Phosphorus ban on dishwashing detergents goes into effect in 16 states; manufacturers roll out new cleaners nationwide

Consumer Reports News: July 02, 2010 11:21 AM

Phosphates boost not only the cleaning performance of dishwasher detergents but also algae growth in freshwater, threatening aquatic and plant life.

Given that environmental impact, a ban on phosphorus (in the form of phosphates) in dishwasher detergents took effect yesterday in 16 states: Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. The law limits the phosphate level to 0.5 percent, down from up to 8.7 percent previously. Commercial dishwashing products are not affected the ban, and limits on the phosphorus level of laundry detergents have been around since 1994.

With the new limit, manufacturers have reformulated their products for markets across the country. So we decided to test 24 low-phosphate dishwasher detergents—including dispenser products, gels, liquids, pacs, powders, and tablets from brands including Cascade, Ecover, Finish, Method, Seventh Generation, Trader Joe's, and Palmolive.

The good news is that while the low-phosphate products we tested for our last dishwasher-detergent report tended to perform worst overall, several low-phosphate products from different brands were very good this time around. Among the top cleaners, in alphabetical order, are Cascade Complete All In 1 pacs (28 cents per load), Ecover tablets (27 cents), Finish Powerball Tabs tablets (22 cents), and Method Smarty Dish tablets (21 cents).

Look for our test results in the September 2010 issue of Consumer Reports, online and on newsstands at the end of July.

To help your dishwasher perform at its best and keep your items from getting damaged, use the loading tips here. And remember, hard water can affect how well your dishwasher cleans.

1. Load large items at the sides and back of the dishwasher, so that they don't block water and detergent from reaching other dishes.

2. Place the dirtier side of dishes toward the center of the machine to provide more exposure to the spray. Don't let dishes or utensils nest, or rest side by side, which can prevent water from reaching all surfaces.

3. Use the top rack for plastic and delicate items that are dishwasher safe.

4. Rest glassware on prongs to prevent breakage. And to prevent chipping, make sure that china, crystal, and stemware don't touch other items. Don't machine-wash brass, bronze, cast iron, disposable plastics, gold-colored flatware, gold-leaf china, hollow-handle knives, pewter, tin, or anything made of wood or with a wood handle.

5. Load silverware with handles down but place knives with the handles up. If your dishwasher has an open basket, mix spoons, forks, and knives to prevent them from sticking together.

6. Place items with baked-on food facedown and toward the sprayer in the bottom rack. Some newer machines have special spray jets for cleaning heavily-soiled items. Check the owner's manual for specifics on how to place items in the dishwasher.

Essential information: If you need a new dishwasher, try to take advantage of cash for appliances rebates and other incentives. Use our free buyer's guide to dishwashers and check our latest review of dishwashers and recently updated ratings of dishwashers (available to subscribers), part of our special section on kitchen remodeling.

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Phosphorus ban on dishwashing detergents goes into effect in 16 states; manufacturers roll out new cleaners nationwide

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