Dishwasher Pods vs. Powder: Proving the Superiority of Loose Detergent

The Case for Loose Dishwasher Powder

• 💡 The standard dishwasher program is designed for two doses of detergent: a small one for the pre-wash and a larger one for the main wash.
• 🎯 The dispenser's purpose is to delay detergent release, preventing it from being washed away during the initial pre-wash cycle.
• 🔑 Loose powders allow for flexible dosing, enabling users to adjust the amount of detergent based on soil level and water conditions.
• 🚀 The author advocates for using a small amount of detergent in the pre-wash to tackle oils and fats, reducing the burden on the main wash.

Independent Testing and New Product Development

• 🔬 A new dishwasher powder, developed in collaboration with Good Store and Green Llama, was subjected to blind ASTM testing.
• 📊 This new powder was compared against a major brand's powder and their premium pods, demonstrating comparable or superior cleaning performance.
• ✅ The testing vindicated the author's long-held belief that powders can be as effective as pods, debunking the idea that pods are inherently superior due to their format.
• 💰 The new powder is sold through Good Store, with all profits donated to the Coral Reef Alliance.

The Importance of Hot Water in Dishwashing

• ⚠️ In North America, dishwashers often have weak heating elements due to circuit limitations, making pre-heating water crucial.
• 💧 Purging cold water from the line by running the kitchen faucet until hot ensures the dishwasher fills with hot water, significantly aiding in cleaning performance.
• 🌡️ Hot water is essential for enzyme-based detergents to work effectively, breaking down starches and proteins on dishes.
• 📈 A demonstration showed that a dishwasher filled with hot water completely cleaned heavily soiled dishes significantly faster than one filled with cold water.

Dishwasher Cycles and Detergent Usage

• ⚙️ Many dishwashers, especially on their normal cycles, do not adequately heat water unless a high-temp wash or sanitize option is selected.
• 🧩 The author discovered that the normal wash cycle on their test dishwasher simply heats water for a fixed time, rather than reaching a target temperature, highlighting the need for hot water fills.
• 🧼 Adding a small amount of detergent to the pre-wash, even with a loose powder, significantly improves the removal of fats and oils before the main wash begins.
• 🧼 The new powder formulation allows for this flexible pre-wash dosing, offering better control over the cleaning process.