When choosing a powder for dishwashers, users constantly ask themselves the question - how does one powder differ from another? And how does this type of detergent actually work? In order to answer all the reader's questions, which have accumulated a lot, we have developed this information material. In it we will tell:
- How powders work and how they wash dishes;
- About the most popular trade marks;
- About homemade tools and their obvious shortcomings.
After reading this material, you will know everything about powders that is necessary for the full and safe operation of the dishwasher.
The principle of the powder
A dishwasher is an unfamiliar device for domestic consumers. Somehow they didn’t take root in our apartments, and there’s nothing to be done about it. However, recently sales have nevertheless grown, but for many people the principle of operation of the dishwasher remains a mystery. Does she wash each plate individually? However, no - the good fairy is not sitting here, washing dishes, cups and spoons with a sponge. Everything is much more prosaic - washing is carried out with water under high pressure, using a special powder.
It is the powder that is the most important link in the whole process. The surfactants contained in it are highly active and quickly remove all existing contaminants from cups and plates.. The better the composition of these substances, and the more auxiliary components here, the better the quality of washing. An iron rule works here - cheap powders wash worse than their expensive counterparts. However, there are exceptions to the rules.
The principle of action of powdered products is extremely simple. During the washing process, they dissolve in softened water, which is directed under pressure to the dishes in the dishwasher chamber. As a result of such a powerful impact, pollution is washed down, and then removed into the sewer. The duration of the process varies from about half an hour to two to three hours.
What is in dishwasher detergent?
- Surfactants - they are responsible for washing dishes;
- Auxiliary substances - for example, oxygen bleaches;
- Enzymes - improve the washing off of some contaminants;
- Perfumes - give powders a pleasant smell.
Also, the composition may include various phosphates - these are quite harmful salts of phosphoric acid, which soften water and improve the properties of the product used. In many powdered products, they have not been used for a long time, as they pollute the environment.
How to use dishwasher powder
This question is asked by many users who have bought a dishwasher for the first time and do not yet know how to handle this miracle unit. Using dishwasher powder is no more difficult than pouring washing powder into a washing machine - the principle is exactly the same here. Just pour it into the appropriate compartment (you will find its location in the instructions for your machine), select the program and start the wash. Ready!
Are there any nuances? Undoubtedly:
- The amount of powder varies depending on the manufacturer. Read carefully what is written on the packaging of detergents. If it says to pour 30 grams, pour the appropriate amount of detergent using a measuring cup;
- Do not exceed the indicated dose.Otherwise, plaque from excess powder may remain on the plates. Also, an overdose leads to excessive foaming;
- If a half wash is performed, reduce the dose by half. Half mode involves saving the resources expended, therefore, the detergent in the dishwasher should be half as much as usual.
Are you planning to wash a fragile Chinese porcelain service, silverware or wooden utensils with varnish and painting in the dishwasher? Then you should carefully read the annotation for the purchased products - the thing is that some of them are not suitable for certain types of dishes. Be sure to check the powders you buy for compatibility, otherwise you risk getting faded silver, clouded crystal, or peeling wooden cups and spoons.
Popular dishwasher powders
In order to orient you in the world of detergents, we will conduct a short excursion for you and tell you about the most popular machine chemicals with indication of brands. This will help save money on the purchase and get at your disposal an effective washing powder at an affordable price.
Powder Finish
Perhaps every person who buys a dishwasher has come across such a popular product as Finish dishwasher powder. Convenient plastic bottle that fits whole 2.5 kg of this powdered product will cost you about 900 rubles. One such bottle is enough for a huge number of washing cycles, so you don’t need to grab your head when you see the price tag for this product. What characterizes Finish?
- Low cost per wash;
- Brilliant results after every wash cycle;
- Excellent laundering of burnt and adhered contaminants;
- No streaks on plates, cups and spoons;
- Good result even without soaking;
- The presence in the composition of "additives" that further soften the water and improve the quality of washing.
Please note that several types of Finish powders are on sale, differing in their filling - they contain various additives that improve the quality of washing certain types of dishes.
Somat Powder
Inexpensive and highly effective Somat dishwasher powder costs mere pennies, so it is aimed at economical users.The manufacturer positions it as a product with a soda effect, which means that all pollution will be defeated without any talk. Somat does not leave white streaks and plaque, it is perfectly washed off even with a small amount of water, it does not contain harmful components. But it includes enzymes that improve the quality of washing.
The powder is sold in plastic bottles, which contain 2.5 kg of detergent. Wherein its cost is approximately 550-650 rubles - a worthy sum for a high-quality and powerful fight against food pollution. It is produced according to German standards, but at Russian production facilities, which determines the availability of the product. By the way, this powder can also be an ideal starting point in the procedure for selecting the optimal remedy. And some users continue to use it after trying it only once.
Powder Claro
Austrian dishwasher detergent Claro is positioned as an inexpensive and powerful composition for dealing with dirty spoons, bowls and other household utensils. European household chemicals are of good quality, so you can always count on more than decent results. The powder is well suited to all dishwashers and successfully washes away burnt and stuck dirt, including those with a high starch content. Well, there is nothing to say about fatty spots - they simply have no chance of surviving.
Claro powder, according to the manufacturer, it's a "triple hit on dirty dishes". Such statements are due to the fact that it uses a multicomponent scheme of three types of granules.Green granules are the main detergent, taking on the main responsibility in the fight against pollution.To the aid of green pellets, white oxygen pellets rush to the rescue, acting as the second front in the war with dirty dishes. Well, blue granules prevent the formation of lime stains and have a hydrophobic effect, facilitating drying.
Where to buy dishwasher powder? They are sold in all supermarkets and hypermarkets, in departments with household chemicals. If you want to save money in your wallet, use online stores with pickup points and free shipping. We also recommend that you carefully monitor ongoing promotions that allow you to purchase some products with significant discounts - so you can buy household chemicals for more affordable money.
How to replace dishwasher powder
Dishwasher powders are a great substitute. For example, tablets can act as it - they contain many components that help soften water, wash off the most stubborn dirt and ensure complete removal of the product from the surface of cups and spoons. In general, an excellent complex multifunctional tool. If you want to use tablets, be sure to read the instructions for your machine - it is quite possible that it does not support the use of tablets.
Another replacement will be a special gel created specifically for dishwashers.It dissolves perfectly in water and is also easily washed off, leaving no traces or streaks behind. Another thing is that gel products, unlike the same powders and tablets, have not received proper distribution.
You may ask, is it possible to replace the powder for household dishwashers with ordinary detergent? No, you can't do this because chemistry for manual washing is characterized by strong foaming, which is unacceptable in dishwashers. Therefore, the use of such chemicals is prohibited - you can break your equipment and lose the manufacturer's warranty.
Do-it-yourself dishwasher powder
Did you know that you can make your own dishwasher powder? This opportunity really exists, and many people take advantage of this by creating their own homemade detergents. What are their advantages?
- Comparative cheapness;
- Absence of phosphates and harmful components;
- No allergenic fragrances.
There are also disadvantages:
- Poor wash quality
- Possibility of damaging the dishwasher.
Homemade powders for household dishwashers in most cases include soda ash. Mustard powder, hydrogen peroxide or even soap shavings are also added here (by the way, it foams well, which is already a minus). Solutions of these products are added to dishwashers and used to wash dishes.
We do not recommend the use of such products. if only for the reason that there are a huge number of powders on sale, the price of which is extremely low - the cost of one wash when using them is only a few rubles.In this case, the dishwasher will remain safe and sound, while a homemade tool can "kill" your machine and turn it into a pile of scrap metal with a voided warranty.
