Comments on: Ask Frugal Momma: The Amazing Dishwasher

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 07:16:00 +0000

I have had terrible trouble with chalky film on my dishes. I found that if I used cascade it was the worst. After some experimenting with making my own diswasher detergent, I found that the borax and baking soda didn’t quite get out the coffee stains, etc. So I switched back to regular detergent. However, my dishes were chalky again. So I did an experiment, I ran the short cycle and filled the closed cup with regular detergent and the outer cup with borax. It seems to work great.

By: BoschFamily

BoschFamily — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:41:00 +0000

Thanks for the tip on using citrus mix drink to clean out inside of dishwasher.

I’m going to try it tonight.

By: Kevin P

Kevin P — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 11:19:00 +0000

I've been using a 50/50 mix of Borax & Washing Soda for my dishwasher the past month.

Everything comes out with a white chalky film on it. Normal commercial powered detergent was working fine. I only changed due to going "green" and trying to save $$$.

I called the makers of 20 Mule Borax and they stated they recommend NOT using their product in the dishwasher for this very reason and my problem is common.

I live in Florida, so our water is hard. I've tried using less and more of the mixture but still get the same poor results.

I purchased the 7th Generation powder as it's "green" but very expensive.

Any other suggestions?

By: Laura B.

Laura B. — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:29:00 +0000

Amy–my portable dishwasher empties into my sink. When I plugged the sink and watched how much water drained out of the dishwasher during one normal cycle (wash and rinse)it only filled the sink ONCE. So dishwashers really do save water. About pre-rinsing: It is NOT necessary IF you are going to wash the dishes while the food particles are still moist. However, if you don’t wash the dishes immediately, the food dries and is too hard for the dishwasher to remove. One other tip I found: the seals inside the dishwasher depend on moisture to remain intact. If a dishwasher is not going to be used for 2-3 weeks (like my mother who will only use hers for company!) you need to dump 1/2 cup bleach and 3 tablespoons mineral oil into the dishwasher to keep the seals from drying out. To remember this, I wrote this in permanent marker along the inside of the dishwasher door where water doesn’t reach. Leaky seals can ruin a kitchen floor and floor joists!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 22:27:00 +0000

Something seemed odd about the supposed problem with Borax damaging dishwasher hoses. I checked the 20 Mule Team Borax website and one thing it specifically says is that it will NOT damage plumbing. It is possible that somebody on the customer service line made up an answer when they didn’t know it. Borax doesn’t damage laundry hoses which are made of the same material.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 16:47:00 +0000

Don't say if you got a new 2007 dishwasher soil senor.. I've been looking to see what dishwasher detergent to use with my 2007. DW

Cascade 2-in-1 pads is highly rated to get your dishes, pots and stainless steel clean at 95%.

Cascade Complete Power is second highly rated to get your dishes pots clean and stainless steel at 90%

Costco Kirkland Signture Series Auto Dish Power is only good on dishes at 79%, I've tested it myself and it doesn't clean anything metal as good as Cascade Complete Power.

Best method:
Sometimes it good to mix 2-in-1 pads and Completed to get 100% clean dishes.

I won't use your Boax method that stuff I use on in the washing machine with Tide or Costco Ultra HE Laundary Detergent.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 07:31:00 +0000

Hey I made it! And loved it thanks!

By: Amy

Amy — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 20:33:00 +0000

Serena- That is very interesting. Thank you for sharing your concerns! I actually have been using this mixture for awhile now with no adverse problems to my dishwasher. In fact, I think the performance of my dishwasher has actually improved because I am no longer getting a residue on my dishes as I was with the commercial detergents.

I did notice a slight improvement if I just use a tiny dash of the commercial detergent to the homemade recipe.

I find it interesting that borax would not back the product, yet every single site that I have found offers this detergent recipe as a great homemade alternative.

It is great to get so many opinions and thank you so much for sharing!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 19:05:00 +0000

Dear Amy,

Based upon a different concern, I contacted the customer service number on the back of my box of 20 Mule Team Borax. The customer service representative told me that Dial Corp., the maker of 20 Mule Team Borax, recommends you never run Borax through the dishwasher because it will damage the dishwasher's hoses. Who knew? I guess it's not frugal for me to save money on dishwashing soap and then have costly repairs to my dishwasher!

Serena

By: Jenn @ Frugal Upstate

Jenn @ Frugal Upstate — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 12:01:00 +0000

I have a new low water use dishwasher, and believe it or not, when I used just vinegar in the rinse agent thingy all my glasses came out spotty. I had to actually spring for the “jet-dry”. I guess it had something to do with the fact that it uses so little water. Oh well, I guess that it is worth it for the water savings.

I too do the “air dry” method-I run the dishwasher, then before bed I just open it and pull out all the racks and dump anything on the top rack that has accumulated water (like the bottoms of some of my glasses). By the morning everything is nice and dry.