How clean is enough?

[Milims]

I recently had to buy a new dishwasher (briefly sits in corner with head bowed awaiting telling off for using the phrase "had to buy" and "dishwasher" in the same sentence - but I have my reasons ) Anyway, it came with a free sample of a certain kind of dishwashing product. So tonight, as I had pans to be washed I used one of the blocks of product. I was amazed at how shiney the dishes came out - but am kind of worried as to what they use to get them like that and why would anyone want to be so dazzled?

[The Riff-Raff Element]

I recently had to buy a new dishwasher (briefly sits in corner with head bowed awaiting telling off for using the phrase "had to buy" and "dishwasher" in the same sentence - but I have my reasons ) Anyway, it came with a free sample of a certain kind of dishwashing product. So tonight, as I had pans to be washed I used one of the blocks of product. I was amazed at how shiney the dishes came out - but am kind of worried as to what they use to get them like that and why would anyone want to be so dazzled?

It's next to Godliness. Buy Sun dishwasher tablets for your new Electrolux or whatever, and your soul will be cleansed even unto equal measure.

[Millymollymandy]

Milims - does this mean that when you wash by hand you don't have dazzling plates? I'm shocked!!!

(Beware, a lot of these products take the design off your plates and turn all your glassware cloudy, and don't put anything non stick in a dishwasher cos it washes it off!).

Edit: we have better results (i.e. less ruining of glass etc) with lower temps and eco tabs

[fran]

I believe in dishwashers, especially as mine is mainly a dirty crockery store thereby keeping the kitchen clear! Anyway, have you tried soap nuts in the dishwasher with a touch of white vinegar to add a shine

[MKG]

Yep. Dishwasher tablets contain the normal detergenty kind of stuff. But they also contain abrasives. Shiney, shiney, shorty lifey.

Mike

[pelmetman]

I have a eco dishwasher, I just say the washing up needs doing and it gets done ..............mind you it does get a bit lippy sometimes, so I find a cattle prod quite useful when its playing up

Dave

[Thomzo]

I recently had to buy a new dishwasher (briefly sits in corner with head bowed awaiting telling off for using the phrase "had to buy" and "dishwasher" in the same sentence

And the problem is ??????

Dishwashers aren't a luxury. A TV is a luxury

Oh, and I only use the Co-op's own brand of tablet with some white vinegar in lieu of rinse aid.

Is it safe to use soap nuts? They are poisonous.

Zoe

[Milims]

Is it safe to use soap nuts? They are poisonous.

Wouldn't the rinse cycle be enough to clean it all off? I guess that since Fran is still in the land of the living it should be ok!
Oh and BTW Zoe - I've seen the pic of your dish washer - most definately a necessity as it multi tasks as a stress buster and comforter!
Fran - how do I use the soapnuts in the dishwasher?

[123sologne]

Well I am sure I have read in quite a few places that a full dishwasher uses less water than washing it all by hand. But I suppose washing it all by hand does not use electricity, but there again it uses your time, and you know what they say about time.... So it all counts...

[fran]

Milims - put the soapnuts in the cutlery holder. Actually the dishwasher engineer said that dishwasher tablets should also be put in the cutlery holder to be at their most efficient and not in the bit in the door.
The retailer that I get my soapnuts from says on its website that it is okay to use them in the dishwasher:
http://www.inasoapnutshell.com/
and like Milims says, I am still here

[Milims]

Well I am sure I have read in quite a few places that a full dishwasher uses less water than washing it all by hand. But I suppose washing it all by hand does not use electricity, but there again it uses your time, and you know what they say about time.... So it all counts...

I read somewhere that interms of time, washing dishes by hand takes up 2 full weeks of your year! I know that the other day washing by hand took me 3/4 hour - time that I'd rather be doing something much more interesting.
My need for a dishwasher really began when my children were babies - it's a good way to ensure that bottles are extra clean and doing it all by hand and with cold water sterilizer, I suffered from very painful dermatitis. So in my case it was hands that don't do dishes can be soft as your face mwhen you don't use washing up liquid!

[Thomzo]

BTW Zoe - I've seen the pic of your dish washer - most definately a necessity as it multi tasks as a stress buster and comforter!

Lol: my dishwasher's famous.

[mrsflibble]

i miss having a dishwasher

[greenorelse]

I like doing the washing up. I wouldn't want to be given a dishwasher, let alone waste my cash on one, as I'd miss the time given over to thinking or listening to something decent on the radio.

No doubt there are people out there who sincerely believe that the energy used in creating yet another piece of machinery, the energy consumed during its use and its subsequent disposal and the energy required to earn the money for all this will be less than that used when washing by hand.

[Milims]

I like doing the washing up. I wouldn't want to be given a dishwasher, let alone waste my cash on one, as I'd miss the time given over to thinking or listening to something decent on the radio.

Oddly I rather like washing up at someone elses house! On boxing day we were at a friends and I happily washed up the supper dishes for 27 people - and I managed to cut myself and bleed on many of them so had to wash them all over again! I just hate washing my own dishes!