Finish And Cascade Sink The Competition In Consumer Reports Tests Of Dishwasher Detergents

In new hard-water performance tests, some left glass covered with white film

YONKERS, N.Y., May 17, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- When it comes to dishwasher detergents, few leave dishware sparkling according to Consumer Reports latest tests. Finish Powerball Tabs and Cascade Complete All In 1 ActionPacs earned the highest marks in CR's Ratings of nonphosphate gels, liquids, packs, pods, powders and tablets.  Finish Quantum, top-rated in the last round of tests, slipped to third place because of its performance in CR's new hard-water tests.

The report is available online now at www.ConsumerReports.org and in the July 2012 issue of Consumer Reports, which goes on sale Tuesday, June 5.

In tests, many dishwasher detergents left food stuck to plates or pots.  Finish Powerball Tabs, the only CR Best Buy at 21 cents per load, and Cascade Complete All In 1 ActionPacs, a CR Recommended product that costs 29 cents per load, both cleaned dishes and pots well and dishware washed in these detergents didn't have water spots, white film, or discolored aluminum. 

Detergents from Great Value (Walmart), 8 cents per load, and Kirkland Signature (Costco), 7 cents per load, are cheaper and sold in a hefty size but didn't clean very well in Consumer Reports' tests.

In its latest tests, Consumer Reports added hard-water performance to the Ratings of models first reported on in October 2011.  CR began this test last year in response to  readers comments about a white film or cloudy buildup on dishware.  Laws in several states removed phosphates from dishwasher detergents a few years ago and phosphates can be used to address some cleaning challenges due to hard water

Consumer Reports found several products that allowed glassware to be covered with a frosty-white film-a residue of minerals-to varying degrees in just 20 washes using very hard water.  The Laundress and Method Smarty Dish earned the lowest marks for film and discoloring.

And, while no type of detergent was best overall, liquids and gels tended to fall towards the bottom of Consumer Reports' Ratings.  Whatever the detergent, consumers can get cleaner dishes by adding a rinse agent, making sure the water is hot (120 degrees), separating flatware, and facing dirty dishes towards water jets. 

Consumer Reports is the world's largest independent product-testing organization. Using its more than 50 labs, auto test center, and survey research center, the nonprofit rates thousands of products and services annually. Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has over 8 million subscribers to its magazine, website and other publications. Its advocacy division, Consumers Union, works for health reform, food and product safety, financial reform, and other consumer issues in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace.

MAY 2012

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SOURCE Consumer Reports