11 Best Dishwasher Detergents Of 2023

Washing dishes can be made easy with the best dishwasher detergents. Cooking can be pleasant, but cleaning the dishes without a good dishwasher detergent can be a nightmare. Dishwashers can be effective in removing stains and grease. However, if your dishwasher detergent residue stays back, it isn’t enjoyable. You will end up rewashing the dishes, which is tiring and time-consuming. With a high-quality dishwashing detergent, cleaning utensils needs minimal effort.

If finding the best dishwashing detergent is a struggle for you, don’t worry. Below is a list of some top products available online to help you find the most suitable detergents for your kitchen needs.

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11 Best Dishwasher Detergents To Buy

1.Best Easy To Store:Cascade Complete ActionPacs Dishwasher Detergent

Why It's Worth Buying:This product is a hit with users, evidenced by the 85,269 fine reviews on Amazon.
Price at the time of publication: $18.67

Cascade comes with built-in rinse aid and water softener that helps remove leftover food fromdishesandprevents the formation of new stains. The detergent fights off grease and removes odors, burnt food, and limescale buildup. It saves up to 15 gallons of water per load since you can skip pre-wash and clean up to 24-hour stuck-on food. Watchthis review videoto learn how to use the product.

Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 6.75 x 7.25 inches |Weight: 3.3 Pounds

Pros

  • Phosphate-free
  • Mess-free
  • Comes in a handy pack that is easy to store
  • ActionPacs remove the need to pre-measure detergent for each use

Cons

  • May take time to dissolve
  • May leave a thin film
protip_icon Do remember
Use this detergent on dishes and not other surfaces such as countertops or floors.

2.Best For Hard Stains:Kirkland Signature UltraShine Dishwasher Detergent

4.4
Kirkland Signature UltraShine Dishwasher Detergent Image:Costco

The Kirkland Signature UltraShine dishwasher detergent pacs are ideal for your dishwasher if you deal with hard stains and hard water daily. The 1.98lb box of detergent contains 115 pacs. As per reviews, these power-packed pacs fit easily in the dispenser andcompletely dissolve without leaving spots behind on utensils.

Item Weight: 1.98 pounds |Product Dimensions: 11.81 x 5.91 x 11.81 inches.

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Light, pleasant, citrus smell
  • No pre-wash required for utensils
  • Good-fitting small-sized pacs

Cons

  • May leave a chalky film on the utensils
  • May cause eye irritation

3.Best Fragrance:Ecover Automatic Dishwasher Soap Tablets, Citrus

Price at the time of publication: $9.99

Made of recycled cardboard, the environment-friendly Ecover automatic dishwasher soap tablets remove stuck-on food. The tried-and-tested soap tablets have never been tested on animals and can clean your dishes in just one wash. The dish cleaning tablets free of phosphates are bestsuited for cleaning greasy dishes, glasses, and flatware.

Product Dimensions: 2.87 x 7.44 x 5.39 inches |Weight: 2.12 Pounds

Pros

  • Fragrances inspired by natural scents
  • Contains fish-friendly plant-based ingredients
  • Biodegradable
  • Comes in easy-to-use tablet form

Cons

  • May not dissolve easily
  • May use single-use plastic to individually wrap the tablets

4.Best Easy-To-Use:Member’s Mark Ultimate Clean Dishwasher Pacs

Price at the time of publication: $27.5

Member’s Mark dishwasher pacs are a great addition to your kitchen cleaning supplies. The effective cleaning and unique all-in-one formula cleans tough stains and grease, eliminates the need to pre-wash, and provides crystal-clear shine to your utensils. With this high-quality dishwashing detergent, you canget clean and shiny utensils with minimal effort.

Item Weight: 5.35 pounds

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Has a fresh scent
  • Ensures streak-free cleaning
  • Comes in a resealable pack

Cons

  • May leave a powdery residue
  • Some might find the container a bit too tight

5. Best Phosphate-Free Formula:Lemi Shine Booster Natural Lemon Dishwasher Detergent

Why It's Worth Buying:More than 11,723 independent reviewers on Amazon have acknowledged the product's durability and functionality.
Price at the time of publication: $17.94

Get squeaky clean and sparkling dishes with the Booster detergent by Lemi Shine. It contains natural ingredients and powerful citrus extracts that increase their ability to dissolve greasy particles and remove stuck-on food. The product’seasy-to-use liquidformula has a booster additive that needs to be combined with your dishwater detergent. Lemi Shine can easily remove stains, film, lime, calcium, and other mineral deposits. It is strong on dirt and safe on the septic system.

Product Dimensions: 8 x 6.5 x 3 inches |Weight: 1.5 Pounds

Pros

  • Made of toxin-free material
  • Biodegradable and environment-friendly detergent
  • Works even with hard water
  • Contains no phosphates

Cons

  • May leave a chalky film on plastic
  • Tablets might be too big for some

6.Best Enzyme-Rich Formula:Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergent Pack, Fragrance-Free

4.6
Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergents Packs Image:Seventh Generation
Why It's Worth Buying:The whopping 7,710 positive reviews on Amazon reflect the superior quality of this product.
Price at the time of publication: $29.74

The USDA-certified bio-based detergent is formulated with plant-based rich enzymes. Powered by plants and minerals, the tried-and-tested product can cut through tough grease without leaving behind food residues or water spots and provide clean and spotless dishes with a sparkling look. Seventh Generation detergent comes in single dissolvable PVA film packs for hassle-free use and can be put directly into the dishwasher.

Product Dimensions: 9.19 x 8.19 x 4.63 inches |Weight: 4.04 Pounds

Pros

  • Has resealable closure for easy use
  • Free from fragrances, dyes, and chlorine bleach
  • Enzyme-rich formula
  • Contains no animal ingredients and is not tested on animals

Cons

  • 使用时可能会让斑点智慧h hard water
  • Packs that do not disintegrate may clog drains in the long run

7.Best Biodegradable:Puracy Platinum Dishwasher Detergent Pods

Price at the time of publication: $19.99

Puracy detergent is a plant-derived and enzyme-based detergent that is safe for all dishwasher dishes, ceramics, toys, glasses, plastic, and porcelain. With many positive reviews, the detergent can eliminate stubborn food stains and grime, and yet, it is gentle on the hands, as it is free from SLS, SLES, SCS, bleach, and added fragrances. Puracy is formulated to leave no film or water spots. Made in the US, the detergent’s ingredients are non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and gluten-free.

Product Dimensions: 5 x 3 x 7 inches |Weight: 1.61 Pounds

Pros

  • Biodegradable
  • Safe for skin and environment-friendly
  • No pre-soak or pre-rinse required
  • Contains no harsh ingredients

Cons

  • May cause excess suds
  • May leak
protip_icon Quick tip
Always store your detergent in an airtight container and keep it away from heat and moisture to maximize its shelf life.

8.Best Fragrance-Free:Grab Green Automatic Dishwashing Detergent Pods

4.3
Grab Green Automatic Dishwashing Detergent Pods Image:Grab Green
Price at the time of publication: $19.5

The Grab Green automatic dishwashing detergent pods are made of natural plant- and mineral-based ingredients. These fragrance-free and stain- and grease-removal packs require no pre-rinsing of utensils when putting them in the dishwasher. Moreover, the kid-friendly and safety-tested kitchen solution is free of harsh, caustic chemicals and emits no toxic fumes.

Product Dimensions: 8.75 x 3 x 11.5 inches |Weight: 2.4英镑

Pros

  • No phosphates, chlorine, or dyes
  • Velcro-closure bags for easy storage
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Provide a brilliant shine
  • Non-toxic and not tested on animals

Cons

  • Pod wrapper may not dissolve completely
  • May leave a powdery residue behind on some glassware

9.Best Hypoallergenic:Planet Automatic Free & Clear Dishwasher Pacs, Unscented

Price at the time of publication: $6.39

Planet Automatic detergent contains no added fragrances, synthetic preservatives, or dyes. The product offers effective spot-reduction. Planet Automatic Dishwasher Pacs come in individual pouches and are easy to use. As per the reviewers, these pouches are resealable and effective on greases.

Product Dimensions: 6.25 x 2.5 x 9 inches |Weight: 12.7盎司

Pros

  • Hypoallergenic
  • Biodegradable and eco-friendly
  • Not tested on animals
  • Phosphate and chlorine-free formula

Cons

  • May require large amounts
  • May not work on stubborn stains

10.Best Ultra-Concentrated Formula:Biokleen Free & Clear Dishwashing Detergent Powder, Fragrance-Free

Price at the time of publication: $10.53

Biokleen uses mineral-based technologies to break down grease and tough food particles, including baked foods. The fragrance-free packs contain an oxygen bleach formula that helps in removing even the most unrelenting stains. It is phosphate- and chlorine-free and contains no optical brighteners or dyes. Further, the stain removal product ensures deep cleaning with no chemical odor.

Product Dimensions: 3.7 x 3.7 x 6.6 inches |Weight: 0.03 Ounces

Pros

  • Plant-based surfactants make it a safe dishwasher detergent
  • 环保,不含人造香味,colors, or preservatives
  • No harmful effect on rivers, plants, or wildlife
  • Made of ultra-concentrated formulation

Cons

  • Food smells may remain at times
  • May leave residue in the dishwasher
protip_icon Quick tip
Always use rinse aid to keep the dishes clean and spot-free after they’ve been washed in the dishwasher.

11. Best Dermatologist-Tested:Love Home And Planet Dishwasher Detergent

4.2
爱家庭和行星洗碗机潜艇雷达rgent, Citrus Yuzu & Vanilla Image:Love Home And Planet
Price at the time of publication: $16.17

Formulated without parabens, Love Home detergent is a kitchen essential made of ethically sourced vanilla and can effectively remove stuck-on food residues. The detergent powder is blended with Japanese citrus ‘yuzu’ along with the scent of ‘Madagascan’ vanilla to keep your dishes squeaky clean and odorless. The certified organic product comes in a water-soluble packet made of plant and mineral-based cleansers.

Product Dimensions: 3.5 x 8.5 x 9 inches |Weight: 1.51 Pounds.

Pros

  • Dermatologist-tested
  • Not tested on animals
  • Vegan and gluten-free
  • Does not contain dyes and phosphates
  • USDA-certified 78% bio-based product

Cons

  • May not produce enough suds
  • Scent may be a little strong for some

How To Choose The Right Dishwasher Detergents?

Dishwasher detergents come in three different forms: Powders, liquid gels, tablets, and packs. Gel detergents are less expensive and can be effective on tough food stains. Powder detergents work well on hard water but can leave clumps on your dishes. Powder detergents that contain bleach and enzymes can clean dishes effectively. Detergents that come in a tablet or pouch form are user-friendly.

[ Read : Chicco Laundry Detergent Cluster Reviews ]

Why Trust MomJunction?

Sakshi John is a product writer who focuses on kitchenware and household products and is thus well versed with people’s requirements regarding the same. After evaluating numerous product reviews and reviewers’ experiences, she has put together this list of the best dishwasher detergents that can remove the toughest of stains with minimal effort. She has also included a buying guide with the features of each product to help you pick the right one for your requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are pods or liquid detergents better for dishwashers?

Pods and liquid detergents are equally effective and efficient, provided they are made of the proper formulation. Pods offer a mess-free experience, while detergents provide a customized experience as the measure can be tweaked every time, depending on the load.

2. How much dishwasher detergent should I use?

Most dishwashers require two to three tablespoons of detergent, depending on how dirty the utensils are and the hardness of the water.

3. Can I throw a pod in the dishwasher?

A pod should never be thrown or tossed directly into the dishwasher. It should always be placed in the detergent dispenser slot so that it dissolves appropriately for a successful cycle.

4. Can I use dishwasher detergent as dish soap?

Like regular dish soap cannot substitute for dishwasher detergent, the reverse cannot happen because a dishwasher detergent doesn’t lather or sud like a countertop dish soap and, hence, can take a lot of your time and effort and may not clean the dishes well.

5. Does dishwasher detergent expire?

Dishwasher detergents expire after a few months, which results in the loss of potency, fragrance, and germ-combating properties. Since the expiration date of cleaning supplies varies according to the formulation, reading the details provided by the manufacturer can help give a better assessment.

Dirty dishes are a chore that no one wants to do. However, it can get worse when you clean a dirty plate that still has grease, unwanted odors, burnt-on food, and limescale buildup. To get rid of these contaminants effectively, you need the best dishwasher detergents that clean vessels effectively with minimum effort. When choosing a suitable detergent agent, select those that can remove grease, stains, and odors with a fast-dissolving formulation. Also, stay clear of those that require pre-rinsing or pre-washing before use.

Infographic: Pros And Cons Of Dishwasher Detergent Types

A good dishwasher detergent contains a chemical formulation for spotless cleaning of your kitchen utensils. Therefore, the type of detergent you choose is important as per your needs. Explore the infographic below to know various options of detergents as well as the pros and cons of each type.

Things To Know About Different Dishwasher Detergent Types (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.

Download Infographic in PDF version Download Infographic
Download Infographic in PDF version


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