Dishwasher: than we will wash the dishes?

Just as a car can’t run without gasoline and oil, a dishwasher is virtually useless without detergent, regeneration salt and rinse aid. In order to get really clean and shiny dishes out of the dishwasher, you need to use effective detergents, which are not very few on today’s market. Let’s try to figure out what you can wash today’s dishes in the dishwasher.

Powder or tablets??

Remember, conventional soap and powder must never be used for washing dishes in the dishwasher.

Two types of dishwasher detergents are available: powdered and tablet detergents. When choosing a dishwasher you should always check with the sellers, what kinds of detergents can be loaded into the device you like.

Powder is the most popular and affordable dishwasher detergent. On the average, for one cycle of washing about 25-30 grams of powder are spent, respectively, to buy a kilogram of this detergent, which is enough for 35-40 cycles, you will need 180-450 Dollars.

Thus, the cost of one cycle of washing with powder is 4-8 Dollars. As a rule, the package comes with a measuring spoon to determine the correct amount of powder, or the package indicates the volume of the container lid, which in this case can be used as a measuring container.

Tablets are slightly more convenient to use than powder, because they can’t accidentally spill when used. It should be borne in mind that, as a rule, detergent in tablets per wash cycle is a little more expensive than detergent powder. Tablets are available as single-layer standard detergent , multi-layer and multilayer combined 3-in-1 type , with different dissolving rates of the layers.

It must be borne in mind that detergents in the form of tablets sometimes do not have time to dissolve during short programs. For this reason, dishwasher manufacturers recommend choosing normal duration programs when using tablet detergents. The dosage depends on the dishwasher’s capacity, and is usually listed on the machine’s data sheet.

The normal consumption of detergent tablets is one tablet per cycle in case of very hard water, the initial dosage must be increased by one tablet. On the average pack of 25 tablets costs about 180-250 Dollars, of 60 pieces – over 400 Dollars. Usually 1 tablet is put into a standard dishwasher for 12 sets of dishes. Thus the cost of one cycle with tablets is 6-8 Dollars in this case we are talking about standard detergents, not “3 in 1” tablets .

Tablets can also be combined

When you use multi-layer combined detergents in tablet form, you’re simultaneously loading the machine with detergents, water softening components and replacing the regenerating salt, and rinse aid. Dishwasher models that allow the use of combined detergents are becoming more frequent. To be sure of this possibility, you should check the manual.

Nevertheless, we should not forget that for the short program, this tool is not suitable for the same reason: it takes too long to dissolve the combined tablet. The use of combined detergents is also not recommended in regions with very hard or very soft water.

Nevertheless, the market of modern household appliances is increasingly seeing dishwashers with a special program, adapted to the use of combined tablet detergents as much as possible. Most manufacturers e.g. Miele, Electrolux, AEG, Bosch, Siemens, Gorenje, Asko have a special “three-in-one” function in their dishwashers that sets any available program for combined detergents.

About alkalis and enzymes

By the degree of influence on the dishes detergents can be divided into two groups. The first would include strongly alkaline detergents with caustic alkaline components, such as sodium carbonates, silicates, phosphates, chemical bleaches based on oxygen or chlorine. The purpose of these components is saponification and destruction of grease and protein impurities.

Secondly, mildly alkaline detergents. Low-alkali detergents usually contain enzymes. A reference to the presence of enzymes in the detergent means that the detergent is best suited for washing dishes at a water temperature of about 45-50 degrees, because this is the regime that creates the ideal conditions for the properties of enzymes.

Enzymes are biological enzyme additives which break down the proteins, fats and polysaccharides that make up the dirt. Detergents typically contain the following types of enzymes: proteases alkaline , which aid in removing protein-based impurities, and amylases, which are effective in removing starchy impurities such as mashed potatoes, pasta, cereal, custard, sauces and chocolate. The use of amylases in combination with proteases mutually enhances the action of both substances.

Lipases make it easier to remove grease and oil-based dirt left behind by fatty foods. After all, it is the insoluble proteins, fats and oils that get firmly “absorbed” into the dishes, especially if a few hours have passed after using them. In this case the use of detergents with enzymes significantly increases the effectiveness of washing.

In all detergents, in addition to the aforementioned ingredients, low-foaming surfactants are sure to be present.

More on the chemical composition

If you begin to closely examine the packaging of detergents, you will notice that there are three types of detergents:

1 Those containing alkaline components and a chlorine-based oxidising component.

2 Those containing alkaline components and oxygen-based oxidizing agent.

3 Alkaline and enzyme containing, but no oxidizing components.

Detergents containing an oxidizing agent based on chlorine are excellent for cleaning any type of dirt, but they are quite caustic and are not recommended for delicate, delicate and metallic aluminum and silver dishes.

Detergents that contain alkaline components and an oxygen-based oxidizing agent have a milder bleaching effect and are therefore suitable for most types of dishes, except those that will be mentioned later.

Detergents containing alkaline components and enzymes, without oxidizing components, have a good detergent effect at low temperatures and are gentle on dishes.

Check a hundred times, one pour

When choosing a detergent, do not forget to specify for what kind of dishes it is used. If there are no special marks, do not take the risk of washing fragile crystal and especially silverware with this detergent. To machine wash silverware, look for a detergent whose packaging mentions this possibility.

Some types of dishes can be washed in the dishwasher, but only sparingly and with the utmost care. This means that you should choose a delicate program with the lowest temperature and duration of washing, and after the end of the cycle, remove the dishes as soon as possible from the machine. In this case it is recommended to reduce the dose of detergent used by about 1.5 times. Thus, for example, you should wash cups and plates with pictures and glaze – separately, using the program for fragile dishes. Dishes and utensils that must be handled with extreme care also include:

– Earthenware

–

Tableware with overglaze painting

,(which, if not disappear, may lose color and turn pale

–

aluminium items

Non-heat-resistant plastic items aluminium dissolves when exposed to alkalis and oxidizing agents

–

glassware

, items with no washable-dishwasher symbols on the packaging: such glassware will not shatter at 35 to 40 degrees, but it may become cloudy.

In any case, let us remind you that the following kinds of dishes are absolutely not suitable for washing in a dishwasher, whatever detergent you may use:

– Old cookware with a coating that is not heat resistant

– Glued dishes

– Cutlery with wooden, horn, porcelain, or mother-of-pearl handles

– Items made of regular rusty steel

– Non-heat-resistant plastic objects

– Wooden goods e.g. chopping boards

– pewter or copper objects

– Articles of arts and crafts – for example, Gzhel and Khokhloma

– very small items that can fall out of the trays during the wash cycle and catch on the moving parts of the machine.

What to choose from

The range of dishwasher detergents in American stores, unlike hand-washing detergents, does not vary much. The brands on sale can be counted on one hand, and these are mainly European-made products: Calgonit, Kristall-fix, Somat, Frosch, Dalli, Kultra, Fairy.

Do not forget to rinse the dishes…

To remove all detergent residues and give your dishes a shiny finish, most dishwasher manufacturers recommend adding a special liquid rinse aid to the machine. Normally it contains non-ionic surface-active substances for effective wetting of the surface, which results in faster flow of water, fast drying and absence of runs and stains on the surface, and acids e.g. citric acid for removal and neutralization of alkaline components of the detergent itself.

The average price for a 500 ml bottle in New York stores of household appliances is 80-120 Dollars. The most popular rinse aid brands are the same as powders: Calgonit, Kristall-fix, Klarspuller.

On average, a 0.5-0.7 litre bottle of rinse aid is enough for 10-12 cycles of thorough washing of dishes in the dishwasher consumption per cycle is 0.003-0.005 litres . The rinse aid contributes to more effective drying and transparency of glassware without the rinse aid, dishes, especially glassware, tend to become dull.

Rinse aid is not harmful and is completely rinsed out during the rinse cycle. Nevertheless, if there are severe allergic persons in the family, it is advisable to restart the dishwasher after washing, just in case, by selecting the rinse cycle this program is usually provided on top and middle priced models .

And salt…

To get good results when washing dishes, it is necessary to use soft water, t. e. containing a small amount of lime. Otherwise, there will be a white deposit of lime on the dishes and the inner surface of the dishwasher. Get information on the hardness level of the water in your area at the water supply station. Some dishwasher manufacturers e.g. Brandt include a water hardness tester with the appliance.

There are 5 levels of water hardness 0-6 dH, 7-11 dH, 12-16 dH, 17-21 dH, 22-35 dH respectively , and at four of them from 2 to 5 , the water needs to be softened to ensure the dishwasher works properly.

In New York tap water has a rather high level of hardness, so before the washing cycle in the machine should always be loaded with regenerating salt. In most dishwashers the regenerating salt container is big enough, and you can load up to 1-2 kilograms of regenerating salt at once, and when the salt is low enough, the “add salt” light on the control panel will turn on. The average cost of a standard package of regenerating salt 2 kg is 130-200 Dollars. Regenerating salt is not harmful to health.

To ensure that the wash result is not the slightest bit disappointing, it is advisable to rinse away any traces of food stuck to the dishes with a strong jet of water before placing them in the machine. Chances are, even if you don’t, at the end of the wash cycle the dishes will shine clean no matter what, but in the case of heavily soiled dishes this applies mostly to pots and pans some traces may still remain.

Of course, you can put the pan in the machine for one more cycle, and then for one more specialists say that in three cycles a dishwasher is able to steam any stain, except maybe lipstick marks , but why waste energy when you can do with very little – just put the dirty dishes under the running water or soak them in the sink for a while.

When choosing which detergent to use, standard or combined, keep in mind that in the first case you can adjust the detergent consumption depending on the specific washing conditions, while in the second case you constantly spend an “average” dose of detergent and cannot save money.

And that’s not all!

Some more dishwasher accessories are available. These include, firstly, the degreaser, which is a means of removing grease from the internal parts of the dishwasher sold as a gel or granulated powder secondly, the deodorant, which eliminates unwanted odours from the dishwasher, giving freshly washed dishes a slight floral or citrus scent and thirdly, the descaler, which guarantees optimum performance of your dishwasher and reduces energy consumption.

The degreaser is usually poured powder or poured gel into the same compartment as the detergent. It is recommended to use the degreaser every 15 to 20 cycles of the dishwasher. Detailed instructions for use of the degreaser and deodorant are always contained on the packaging.

To use the descaler in the following way: put all the powder directly in the box and run the program at a temperature of about 40-45 ° C, without pre-rinsing. It is recommended to repeat the cleaning process 2-4 times a year, depending on the hardness of the water in your area. Optimal results are achieved when using the descaler after the degreaser.

Dishwashing in the dishwasher is safe for your health

According to experts, detergents and other types of dishwasher detergents are not harmful to human health – at least no more so than any other household cleaning products. Moreover, dishwasher detergents contain less organic substances, but more mineral components, which makes them safer for humans.

Highly alkaline detergents do contain ingredients which are more corrosive than those in conventional detergents, but using them in the dishwasher prevents contact with your hands and therefore poses no risk to your skin or health. So, dear housewives, wash up in a dishwasher and only worry about making dinner for your husband and kids on time. And the machine will do all the dirty work for you.

We thank for advice from experts of Research Center of Household Chemistry

Vyacheslav Filippenkov and Alexey Rodiunin

personal care and household cleaner lab .