Generation claims "no petroleum-based cleaners" that is at best a half-truth, since the polymers are "surfactants" (scrubbers). I called the company last year, and they said they were researching a new product formula that would not contain plastics yet still be effective. Well, Ecover seems to have that formula already.

Somewhat off-topic, also watch out for the words "body scrub" or "exfoliating" - those products will often contain plastics, found in the ingredients list under such terms as "acrylic granules" and "polyethylene beads".

]]> Comment #6 by AltadenaGrown http://www.grist.org/article/2009-04-21-diswasher-detergent/ Sat, 02 May 2009 12:47:31 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/2009-04-21-diswasher-detergent/6 A glass of vinegar, upright in the dishwasher, will solve the problem of glasses that look cloudy.

]]> A glass of vinegar, upright in the dishwasher, will solve the problem of glasses that look cloudy.

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