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Help! Natural dishwasher detergent....

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Marie said #1 Aug 9, 2010 at 5:32am

Made the switch to a more "green" and natural dishwasher detergent after learning of all the harmful chemicals in most commercial brands. I tried the 'planet' brand but am very disappointed. It leaves residue on my dishes and they do not come clean. I find myself having to unload my dishes and rewash them by hand. Does anyone have a good suggestion for a green dishwasher detergent that gets the job done??

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catconsrv said #2 Aug 9, 2010 at 6:33am

There is one by the company Ecover that I have seen sold at Whole Foods. Not sure how it works, as I don't use my dishwasher! Good luck!

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Anita Phillips said #3 Aug 9, 2010 at 6:39am

I use Ecover dishwasher tablets and rinse aid (as well as other cleaning and laundry products of theirs) and it works really well. The store that sells the best range of Ecover products near me lets you refill containers of some of the more popular items like washing-up liquid from bulk containers and gives you a discount - how cool is that?!

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Starflower said #4 Aug 9, 2010 at 6:52am

I had the hardest time finding a "green" dishwasher detergent too. Every other green cleaning product seems to work relatively well, but this was a big struggle. I use the Ecover brand most of the time as well, and its pretty good. What I have found that helps tremendously is, if your dishwasher has a little place to put one of those "rinse aid" products - fill that little reservoir with white vinegar. Helps get rid of any funky residue the detergent leaves behind.

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megan kidd said #5 Aug 9, 2010 at 7:10am

I used Seventh Generation before and it worked pretty well. I just started using Mrs. Meyer brand and it works great. It also smells sooo good :)

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Angel said #6 Aug 9, 2010 at 8:22am

Have you tried making your own? If youre making your own laundry soap you already have these things around the house:



Step 1: Add one tablespoon of Super Washing Soda to the dishwasher dispenserStep 2: Add one tablespoon of 20 Mule Team Borax to the dishwasher dispenser

You're done. That's the recipe for homemade dishwashing detergent. Now the recipe for removing the water spots that so frequently occur with automatic dishwashers:


Pour distilled white vinegar into the dispenser for the clear rinse gel.
Read more at Suite101: Homemade Dishwashing Detergent: Washing Dishes for Pennies http://natural-products.suite101.com/article.cfm/washing_dishes_for_pennies#ixzz0w7f12OzF


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Diane L said #7 Aug 9, 2010 at 3:31pm

Ecover dishwasher tablets (not the powder) are the best, I have been using them for some time now. Even Consumer Reports has given them a very good rating. I have tried all the other natural brands and they just did not clean very well.


I highly recommend the tablets!



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Marie said #8 Aug 10, 2010 at 8:54am

Thanks for all the responses everyone! I will definitely check out these brands. Lots of options here. I agree, there are so many great cleaning supplies that work great, but a good dishwasher detergent has been difficult to find. I love the idea of the vinegar rinse. I will have to give that a try too! Thanks!

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Jaime Rubeniuk said #9 Jan 24, 2011 at 10:10am

I found a good one at Walmart (in Canada, so I'm not sure if you get the same brands).... it is called Bio-Vert. http://www.bio-vert.com/en/vaisselle-pastilles.php


I find that they work just as well as the "Finish" ones I had before:)

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Ashley H said #10 Jan 25, 2011 at 9:15am

i've been using Seventh Generation. it actually works a whole lot better than the crap i used before. my husband opened the dishwasher to get something out prior to the cycle being done he said it was like being slapped in the face with a lemon grapefruit tree. : )

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