7 Best Dishwasher Detergents, Tested in Our Labs
These detergents can handle whatever you dish out!
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Dishwasher detergent has a big job to do: Power through and dissolve all types of baked-on, dried-on foods from all sizes and shapes of dinnerware, glassware, flatware, storage containers, cookware and more. And simply cleaning is not enough. The detergent must also be safe for these items, help them dry better and not damage the inside of your dishwasher. And, if you live in an area with hard water, it needs to help eliminate those spots too.
It's a tall task for a tiny tablet, pack or tablespoon or two of detergent to accomplish. But choosing and using the right dishwasher detergent can mean the difference between spotless results the first time and having to pre-wash (or, worse, re-wash!) your dishes. To save you from this fate, the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care and Cleaning Lab has tested countless dishwasher detergents, evaluating everything from their ingredients to how well they clean the toughest messes from all types of dinnerware.
Cascade Platinum Plus Dishwasher Detergent
Pros
- Leaves glassware shiny and spot-free
- Removes 24-hour stuck-on grime
- Cuts grease
- Helps with drying
Cons
- Among the most expensive per load
We didn't think Cascade could get any better, but we were wrong. Our cleaning pros say the new Platinum Plus Pacs are as good as it gets, and our consumer testers agree. These packs now deliver more grease cutters and grime fighters to even remove stuff that's been sitting on the dishes for 24 hours — no pre-rinsing required. They also contain upgraded enzymes and ingredients that minimize spotting and protect glassware from harmful etching so glasses stay crystal clear.
Most impressive — and something we haven't seen with other detergents we've tested — is this new Cascade's ability to help items dry better and eliminate some of the annoying puddling that remains in the bottoms of glasses and cups at the end of the cycle. Even though it is among the most expensive per load, we think GH Seal star Cascade Platinum Plus works so well that we use it not only in the Cleaning Lab but also in other GH kitchens to clean up after all the testing we do.
| Form | Packs |
| Price per load | 36 cents |
Cascade Complete Powder Dishwasher Detergent
Pros
- Only costs about 8 cents per load
- No spotting on glassware
- Works great overall on normal and heavy-duty cycles
Cons
- Struggled with tough jobs like a greasy frying pan
- Can be messy to dispense
If you're budget-minded and looking for great cleaning at a great price, powdered dishwasher detergents are generally the least expensive form. And, once again, GH Seal star Cascade impressed us with their Complete powder detergent. At just about 8 cents per load, it offers exceptional value, especially considering its cleaning prowess.
In tests, it did an excellent cleaning job overall on normal and heavy-duty cycles, plus left virtually no spotting on glassware. The sacrifice you make for the price is most evident with the toughest jobs — the formula struggled a bit with our greasy frying pan. And, like other powders, dispensing the powder from a full package can be a bit messy.
| Form | Powder |
| Price per load | 8 cents |
Pros
- Works in all dishwashers
- Won't dissolve in your hands or burst in the package
- Neat and compact to store
Cons
- High cost per load
Miele makes our top-rated dishwasher, so we weren't surprised by the super-effective formula in Miele UltraTabs Multi, which work in Miele dishwashers (and other brands' dishwashers too). The solid tablet of powder detergent is easy to use, tidy to store and dissolves completely — including its water-soluble wrapper — once it's dispensed. Each tablet contains three layers of cleaning ingredients that erased stuck-on grime and left stainless steel cookware and flatware shiny and glassware squeaky clean in our tests.
And because they are perfectly shaped little blocks of powder detergent, you won't find any burst packs like you often get with liquid-containing pods, and they won't dissolve in your hands either. They fit neatly in all dispensers. However, they do have a high cost per load at 58 cents.
If you own a Miele dishwasher, try this detergent on the QuickIntense cycle to get incredibly clean and dry dishes in under one hour. It blew us away.
| Form | Tablet |
| Price per load | 58 cents |
Pros
- Doubles as a rinse aid
- Leaves everything shiny and spotless
- Suitable for hard water
Cons
- May still need a separate rinse aid
Finish is another top-performing brand in our tests, and its Ultimate three-chamber packs operate with a special proprietary technology that the brand says releases the right ingredient at the right time, including Finish's trademark red ball center that works like a rinse aid to minimize spotting and filming. (We still recommend using a dedicated rinse aid, particularly if you have very hard water.)
In Cleaning Lab tests, we were highly impressed by the new enzyme-based formula. It effectively cleaned stuck-on foods and rinsed away residue, leaving everything exceptionally shiny and spotless. And it does it all at a very middle-of-the-road cost per load.
| Form | Tablet |
| Price per load | 31 cents |
Pros
- Container is easy to store
- Effective on even 48-hour buildup
- Comes lemon-scented and unscented
Cons
- Pricier than some on our list
Until now, it's been hard to find an eco-friendly cleaning product brand that does a stellar job in the dishwasher, mostly because they've lacked the powerful chemistry needed to achieve effective cleaning. Method has changed all that.
In our tests, the brand's formula — containing enzymes and plant- and mineral-based ingredients — cleaned very well and even removed foods that had been dried onto dishes for 48 hours. Some of our consumer testers said they were switching to these from their regular packs after testing them. Though the packs are on the pricey side, we are also fans of Method's slim, snap-top container, which saves space in under-sink storage. It comes in two versions: lemon scented and unscented.
| Form | Pack |
| Price per load | 38 cents |
Cascade Complete Gel + Oxi Dishwasher Detergent
Pros
- Bleaches stains
- Contains enzymes to break down messes
- Pours well
Cons
- May separate over time
Cascade's hard-working gel contains enzymes to dissolve starchy oatmeal, dried egg and melted cheese. This formula also contains oxi bleach, to help remove stains like tea and coffee.
Gels can be a bit drippy to pour and may separate if left unused for extended periods of time, but in our most recent Cleaning Lab dishwasher detergent test, Cascade Complete + Oxi was our top-tested gel formula — and the only one to sport a child-resistant cap for safety. Bravo! Gels also cost less per load to use than packs, making this another great value pick.
| Form | Gel |
| Price per load | 22 cents |
Pros
- No plastic packaging and comes with a reusable tin
- Leaves glasses and flatware clean and shiny
- Easy and neat to store
Cons
- Some tablets may arrive broken
- One of the more expensive options
Blueland's Dishwasher Starter Set offers a good option for those trying to eliminate plastic packaging from their cleaning products. The unwrapped solid powder dishwasher tablets are shipped in a compostable paper pouch along with an aluminum "forever" tin. Simply transfer the tablets to the tin and recycle the pouch. Once you have the tin, you'll need to order only a refill pouch.
Blueland is a pricier pick, but in Cleaning Lab tests, the tablets delivered impressive results, leaving clean and shiny glasses and flatware. Plus, they were easy to use and store. Some of the tablets may arrive broken, but Blueland makes up for the loss by including extra tablets in the pouch. Signing up to receive these with a subscription saves money too.
| Form | Tablet |
| Price per load | 42 cents |
How we test dishwasher detergents
For each dishwasher detergent we test in the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, we apply our own recipe of a greasy spinach mix to 10-place settings of dinner plates, salad plates, bowls and 50 pieces of flatware. Ten glasses get microwaved with milk. Beaten egg yolk is brushed onto additional bowls and plates. Coffee cup rims are "kissed" with lipstick and then filled with coffee that we allow to spill over onto the matching saucers. Serving platters get smeared with measured amounts of margarine.
Then, we bake macaroni and cheese and baked beans onto casserole dishes, fry a hamburger in a skillet and make a serving of oatmeal in a saucepan. Everything gets dried or baked on for two hours before we load up the two identical dishwashers we use for all our side-by-side detergent testing. Each load is loaded into the dishwasher the exact same way. We choose either the "auto" or "heavy" setting and a drying boost option.
Post-cleaning, we visually check every single item for remaining food bits and greasy residue. The glasses are closely examined for spots and leftover film in a special light box (pictured here). Every detergent is tested exactly the same way for more repeatable and reliable results. That means we soil — and then rate — 176 pieces to test each detergent.
Each detergent package is also evaluated for ease of use, dispensing and storage and the labels are reviewed for thoroughness of the directions, any safety warnings required by law and first aid recommendations.
Which are better: Liquid or pod dishwasher detergents?
In our Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab tests, we've found that dishwashing powders, gels, tablets and packs all work well. Which form you choose pretty much depends on your personal preference, the loads you need to clean and how much money you want to spend. Here's more information to help you decide:
✔️ Powders are usually the most economical choice. They generally contain grease-cutting and other key ingredients, like chlorine bleach, but may not always have the most advanced enzymes or cleaners like those found in single-dose packs where detergent manufacturers are putting most of their development efforts. Powders can also be a bit messy to pour directly into the detergent dispenser and if not stored correctly can clump when exposed to moisture.
✔️ Single-dose packs or tablets are neat, easy and convenient — and, therefore, usually the most expensive. Because they're so popular, they're the most likely to be improved on a regular basis. They can be all powder or have separate gel or liquid components for bleaching or other benefits that combine with the powder once the tablet is dispensed into the cycle. Avoid handling them with wet hands as they can begin to melt and some may stick together or even burst before you get a chance to use them.
✔️ Liquids or gels fall somewhere in between powders and packs. They are easy to dispense and can have enzymes, oxi bleach or other ingredients for effective cleaning, stain removal and more. They can separate over time, so be sure to use them promptly and shake them well before squeezing them into the dispenser. We recommend buying gel dishwasher detergents with child-resistant caps for safety if you have children in the home.
In our tests, we see the biggest differences between brands — not within different forms of the same brand — so if you find a brand that cleans well in your machine and water hardness, any form should likely work for you.
It's also worth noting: Today’s dishwasher detergents are safe to use with septic systems, since they no longer contain phosphates which can be damaging to the environment or ingredients that will harm the bacteria that make septic systems work.
How to get the most out of your dishwasher detergent
No matter how meticulously you load your dishwasher or how often you clean your dishwasher, you'll need a good detergent to get your dishes clean. It's your dishwasher detergent's job to cut through dried-on foods, prevent spots and film and ensure good drying results. These are the steps you can take to help whichever detergent you use do that job better:
- Buy only what you can use up quickly. Dishwasher detergent works best when it's fresh. Stocking up may seem like a good idea, but you should buy only what you can comfortably use in about two months. Moisture and age can cause it to clump, separate and lose effectiveness.
- Fill the dispenser based on your load and water hardness. Most powder and gel detergent labels recommend completely filling both dispenser cups. We think it's a better idea to measure and match the amount of detergent to the hardness of your water and soil on the load. Dishwasher owner's manuals give you a good starting point with their recommendations on how much to use. Use more detergent if your water is hard or the load is very dirty, less in soft water and for lightly soiled loads. For tablets, use just one.
- Place tablets in the dispenser. You may be tempted to just toss them into the bottom of the machine, but don't. Doing so can cause them to dissolve and be flushed away before the main wash portion of the cycle. By placing them in the dispenser, they'll be released at the optimal time.
- Run the faucet before starting the cycle. If cold water sitting in your pipes goes into the machine once you press "start," it can impact cleaning performance. Instead, run the hot water at the nearest sink to purge cold water from the line and guarantee that only hot water enters the dishwasher.
- Be judicious about pre-rinsing. If you are running a cycle immediately after loading, we don't recommend pre-rinsing; skipping it conserves water. All you need to do is wipe away any excess food. But, if you don't have enough dishes for a full load or are planning to start the cycle later, give items a quick rinse at the sink or run a rinse-only cycle if your machine has one to keep odors down and foods from drying on.
- Use a separate rinse aid. While most detergents contain ingredients to help eliminate spots and film, they can get washed away during the cycle. A separate rinse aid, like GH Seal star Cascade Power Dry, gets dispensed directly into the rinse cycle where it's most effective.
- Deep clean your machine. Once per month, give your dishwasher a thorough cleaning with a dishwasher cleaner, like GH Seal star Cascade Platinum Dishwasher Cleaner. It will wash away residues that can deposit on your machine and dishes. Remove and rinse the filter weekly and check for and remove bits of food lodged in the filter well after every cycle.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Carolyn Forté is a consumer products expert with over 4o years of experience evaluating cleaning products and appliances for Good Housekeeping, including dishwashers and dishwasher detergents. She has attended and presented at many industry events related to dishwashing, writes the monthly "Inside the GH Cleaning Lab" column and has authored several Good Housekeeping cleaning and home care advice books. Some of the most frequently asked questions Forté answers are about how to properly load a dishwasher and whether pre-rinsing is really necessary (often to settle the all-too-common marital and family spats). In Forté's opinion, dishes aren't worth fighting over!
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
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