Do you need an effective dishwasher detergent to use in washing dishes with hard water?
This is the right page for you. This article contains a list of hard water dishwasher detergents that work quite well. You will find them very useful in removing the cloudy film or appearance that always comes with using hard water to wash dishes.
To be frank, finding a hard water dishwasher detergent that truly works is no small task. Though every manufacturer claims his product works, the results are not always as advertised, especially when you use them to clean plastic dishes.
You can put the dishes through numerous cycles and the results will still be the same unless you use a powerful cleaner like the ones mentioned in this guide.
What Detergent Can I Use With Hard Water To Wash My Dishes?
When it comes to cleaning dishes with hard water, you can either use a homemade cleaner/detergent or a commercial type. Since hard water does not always work well with most detergents, using a random product that may not get the job done for you.
One of the most powerful hard water supplies you can use in cleaning your dishes is white vinegar.
When added to your dishwasher, white vinegar can remove the hard water mineral deposits from your dishes in a very short while, regardless of how long they have been there.
Removing Hard Water Stains With White Vinegar
Though white vinegar is highly effective against hard water stains on dishes, most plumbers warn that it can wear down the dishwasher seal if not used properly. That could lead to leaks around the dishwasher door.
The right way to use white vinegar for this purpose is to pour a cup of it in a small dish or ramekin and then put it somewhere at the top rack, probably at the center. From there, it can easily get to the dishes.
After you must have put it in that location, close the dishwasher and run a cycle on it. You don’t have to do anything else than to wait and watch.
After the cycle, open the dishwasher and observe the results. You will find the dishes completely clean and sparkling like they are brand new. You won’t find any hard water stains on them anymore.
This method is very effective and will work on all types of dishes, including plastic dishes.
Best Commercial Hard Water Dishwasher Detergents
While the above homemade dishwasher detergent is effective for cleaning dishes with hard water, you can also use some commercial detergents for that purpose.
Below is a list of some of the most recommended dishwasher detergents for hard water you can get from the store.
- Cascade Complete ActionPacs Dishwasher Detergent
Washing dishes consistently with hard water can leave the dishes with mineral deposits from the water. Over time they become cloudy or dull in appearance. Regardless of how well you clean them, they will look like they are dirty or have not been cleaned for a long time.
This is what Cascade dishwasher detergent is meant to deal with it. The detergent contains active ingredients that help in removing hard water stains and film from dishes, thereby restoring that brilliant shine they had when you bought them.
Due to its effectiveness, this product has received several thousands of positive reviews from users across the globe. It is presently the best selling detergent for dishwashers on Amazon.
To use this detergent for cleaning your stained dishes with hard water, simply add one Actionpac in the main dispenser of your dishwasher and close the door. On the machine and run a cycle on it. Do not do anything else. Just leave the detergent to work on the dishes.
Once the cycle is over, open the door and you will find your dishes completely clean. That brilliant shine they had when you bought them will be restored on them.
While using this detergent, you will discover that your dishwasher is not left out in the cleaning. Just like the dishes, it will be fully cleaned. That gross, soapy film that is usually left by hard water will be gone from it.
- Miele Dishwasher Tabs
This brand of dishwasher detergent is also one of the best you can use for removing hard water film and stains from your dishes. The product comes with 120 tabs which you can use to remove stubborn stains and food deposits.
You do not have to unpack the tabs to use them. The foil is water-soluble. Just put it in the dishwasher and it will dissolve on its own during the cycle. For a regular cleaning cycle, you just need to use one of the tablets. If the dishes are stained, you can use two of the tabs to clean them.
When used to wash dishes in a dishwasher, Miele always delivers an excellent result. You can use the tablets with any brand of dishwasher. It will remove even burnt-on foods from your dishes.
- Finish Quantum Max Powerball Dishwasher Detergent Tablets
This product comes with 64 dishwasher tablets that you can use to get rid of dirt from your dishes. The detergent will remove hard water films from your glasses, giving them a brilliant shine.
To use this, simply place one of the tabs in the main detergent cup and close. No need to unwrap it, the tablet will dissolve on its own once it comes in contact with water. Normally, 1 capsule of this detergent is enough for 1 wash load, unless your dishes are so stained you feel they will need more than one of the tablets.
When handling the tablets, ensure you do that with dry hands. After putting 1 of it in the main detergent cup of your dishwasher, close it and run a cycle. Within this time, the tablet will work on the hard water film and other stains on your dishes causing them to be removed easily.
Finish Quantum Max Powerball Dishwasher Detergent Tablets has received so many positive reviews from users, confirming the effectiveness. You can give it a try too and how amazing the results will be. Only ensure you follow the instructions as they on the label.
- Bubble Bandit Dishwasher Detergent With Phosphate
Unlike the first 3 detergents we just reviewed, this hard water detergent for a dishwasher is in powder form. Which means it can serve as a good alternative to the above-mentioned options.
When using this product, you may discover that the dishes look worse after the first wash cycle. But don’t panic. Simply run another wash cycle on them. This time, they will be thoroughly clean.
The reason you may notice what I just said is that the detergent starts by cleaning out mineral deposits that have built up on your dishwasher. After removing the limescale, calcium buildup and film from the device, then it works on the dishes.
That means you will be getting both your dishes and dishwasher well cleaned from using this detergent.
To use this, the manufacturers recommend that you only 2 to 3 tablespoons in each cycle. Remember you will be running at least two wash cycles on the dishes before you get your perfect result.
Unlike many dishwasher detergents, Bubble Bandit detergent is great for use with hard water. You can give it a try and see how powerful it is for yourself. The product is definitely worth the hype.
- Lemi Shine Booster Dishwasher Detergent Additive
Lemi Shine is a very powerful detergent booster that you can use to eliminate hard water stains on most dishes and glassware. The additive works quite well with almost any detergent.
By using this alongside your detergent in every load, you will be saying a permanent goodbye to every hard water stain on your dishes and glassware. It will ensure they are always sparkling.
Apart from working on the dishes, Lemi Shine also works on the dishwasher. In the process of cleaning your dishes and glassware, it will also clean and deodorize the machine.
If hard water has caused the surface of your dishes and glasses to become dull or cloudy, Lemi Shine Booster Dishwasher Detergent Addictive is one product you can trust to get rid of that. It is septic system friendly, non-toxic and biodegradable. You can use it with kids and pets around.
With this, you no longer have to always hand scrub your dishes to remove hard water stains from them. Simply add it in every load and let it do all the work for you.
In Summary
Regardless of how moderate hard water is, it can stain the surface of our dishes and glassware. Over time, these dishes become dull in appearance. Though many detergents claim to deal with this, only a few of them truly work.
Are you searching for the best hard water dishwasher detergent to clean your dishes with?
I hope you find the ones mentioned here useful.