automatic dishwasher soaps powder vs liquid?

Question

automatic dishwasher soaps powder vs liquid
which type of soap is better to use?

powder or liquid?

Answer 1

i've used powder for a long time...but sometimes it clumps up in the little dispenser cup and doesn't come out. i have never used liquid, so i cant tell you much about that. i just recently switched to the little tablets and they work great everytime.

Answer 2

I prefer liquid, the powder can clump plus I think the liquid is easier to control. There are lots of tablets and little gel packs out now some are a combination. Which works best depends on what type of things you are washing and what type of soil (food product) you are trying to remove. If you are having any specific problems read the containers. I buy two kinds a real cheap one and a real good one (Cascade Complete). Then depending on how much I have to wash and how dirty the dishes are I use whichever one I need. Honestly I use the cheap one most often. However I don't have any fine china or glasses. You have to be careful if you do, because some detergents will cause etching, the glasses will look cloudy but not the cloudy film that Jet Dry takes care of they will actually be lightly scratched. So I hope that was more helpful than confusing.

Answer 3

Good question. I actually like powder better, but I use liquid because it's more convenient. It has nothing to do with price for me. I hate getting the powder all over my hands and under my nails...yeah, call me a princess, lol. Hey, at least I do laundry, right? Also, if you put the powder in at just the wrong time it cakes on the clothes so that means re-washing an entire load which is always a huge pain. Liquid is just quicker and easier I guess. We always buy the big, huge containers that I can't lift onto the shelf myself...the ones that lay on their side with the drain spout on them. Everyone is always in a hurry these days, I think that's what it always comes down to. I do remember my Mom always saying that powder was better as far as suds and cleaning. She never liked the liquids...they were new(er) when I was a kid (that's all I'm saying about that!!!) I remember scrubbing dishes with powder laundry det when we ran out of dish soap! LOL! Now THERE'S a reason to buy liquid! LOL!

Answer 4

I've used all and usually go back to powder as long as it's Cascade. I've found the form isn't as important as the brand and even some popular name brands (i.e. Electrasol -sp?) just don't work well for me. Could be my water, but Cascade is well worth the money.

I checked ConsumerReports.org and they just rated dishwasher detergents in Sept 2006. Their ratings are:
Brand / Form / Cost per load / Rating (100 high)
Cascade 2 in 1 Action Pacs / Packet / 21¢ /95
America's Choice (A&P) / Powder / 11¢ / 89
Ecover Ecological / Tablet / 17¢ / 89
Cascade Pure Rinse / Powder / 13¢ / 87
Electrasol Jet Dry / Powerball Tablet / 21¢ / 87
Cascade Complete / Gel / 19¢ / 85
*Kirkland Signature (Costco) Lemon Fresh / Powder / 5¢ / 79
*Target / Powder / 6¢ / 79
*Everyday Living (Kroger)/ Powder / 6¢ / 76
*Great Value (Wal-Mart) / Powder / 5¢ / 76
* denotes "Consumer Reports Best Buy"

I'm not sure I buy their "best buy" brands ... you can try them but remember they're not a best buy if you have to wash your dishes more than once. Not only do you have multiple soap use but also water, heat, energy. Not to mention the exasperation! Good luck!

Answer 5

different water conditions make it hard to recommend any one brand, the powders once opened have a short shelf life but is more recommended than the jells or liquids, the liquids may look like they dissolve better but they just sink to the botom of the pump,where at least the powders leave all the signs that your water is not hot enough, I buy cascade complete powder in the smallest box & put in in a dry closset (not under the sink)I have tryed the tabs.(Cascade complete)...clean verry good also but too much $$. most detergents work great when the water is hot enough.

Answer 6

Well, it all depends on your sewage/septic system.

We live in the country, so we have a septic system. We had a real mess here a few years ago. It turns out that powder detergents (even laundry detergents) don't fully dissolve and they cause back ups in the septic lines.

From then on, we've used only liquid soaps.

Answer 7

Buy what you can afford - check the result, most have a guarantee if it doesn't live up, then take it back.
I use either depending on price, there are a couple of brands of both that aren't that good. I'm in Australia so if you're here as well,, e-mail and I'll let you know!

Answer 8

I have always used the powder, I use just kitchen liquid for what I have to wash by hand.

Answer 9

I have better results with powder and I think it is less expensive to use.

Answer 10

neither there are these tablets that have 3 in 1 thing (soap+oil+salt) they r the best and easiest to use and economical