{{Short description|Type of detergent used in a dishwasher}} [[File:Detergent tablet.jpg|thumb|right|A Finish dishwashing detergent tablet]] '''Dishwasher detergent''' is a detergent made for washing dishes in a dishwasher. Dishwasher detergent is different from dishwashing liquid made to wash dishes by hand.
==Uses== When using a dishwasher, the user must select a special detergent for its use.<ref name="Consumer Reports overview 2017">{{cite web|title=Dishwasher detergents Overview|url=http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/dishwasher-detergents.htm|website=Consumer Reports|accessdate=17 March 2017}}</ref> All detergents are designed for use after the user scrapes leftover food from the dishes before washing.<ref name="Consumer Reports buying guide 2017">{{cite web|title=Dishwasher Detergent Buying Guide|url=http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/dishwasher-detergents/buying-guide.htm|website=Consumer Reports|accessdate=17 March 2017|date=January 2017}}</ref> To function, the user places dishes in the dishwasher in such fashion that the surface of all dishes is open to the flow of water.<ref name="Consumer Reports buying guide 2017"/>
Most dishwasher detergents are incompatible for use with silver, brass, cast iron, bronze, aluminum, pewter, and goldleaf.<ref name="Consumer Reports buying guide 2017"/> They can also harm disposable plastic, anything wood, knives with hollow handles, and fine glassware.They can lead to these materials to be bleached or oxidized.<ref name="Consumer Reports buying guide 2017"/>
==Types== {{expand section|date=March 2023}} Dishwasher detergent can be categorised into three main groups:<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-17 |title=Dishwasher Powder vs Tablets: Which Cleans Better? {{!}} Airtasker UK |url=https://www.airtasker.com/uk/comparisons/dishwasher-powder-vs-tablets/ |access-date=2025-12-23 |website=Airtasker |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-12 |title=Dishwasher Detergent Buying Guide |url=https://www.consumerreports.org/appliances/dishwasher-detergents/buying-guide/ |access-date=2025-12-23 |website=Consumer Reports |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Zoller |first=Uri |title=Handbook of detergents |last2=Showell |first2=Michael S. |date=2006 |publisher=CRC press |isbn=978-0-8247-0350-9 |series=Surfactant science series |location=Boca Raton}}</ref>
# '''Powder''' is a typically budget-friendly detergent, containing powders or granules of water softeners and buffers (e.g. sodium tripolyphosphate), anti-caking agents, and surfactants. Unlike other types of detergent, powders have a much higher percentage of alkaline builders (up to 45-70% sodium carbonate and 5-30% silicates by weight).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Health risk assessment: Dishwasher powder |url=https://www.phfscience.nz/digital-library/health-risk-assessment-dishwasher-powder/ |access-date=2025-12-23 |website=www.phfscience.nz |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Citation |last=Meesters |first=J. a. J. |title=Dishwashing products |date=2018 |work=Cleaning Products Fact Sheet: Default parameters for estimating consumer exposure: Updated version 2018 [Internet] |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK561665/ |access-date=2025-12-23 |publisher=National Institute for Public Health and the Environment |language=en |last2=Nijkamp |first2=M. M. |last3=Schuur |first3=A. G. |last4=Biesebeek |first4=J. D. te}}</ref> # '''Gel''' or '''liquid''' detergent is mostly water, with less than 10% builder by weight. It also contains a high concentration of sulfates (20-50% w/w) to control density and even pouring, bind ingredients, prevent corrosion in the washing system, and as a water softener.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sodium Sulfate in Detergents: Functions & Benefits |url=https://www.jrj-elementix.com/blog/what-are-the-applications-of-sodium-sulfate-in-detergents |access-date=2025-12-23 |website=Sichuan Jiarunji New Materials Co., Ltd. |language=en}}</ref> # '''Pods''' (also called pac(ket)s or tab(let)s) are either small, concentrated bricks of compressed powdered detergent or concentrated liquid detergent encased in a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) packet.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
==Composition== Different kinds of dishwashing detergent contain different combinations of ingredients. Common ingredients include:<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
* '''Phosphates''': Bind calcium and magnesium ions to prevent 'hard-water' type limescale deposits. They can cause ecological damage via eutrophication, and have been partially banned or phased out. * '''Oxygen-based bleaching agents''' (older-style powders and liquids contain chlorine-based bleaching agents): Break up and bleach organic deposits. * '''Non-ionic surfactants''': Lower the surface tension of the water, emulsifies oil, lipid and fat food deposits, prevents droplet spotting on drying. * '''Alkaline salts''': These are a primary component in older and original-style dishwasher detergent powders{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}}. Highly alkaline salts attack and dissolve grease, but are extremely corrosive (fatal) if swallowed. Salts used may include metasilicates, alkali metal hydroxides, sodium carbonate etc.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4259199.html |title=Alkaline dishwasher detergent – The Procter & Gamble Company |publisher=Freepatentsonline.com |date= |accessdate=2012-03-02}}</ref> * '''Enzymes''': Break up protein-based food deposits, and possibly oil, lipid and fat deposits.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Baguley |first1=Richard |title= Appliance Science: How dishwasher detergents digest food stains |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/appliance-science-how-dishwasher-detergents-digest-food-stains |website=CNET |language=en}}</ref> The enzymes used are similar to the ones used in laundry.<ref>{{cite web |date=26 January 2024 |title=Dishwasher detergent for hard water |url=https://thedishwashertips.com/best-dishwasher-detergent-for-hard-water/ |website=The dishwasher tips |publisher=}}</ref> * '''Anti-corrosion agent(s)''': Often sodium silicate, this prevents corrosion of dishwasher components.{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}}
Dishwashing detergent may also contain:{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}}
* Anti-foaming agents:{{citation needed|date=April 2020}} Foam interferes with the washing action. Foam may affect operation of the machine's water-level sensors and will leak past the door seals. * Additives to slow down the removal of glaze & patterns from glazed ceramics * Perfumes * Dyes * Anti-caking agents (in granular detergent) * Starches (in tablet based detergents) * Gelling agents (in liquid/gel based detergents)
Dishwasher detergents are generally strongly alkaline (basic).<ref>{{cite web |title=Curiosities: What's the difference between dishwasher detergent, laundry detergent and dish soap? Why aren't they interchangeable? |url=https://news.wisc.edu/curiosities-whats-the-difference-between-dishwasher-detergent-laundry-detergent-and-dish-soap-why-arent-they-interchangeable/ |website=news.wisc.edu}}</ref>
Inexpensive powders may contain sand{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}. Such detergents may harm the dishes and the dishwasher. Powdered detergents are more likely to cause fading on china patterns.<ref name=sand>{{cite web |url=https://www.hotpointservice.co.uk/hs/pages/content.do?keys=FAQ:PRODUCT_INFO_DISHWASHING |title=Hotpoint Service – Appliance Repairs, Spare Parts and Accessories for Hotpoint, Creda, Ariston |publisher=Hotpointservice.co.uk |accessdate=2012-06-20 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320064306/http://www.hotpointservice.co.uk/hs/pages/content.do?keys=FAQ%3APRODUCT_INFO_DISHWASHING |archivedate=2012-03-20 }}</ref>
Besides older style detergents for dishwashers, biodegradable detergents also exist for dishwashers. These detergents may be more environmentally friendly than conventional detergents.
Hand-washing dish detergent (washing up liquid) creates a large foam of bubbles which will leak from the dishwasher.<ref name="tc">{{cite web|last1=Technology Connections|date=20 December 2020|title=Detergent packs are kinda wishy-washy (Dishwashers Explained)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rBO8neWw04|access-date=23 December 2020|website=YouTube |author1-link=Technology Connections }}</ref>
===Rinse aid=== Rinse aid (sometimes called rinse agent) contains surfactants and uses Marangoni stress to prevent droplet formation, so that water drains from the surfaces in thin sheets, rather than forming droplets.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}}
Rinse aid prevents "spotting" on glassware (caused by droplets of water drying and leaving behind dissolved limescale minerals), and improves drying performance as there is less water remaining to be dried, and a thinner sheet of water has a much larger surface area than a droplet of the same volume.
==See also== * Dishwashing liquid * Cleaning agent ** List of cleaning agents ** List of cleaning products * Soap * Green cleaning * Washing
==References== <references></references>
Category:Detergents Category:Dishwashing Category:Cleaning products