I Asked 4 Plumbers To Name the Best Dishwasher Detergent—They All Said This

There is nothing worse than putting a load of dishes into the dishwasher and then realizing you are out of detergent. When I run to the supermarket to stock up, I typically reach for the cheapest product. But after talking to four plumbers, I realized that not all dishwasher detergents are made equal!

Roger Wakefield, one of the most followed plumbing influencers, explains that quality dishwasher detergents are made to do one thing: break down grease, oils, and fat residue from your dishes. When they don’t, the remnants clog your pipes.

Quality dish detergents, Wakefield explains, should be “low-sudsing, and they clean effectively while minimizing residue buildup within the pipes or the machine itself.” Low-sudsing is important because “over time, using too much soap can lead to a soap scum buildup in your drains or pipes that make it easy for food particles, grease, and mineral[s] in the water to all stick together, and that can cause clogs.”

Who knew that dishwater detergent could have such an impact on your plumbing? Thankfully, these plumbers recommended the best product to keep my dishwasher and pipes working hard.

The 4 Expert Plumbers I Asked

• Roger Wakefield: Founder of Texas Green Plumbing with four decades of experience in the plumbing industry and one of the most followed plumbing influencers on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube
• Jonathan Cheever: A second-generation master plumber, former Olympic snowboarder, and owner of Team Cheever Plumbing and Heating in Park City, Utah 
• Justin Vader: A plumber with over a decade of experience and co-host of the Blue Collar Nerd Podcast, with over 20 thousand followers on his Instagram account @vadertheplumber
• Lindsay Stannard: A Red Seal Journeyman plumber on Vancouver Island, Canada, and Operations Manager at Apex Mechanical Plumbing and Heating LLC based in Calgary, Canada

What Dishwasher Detergent Plumbers Recommend For Your Pipes

It’s unanimous! All four plumbers I spoke to recommend using dishwasher pods over liquid detergent. Pods are pre-measured, which means they're less likely to leave residue behind, and they perform better than liquid detergent.

“I prefer Cascade Platinum Pods. I have used these for years. I love that they are easy to use—just stick one in and shut the door. It is completely pre-measured and makes it easy on me,” reveals Wakefield.

Stannard agrees. “I have a septic system at home, and I use Cascade pods and I’ve never had an issue,” she shares.

Vader, or as his Instagram followers know as “Vader The Plumber,” recommends a different product: The Unscented Company Dish Tabs, which are derived from all-natural ingredients as opposed to harsher chemicals.

“The hot water [from the dishwasher] and the chemicals [from detergent] can not only eat away at drainage pipe…,” he continues, “[but] the hot water dilutes, so the damage is being done slowly over time,” he explains. By using a more natural product, he is ensuring his pipes' efficacy.

More Dishwasher Tips from Plumbers

In addition to favoring dishwasher pods, several of these plumbers recommend this second line of defense: a rinse aid.

According to Cascade, a rinse aid will eliminate any film or mineral buildup on your dishes by making the water dry faster. This is especially helpful if you have hard water, which is when there are high levels of iron and magnesium in your water supply, which can build up in your pipes.

“Some dishwashing soaps have rinse aids built into them. And, some dishwashers have a location to add a [separate] rinse aid to help keep your dishes even cleaner. These help by preventing mineral deposits, therefore protecting pipes and dishwasher parts from hard water damage,” Wakefield explains.

Cheever suggests a more hard-core solution for hard water. “If I am going to push a product, NuvoH2O has a dishwasher descaler that can be hooked up under your kitchen sink. Nuvo descales with citric acid, and it's brainless. One install and you're done.”

Next time you are in the store, make sure to grab dishwasher pods—and if you are dealing with hard water, consider purchasing a rinse aid to go the extra mile!

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