Topics:

• How do detergents work?
• Contents of dishwashing detergent
• What do enzymes do?

Answer:

Most detergents are either enzyme-based or bleach-based products.

• Enzyme-based products are live creatures that "come to life" to help break down proteins in the dishwasher.
• Bleaches kill enzymes and are not compatible in a liquid format.
  • Bleach works better for stains such as those from coffee or tea.
• It is best to find out what kind of clean is needed in order to recommend the best soap to clean with.
• Dishwasher detergents are strongly alkaline (basic).
• Inexpensive powders may contain sand, which can be verified by dissolving the powder in boiling water and then passing the solution through a coffee filter.
  • Such detergents may harm the dishes and the dishwasher.
• Powdered detergents are more likely to cause fading on china patterns.

• Dissolves calcium and magnesium ions to prevent hard-water-type limescale deposits.
  • Unfortunately, they can cause ecological damage, so their use is starting to be phased out.
  • Phosphate-free detergents are sold as eco-friendly detergents.

• Older-style powders and liquids contain chlorine-based bleaching agents.
• Breaks up and bleaches organic deposits.

• Lowers the surface tension of the water, emulsifies oil, lipid, and fat food deposits, prevents droplet spotting on drying.

Enzymes

• Breaks up and dissolves protein-based food deposits, and possibly oil, lipid, and fat deposits. Proteases do this by breaking down the proteins into smaller peptides that are more easily washed away.

• Often sodium silicate, this prevents corrosion of dishwasher components.

• Foam interferes with the washing action.

• Slow down the removal of glaze and patterns from glazed ceramics.

• Found in granular detergent.

• Found in tablet-based detergents.

• Found in liquid/gel based detergents.

• Found in inexpensive powdered detergents.