Dishwasher detergent

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A Finish dishwashing detergent tablet Detergent tablet.jpg
A Finish dishwashing detergent tablet

Dishwasher detergent is a detergent made for washing dishes in a dishwasher. Dishwasher detergent is different from dishwashing liquid made to wash dishes by hand.

Contents

Uses

When using a dishwasher, the user must select a special detergent for its use. [1] All detergents are designed for use after the user scrapes leftover food from the dishes before washing. [2] To function, the user places dishes in the dishwasher in such fashion that the surface of all dishes is open to the flow of water. [2]

Most dishwasher detergents are incompatible for use with silver, brass, cast iron, bronze, aluminum, pewter, and goldleaf. [2] They can also harm disposable plastic, anything wood, knives with hollow handles, and fine glassware. [2]

Types

There are specific examples of chemical reactions we use in our everyday lives. For example, a dishwasher detergent uses sodium hypochlorite and sodium carbonate (simple bleach) in a chemical reaction to clean the dishes. Dishes washed in cold water are less clean than dishes washed in hot water. [ citation needed ]

Composition

Different kinds of dishwashing detergent contain different combinations of ingredients. Common ingredients include:

Dishwashing detergent may also contain:[ citation needed ]

Dishwasher detergents are generally strongly alkaline (basic). [6]

Inexpensive powders may contain sand[ citation needed ]. Such detergents may harm the dishes and the dishwasher. Powdered detergents are more likely to cause fading on china patterns. [7]

Besides older style detergents for dishwashers, biodegradable detergents also exist for dishwashers. These detergents may be more environmentally friendly than conventional detergents.

Hand-washing dish detergent (washing up liquid) creates a large foam of bubbles which will leak from the dishwasher. [8]

Rinse aid

Rinse aid (sometimes called rinse agent) contains surfactants and uses Marangoni stress to prevent droplet formation, so that water drains from the surfaces in thin sheets, rather than forming droplets.[ citation needed ]

Rinse aid prevents "spotting" on glassware (caused by droplets of water drying and leaving behind dissolved limescale minerals), and can also improve drying performance as there is less water remaining to be dried. A thinner sheet of water also has a much larger surface area than a droplet of the same volume, which increases the likelihood of water molecules evaporating.[ citation needed ]

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Detergent</span> Surfactants with cleansing properties

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trisodium phosphate</span> Chemical compound

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dishwashing</span> Process of cleaning cooking utensils and other items to prevent foodborne illness

Dishwashing, washing the dishes, doing the dishes, or washing up in Great Britain, is the process of cleaning cooking utensils, dishes, cutlery and other items to prevent foodborne illness. This is either achieved by hand in a sink using dishwashing detergent or by using a dishwasher and may take place in a kitchen, utility room, scullery or elsewhere.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Persil</span> German brand of laundry detergent

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fairy (brand)</span> Brand of dishwashing liquid

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dishwashing liquid</span> Detergent used for cleaning dishes

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Dishwasher salt is a particular grade of granulated, crystalline sodium chloride intended for regenerating the water softener circuit of household or industrial dishwashers. Analogous to water softener salt, dishwasher salt regenerates ion exchange resins, expelling the therein trapped calcium and magnesium ions that characterize hard water. Dishwater salt granules are larger than those of table salt. The granule size ensures that the salt dissolves slowly, and that fine particles do not block the softener unit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cleaning agent</span> Substance used to remove dirt or other contaminants

Cleaning agents or hard-surface cleaners are substances used to remove dirt, including dust, stains, foul odors, and clutter on surfaces. Purposes of cleaning agents include health, beauty, removing offensive odor, and avoiding the spread of dirt and contaminants to oneself and others. Some cleaning agents can kill bacteria and clean at the same time. Others, called degreasers, contain organic solvents to help dissolve oils and fats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Defoamer</span> Chemical additive that reduces and hinders the formation of foam in liquids

A defoamer or an anti-foaming agent is a chemical additive that reduces and hinders the formation of foam in industrial process liquids. The terms anti-foam agent and defoamer are often used interchangeably. Strictly speaking, defoamers eliminate existing foam and anti-foamers prevent the formation of further foam. Commonly used agents are insoluble oils, polydimethylsiloxanes and other silicones, certain alcohols, stearates and glycols. The additive is used to prevent formation of foam or is added to break a foam already formed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bleach activator</span>

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Phosphates in detergent refers to the use of phosphates as an ingredient in a detergent product. The advantage of using phosphates in a consumer laundry detergent or dishwashing detergent is that they make detergents more efficient by chelating calcium and magnesium ions. The disadvantage of using phosphates is that they remain in wastewater and eventually make their way to a natural body of water. While phosphates are low toxicity, they instead cause nutrient pollution and feed the algae. This leads to eutrophication and harmful algal bloom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tetrasodium iminodisuccinate</span> Chemical compound

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fabric treatment</span>

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References

  1. "Dishwasher detergents Overview". Consumer Reports . Retrieved 17 March 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Dishwasher Detergent Buying Guide". Consumer Reports . January 2017. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
  3. "Alkaline dishwasher detergent – The Procter & Gamble Company". Freepatentsonline.com. Retrieved 2012-03-02.
  4. Baguley, Richard. "Appliance Science: How dishwasher detergents digest food stains". CNET.
  5. "Dishwasher detergent for hard water". The dishwasher tips. 26 January 2024.
  6. "Curiosities: What's the difference between dishwasher detergent, laundry detergent and dish soap? Why aren't they interchangeable?". news.wisc.edu.
  7. "Hotpoint Service – Appliance Repairs, Spare Parts and Accessories for Hotpoint, Creda, Ariston". Hotpointservice.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2012-03-20. Retrieved 2012-06-20.
  8. Technology Connections (20 December 2020). "Detergent packs are kinda wishy-washy (Dishwashers Explained)". YouTube. Retrieved 23 December 2020.