Dishwasher Detergent & Other Cheap Recs
In this latest Consumer Reports article I recently read, they tested dishwasher detergents. Since moving into my house, I’ve started using the dishwasher. I love it but I am not a fan of the dishwasher detergent I am currently using….one of those Cascade gel ones. (No wonder it was a hot deal!) I guess a new law that passed last year required certain states to limit the amount of phosphorous in detergents causing some to not clean as well. So this study was done on no or low phosphate detergents. Here are the top ones:
Finish Quantum (30 cents per load) topped the Ratings, followed by CR Best Buy, Finish Powerball Tabs (22 cents per load), which scored Excellent for dishes and pots, and bested some detergents that cost more. Cascade Complete All In 1 (28 cents per load) and Cascade with Dawn ActionPacs (23 cents per load) earned a score of Very Good in CR’s tests, but all Cascades, like all Finish products, aren’t equal. Other Cascade and Finish products were scattered throughout the Ratings.
I’m not sure I have seen the highest ranked one in stores (Finish Quantum?) but I had heard a lot about the Finish Powerball Tabs and how well they performed despite being one of the cheaper ones. I can’t wait til I run out of my current detergent so I can try this one!
Some other products that I have read about that are cheap but perform well are Rayovac batteries (tested to perform as well as duracell or energizer!), the cleaning supplies at 99 cent store, electronic cables (avoid best buy and buy online!), and spices.
What products do you use/buy that are cheap but perform as well as the name-brand ones?
Posted: 30 August, 2011 in Tips/Tricks/Hacks.
Comments
Comment from Yang
Posted: August 31, 2011 at 10:17 am
I’ve been using Trader Joe’s dishwasher powder and it seems fine…what are the issues that you have with cascade?
Comment from girlrobot
Posted: August 31, 2011 at 8:29 pm
Yoshi – it’s only available to subscribers
Giang – ooh…I forgot TJs has a dishwasher detergent! I’ll have to try that. Sometimes I find leftover soap residue in my glasses and sometimes it does not remove all of the gunk! I pre-scrape most of the stuff too!
Comment from yoshi
Posted: August 30, 2011 at 11:13 pm
did you link the report? or was it online? I’ve gotta look for this. I was looking at alice.com for the finish products, but nothing really matched exactly. I’m always looking for the best deals!