Dishwasher - Warren,MA

If they were working fine initially, I would run a "dishwasher cleaner" through your dishwasher a couple of times to get rid of any gunky buildup & see if that helps. I've also noticed that the times that my Finish "Quantum" packs didn't dissolve the first time through, it's because the compartment got blocked from opening all the way by something in my utensil holder. So, I've started making sure that the taller utensils (spatulas, wooden spoons, etc) are as far away as I can get them, and I haven't had that particular issue since.

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We had this problem to. We almost got a new dishwasher. Here's the problem. Your water is hard and the Cascade packs build up.

Here's what worked for us. First use just Lemishine (available at Target) in the open cup and closed cup with an empty dishwasher. Repeat a second time.

Then fill as normal with dishes. Everytime you wash use the following. Yes, it adds up in cost, but still cheaper than a new dishwasher which will eventually have the same problem as your old one.

Use Jet Dry Rinse aid.
Use Lemishine (available at Target here in AZ) in the open cup.
Use Finish Powerball Tabs in the closed cup.

Also, it doesn't hurt to make sure your garbage disposal is empty before running the dishwasher. Good luck.

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Try double checking that your water is getting hot enough... if not, the packets will not dissolve properly. Run the tap on hot for a few minutes before you start the load to prime the line.

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We use Finish and they work great. If your a BJ club member, every couple of months they do a buy one get one free coupon.

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I use Seventh Generation dish detergent and it works great. I did move into a house with a rusty dishwasher (which my friends keep telling me is in awesome shape given its age, but I hate how rusty it is!) and the detergent works great despite my dishwasher's age. Plus, using phosphate free detergents is much much much better for the environment.

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I don't use the packs, I use the liquid/gel in the bottle. It works fine for me. What does the dishwasher instruction manual recommend for use in your machine?

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I use Palmolive Eco gel because it is phosphate free (better for environment) and because the gel dissolves more easily than the granular stuff. Also, be sure that you do not have anything blocking the detergent cup - sometimes if a platter or even a large spatula is in front of it, the water doesn't mix in there. I didn't like the gel packs - I didn't think they dissolved fully. Seventh Generation makes good products too and I'm sure they are phosphate free.

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Do you have a Gordon Food Service (GFS) in your area? If so do yourself a favor and go buy the foodservice formulation. Commercial use is still allowed to contain phosphates. All of the new phosphate free formulas can not hold a candle to the phosphate formulation.

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The powder cascade has always work best for me..

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I use the Cascade packs and I haven't had any problems. I put mine in blue side up, if that matters. Do you use a rinse agent? Maybe that needs to be refilled?

I love Seventh Generation dishwasher detergent (and all of their other products for that matter)! I've used both the gel and the powder. Both work great... I don't really see a difference between the two. My dishwasher is fairly new though. That might have something to do with it :-)

R.,

Have you tried Shaklee's Dishwash concentrate? It is absoloutely amazing and works great! you get get them right here at www.perryr.myshaklee.com they are not very expensive and last for a while. Try it and let us all know if you liked it or not!

Hi R., When I decided to go "green" a few years ago, I gave up my Cascade and tried the "green" ones. The product that really got the job done and actually was cheaper in the long run (because you use less so it lasts much longer) was the dishwash detergent by Shaklee. I have used it ever since. If you want more info, feel free to ask me - my e-mail address is ____@____.com - hope this is helpful. E. T.