powdered dishwasher detergent benner (1)

The Best Powdered Dishwasher Detergent

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Ben Murray
Published on
March 12th, 2019

Expert BioExpert Bio

Ben’s formal training and certifications in cleaning include the ASD (Advanced Structural Drying), AMRT (Applied Microbial Remediation Technician),
WRT (Water restoration technician), CCT (Carpet Cleaning technician), and bio hazard cleanup, as well as several other certifications from the IICRC. Ben has managed teams involved in cleaning projects around the United States. Ben’s passion for cleaning dates all the way back to keeping his rugby gear tidy while a young lad. Ben holds an undergraduate degree from Oxford, a Master’s degree from Oxford, and a mountain of hands on experience at the school of hard knocks.

The Cleaning Institute

Washing the dishes thoroughly is essential to protect your health and feel comfortable with reusing your plates and utensils each day. Most households rely on their dishwasher to do the dirty work and remove leftover residue while also killing the bacteria that is present. The type of detergent that is used determines how much leftover food is removed and if grease or residue is left behind. We tested different powdered dishwasher detergent products in the industry to determine which one was most effective and powerful. Our top pick is the Grab Green Natural Automatic Dishwashing Detergent Powder due to its ability to clean the dishes without leaving behind spots or residue. The bag is also convenient to use, as it has a velcro closure. Our honorable mention is the Cascade Powder Dishwasher Detergent because it is effective without containing any harsh chemicals or toxins, which can often be left behind on dishware. The product is also concentrated, which means that a little goes a long way.

Testing Categories

We have our years of experience with performing tests on different types of products in various industries and have learned the usefulness of creating categories during our process. The categories allow us to rate each product and compare them to one another. The testing categories for the powdered dishwasher detergent products that we tested include power, convenience, and odor.

Power: The power of each powdered dishwasher detergent was one of our main categories for testing each product to determine how well it cleaned the dishes and if any of the dishes needed to be rewashed during a second load. We evaluated how much food was left behind on the dishware and if water spots were present once everything dried.

Convenience: One of our top categories was the convenience of using each product when handling it and adding it to the dishwasher. The packaging contributed to how convenient the product was to use and also details the clarity of the instructions that were provided.

Odor: We evaluated the odor and scent of each dishwashing detergent powder to determine if it smelled natural or overpowering, which contributed to its appeal and value. We also considered if it smelled like chemicals or had a natural aroma.

Top Pick

Grab Green Natural Automatic Dishwashing Detergent Powder

The Grab Green Natural Automatic Dishwashing Detergent Powder has a pouch of 80 loads with a detergent that is fragrance-free & doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals in the formula.

Price Check

Most notable upside: For one, the instructions are easy to understand. The concentrated non-toxic formula has the proper balance of both plant and mineral-based ingredients without leaving behind a film on the dishware with each load that is washed. Clear instructions are provided on the packaging for ease of use and added convenience. The pouch is easy to use due to its velcro closure, which means that consumers no longer have to hassle difficult zip closures that are prone to opening. The detergent leaves behind spotless dishes that shine and look flawless. The powder is easy to measure with the durable plastic scoop that is provided. It’s high quality because the product is not diluted when compared to liquid detergents, which delivers excellent results without having to use as much of the product, and this provides added value and savings. It offers superior cleaning power to completely remove grime and grease. Grapefruit and cranberry scents are also available. The detergent powder is safe to use and will allow them to reduce their carbon footprint with a product that isn’t harmful to the environment. It doesn’t contain any phosphates, chlorine, dyes, toxins, animal by-products, masking agents, phosphates, or phthalates. The detergent is made in the USA with domestic and imported components, including ingredients that are naturally-derived. It’s also cruelty-free and is never tested on animals.

Biggest downsides: The grapefruit and cranberry scents don’t smell natural and are too strong, which can cause the dishware to smell once the load is washed. The powdered detergent can also leave behind a white powder on the dishes and the inside of the dishwasher after a few loads are completed, which can leave a mess behind.

Honorable Mention

Cascade Powder Dishwasher Detergent

The Cascade Powder Dishwasher Detergent has a lemon scent that is fresh and smells natural. The dishwasher detergent powder has a high level of grease-fighting powder as well.

Price Check

Most notable upside: This product can also be purchased in gel or ActionPacs for added convenience. The Cascade Powder Dishwasher Detergent leaves the dishwasher smelling clean after each load has been completed. It’s considered to be the most recommended brand in North America and has commonly been used in oil spills that have occurred around the world. It can be used with Cascade Platinum Rinse Aid for more effective results and to avoid spotting. The detergent is especially useful for households that have hard water, as this can leave behind film and residue. It still delivers shiny and spot-free dishes despite the type of water that is used, which makes it more powerful than similar brands. The detergent allows dishes to shine and look glossy once they dry. The product is formulated with the grease-fighting power of Dawn to deliver impressive results. It can even be used with the Cascade Dishwasher cleaner to remove the buildup of limescale or any odors that may be lingering in the appliance after frequent use. It does not leave a film behind, which can prevent having to wash the dishes by hand once they’ve been cleaned in the dishwasher. The product is also considered to be safe to use for glassware or fragile items. It quickly removes thick residue that has been left behind on pots and pans, even without pre-rinsing performed, which proves that it’s one of the toughest products available.

Biggest downsides: White residue may be left behind on any dishware or products that are made out of plastic or have a nonstick coating and require rinsing or scrubbing. Plastic or glass dishes can have residue that forms on the product and is not easy to remove during the load. The scum may also form on the inside of the dishwasher.

Green Pick

Grab Green Natural Automatic Dishwashing Detergent Powder

The Grab Green Natural Automatic Dishwashing Detergent Powder contains 80 loads and is fragrance-free. It is convenient to use when loading the dishwasher and offers a spot-free, brilliant shine.

Price Check

Most notable upside: The Grab Green Natural Automatic Dishwashing Detergent Powder contains 80 loads in a package that includes a velcro closure, which makes it easy to seal the package and keep it secure without hassling with frustrating zip closures that don’t stay closed. It delivers impressive results and cleans dishes and glassware thoroughly without leaving behind residue or spots. The powder is easily measured with a scoop that is included to tackle the toughest loads without the use of harsh chemicals or toxins. The powdered detergent is not diluted like liquid detergent, which means you are get better results without using as much product, which equals out to more value for your money. We chose this as our green pick due to its eco-friendly ingredients, which are safe for both your family and the environment. All of the ingredients are naturally derived and do not contain chlorine, phosphates, dyes, phthalates, masking agents, or toxins. The product is cruelty-free and is made in the U.S.A. The packaging includes clear and descriptive instructions on how to use the product to ensure that dishes are thoroughly cleaned.

Biggest downsides: The scented Grab Green detergent powder contains fragrances and is not considered to be eco-friendly. The product is prone to leaving behind residue and a coating on the inside of the dishwasher. Silicone products are more prone to developing spots when compared to glass.

All Our Picks

Tips for Effective Dishwasher Cleaning

The dishwasher can be cleaned once or twice each year by using one cup of white vinegar and placing it in the top rack of the appliance. Cleaning the appliance can allow it to run more effectively and deliver better results. Close the dishwasher and run a normal load to ensure that any grime or grease residue is completely removed when sanitizing everything. After the cycle is completed, use one cup of baking soda and sprinkle it around the bottom of the dishwasher. The baking soda will freshen up the inside of the dishwasher and will also brighten up the surfaces by removing stains or water spots that have formed. Run it through a second cycle with baking soda and hot water.

If mold or mildew is present in the dishwasher, consider using ½ cup of concentrated bleach in the second cycle. If the dishwasher is stainless steel, avoid using any bleach or opt for watering it down. The dishwasher can be kept clean by running the garbage disposal before running a cycle of the dishwasher because the disposal runs into the same line, which can lead to standing water that forms in the bottom of the appliance. Spacing out full loads of dishes inside your dishwasher is also necessary to ensure that food particles and grime are thoroughly removed. The water should also be hot enough when running the appliance. Set your hot water heater to 120 F to ensure that all of the bacteria is removed.

A Note About Safety and Storage

Powdered dishwasher detergent should always be stored in a locked storage space that is out of reach of children and animals. Keep the product away from other types of chemicals or cleaning products. The area where it’s stored should be dry and at room temperature to increase the detergent’s lifespan. Consider storing it on a shelf that is out of reach and difficult to access.

The Best Powdered Dishwasher Detergent

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Ben Murray

The Cleaning Institute

Testing Categories

Grab Green Natural Automatic Dishwashing Detergent Powder

Cascade Powder Dishwasher Detergent

Grab Green Natural Automatic Dishwashing Detergent Powder

All Our Picks

Grab Green Natural Automatic Dishwashing Detergent Powder

Cascade Powder Dishwasher Detergent

Grab Green Natural Automatic Dishwashing Detergent Powder

Tips for Effective Dishwasher Cleaning

A Note About Safety and Storage

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