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Lisbet
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| Posted: Nov 19 2009 at 12:53pm | IP Logged
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On the heels of the dishwasher thread...
Our farmhouse has a dishwasher - we have never had a dishwasher before and my kids are psyched - I am skeptical. 
What do you recommend in the way of detergent? I don't want have to buy a lot, as I will still be needing regular dish soap. Any recipes to make our own?
Also, how many times a day should we expect to run it? Right now we wash three times a day after each meal - good full loads, plus any cooking dishes and such that we may have. I fill the sink at least 6 times a day.
I am so clueless! I just want to keep doing it by hand, but I think my kids will revolt!
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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SusanJ
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| Posted: Nov 19 2009 at 1:00pm | IP Logged
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They might change their minds when they find that the rinsing required beforehand and the re-wash afterwards of stuff that didn't get clean is more work in the long run!
I'm kidding, I hope. I'm sure there are some good dishwashers out there.
About soap--I hate that chlorine stuff and I try to use only natural cleaning products. But after trying so many different brands of better dishwasher soaps I only really got my dishes clean using Cascade. But you can usually use WAY less than recommended. So that is one way to save money.
I've had a dishwasher in three of our five homes so far and right now we don't have one. I only miss it when we've had a ton of houseguests but I suppose in a bigger family you have an equivalent situation all the time.
And, there was a thread awhile back about how dishwashers are actually more efficient. So don't beat yourself up if you love your dishwasher and run it three times/day.
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Mom to Joseph-8, Margaret-6, William-4, Gregory-2, and new little one due 11/1
Life Together
[URL=http://thejohnstonkids.blogspot.com]The Kids' Blog[/UR
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DominaCaeli
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| Posted: Nov 19 2009 at 1:07pm | IP Logged
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SusanJ wrote:
| But after trying so many different brands of better dishwasher soaps I only really got my dishes clean using Cascade. But you can usually use WAY less than recommended. So that is one way to save money. |
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Ditto this! I've tried lots of different brands (I'm an off-brand kind of girl  ), and I always end up having to go back to Cascade. I use their cheapest powder version and it does a really good job.
I also wanted to add that I pre-wash very little now that I read it was unnecessary--and sure enough, it seems to be in most cases. I do have to rewash a dish here and there, but that is more based on location of dishes within the washer rather than pre-washing.
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Celeste
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stefoodie
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| Posted: Nov 19 2009 at 1:16pm | IP Logged
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we use cascade, but also use the tip i think i found here - i put baking soda in the other dispenser instead of more dishwashing detergent. cuts down on cost. although i still run a double rinse, because i'm afraid of things i've read on dishwasher detergent residue.
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mom to five
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Michaela
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| Posted: Nov 19 2009 at 1:40pm | IP Logged
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Hi Lisa,
We usually use Liquid Cascade.
(just found someone else's review on liquid vs. powder) I agree that I have better control over pouring the liquid with less waste then trying to pour powder into the small dispensers.
I don't know if it was the machine or using powder, but in our old house, I would notice a large portion of the powder still sitting in the dispenser after washing. Soap still in dispenser(=)waste of powder and dishes not clean. Another run through(+)more powder for the load = money being wasted. That's what influenced me to switch to gel.
However, , we got a GREAT deal on Electrasol powerball tablets (DH bought 4 - 85 tablet containers for $2 each after sale and coupons) and we are stocked up for a while. There hasn't been a problem with this particular brand. (I know having a different dishwasher is a factor, as well.)
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Michaela
Momma to Nicholas 16, Nathan 13, Olivia 13, Teresa 6, & Anthony 3
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Michaela
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| Posted: Nov 19 2009 at 3:26pm | IP Logged
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Lisbet wrote:
| Also, how many times a day should we expect to run it? Right now we wash three times a day after each meal - good full loads, plus any cooking dishes and such that we may have. I fill the sink at least 6 times a day. |
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This answer probably depends a lot on how many dishes you have.
If you use 10-12 plates at your breakfast meal, do you have enough left in your cabinet for lunch (10-12)then another 10-12 for dinner? If not, that's a hint to how many times you may have to run it. Plus the cups, which I know many families use ONE cup per person all day so that might not be as much of a obstacle. How about silverware?
When we had my SIL and her family living here, I washed everything by hand after each meal. It was the only way to keep the cabinet full (figuring in snack or tea time we went through a lot) plus the wait time for the dishwasher to wash then dry.
Now, I run my dishwasher 1-2 times a day. My dishwasher unloader will complain that he has already unloaded the dishwasher  I have to remind him that means I was busy too because I had to reload it (the harder job, IMHO ).
Load for efficiency in cleanliness (bowls and cups on the top rack) and efficiency in unloading -- the unloader has an easier time if like items are together. (Dinner plates separated from the smaller salad/dessert plate).
Many prayers for you and your family, Lisa, as you move into your new home! I know this is something you have wanted for a very long time. Congratulations!!
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Michaela
Momma to Nicholas 16, Nathan 13, Olivia 13, Teresa 6, & Anthony 3
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Angel
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| Posted: Nov 19 2009 at 3:43pm | IP Logged
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We have one of the largest dishwashers on the market and run ours twice a day. Pots and pans gets washed by hand.
Dishwasher detergent effectiveness can really depend on how hard or soft your water is, too. Our water is really, really hard, so liquid detergent works better. We also have to put in some Lemi-shine often to get the hard water deposits off the dishes.
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Angela
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juststartn
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| Posted: Nov 23 2009 at 4:04pm | IP Logged
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Actually, I use my homemade laundry soap. And white vinegar in the rinse cycle.
I don't know if I ought to be embarrassed, or not...Zote laundry soap, washing soda, borax, baking soda, and water.
But it works.
Rachel
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hylabrook1
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Well, just a couple of months ago we had an expensive repair on our 6 year old dw. I don't know the technicalities/names of parts, etc. Some crucial plastic part inside was deteriorated to the point that it was shredded. The first words out the technician's mouth, "What brand of detergent do you use?" Kirkland. NOOOO!!!! He said to use only Cascade. So now I"m passing up what seemed like the better bargain at Costco and sticking with the Cascade.
Peace,
Nancy
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Kristie 4
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| Posted: Nov 24 2009 at 12:18pm | IP Logged
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Cascade was horrible in my machine, and I couldn't stand the awful smell.
We have had wonderful results with the Seventh Generation phosphate free brand from the health food store. It is pricey but the chemical stuff actually wasn't washing the dishes and the seventh Generation stuff leaves the dishes squeaky clean...
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Jess
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| Posted: Nov 27 2009 at 2:26pm | IP Logged
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I think the type of water you have matters too. We have hard water and have to use cascade or the dishes are not clean. We tried to use homemade detergent but it left horrible film on everything. I tried several recipes, vinegar in the rinse, lots of stuff, but nothing worked. So we went back to cascade gel. We recently tried those little action packs (I think that is what they are called) and they work great.
I read once that using the dishwasher (if it is a newer model) is less expensive than washing by hand. I can't remember where I read that and I'm not sure if that is true if you have to run it several times a day.
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Jess
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star cottage
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cornomama4
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I'll second the water type issue. We have well water on the "farm" and have a Kinetico softener. All we good for about a month after we moved in and then all of a sudden nothing was getting clean and there was this weird yellow film on everything. When I canned my peach butter, the jars were covered with a strange ash-like substance. Once we got the softener working correctly again everything came out clean. I still use Cascade but I use so little it's commical. Same with laundry soap, except the barn clothes!!!
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Rosesinsummer
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| Posted: Nov 28 2009 at 12:03am | IP Logged
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I've tried many brands, including natural/environmental brands like Melaleuca's, but I'm a tried and true Electrosol fan now. I like it even better than Cascade.
So, I suggest Electrosol! 
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Jess
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| Posted: Nov 28 2009 at 3:18pm | IP Logged
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oh I forgot to say that some of my friends who have water softeners have used homemade detergent and it worked great for them.
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Jess
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Dishwasher Detergent and other ?'s
