Dishwasher detergent
{{Short description|Type of detergent specifically used to wash dishes in a dishwasher}}
File:Detergent tablet.jpg 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.
Uses
When using a dishwasher, the user must select a special detergent for its use.{{cite web|title=Dishwasher detergents Overview|url=http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/dishwasher-detergents.htm|website=Consumer Reports|accessdate=17 March 2017}} All detergents are designed for use after the user scrapes leftover food from the dishes before washing.{{cite web|title=Dishwasher Detergent Buying Guide|url=http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/dishwasher-detergents/buying-guide.htm|website=Consumer Reports|accessdate=17 March 2017|date=January 2017}} 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.
Most dishwasher detergents are incompatible for use with silver, brass, cast iron, bronze, aluminum, pewter, and goldleaf. They can also harm disposable plastic, anything wood, knives with hollow handles, and fine glassware.They can lead to these materials to be bleached or oxidized.
Types
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There are specific examples of chemical reactions we use in our everyday lives. For example, a dishwasher detergent uses sodium hypochlorite (simple bleach) and sodium carbonate (washing soda) in a chemical reaction to clean the dishes. Dishes washed in cold water are less clean than dishes washed in hot water. {{Citation needed|reason=Sounds speculative given that the same isn't true of laundry detergents|date=December 2021}}
Composition
Different kinds of dishwashing detergent contain different combinations of ingredients. Common ingredients include:
- Phosphates: Bind calcium and magnesium ions to prevent 'hard-water' type limescale deposits. They can cause ecological damage, and have been partially banned or phased out.
- Oxygen-based bleaching agents (older-style powders and liquids contain chlorine-based bleaching agents): Break up and bleach organic deposits.
- Non-ionic surfactants: Lower the surface tension of the water, emulsifies oil, lipid and fat food deposits, prevents droplet spotting on drying.
- Alkaline salts: These are a primary component in older and original-style dishwasher detergent powders{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}}. Highly alkaline salts attack and dissolve grease, but are extremely corrosive (fatal) if swallowed. Salts used may include metasilicates, alkali metal hydroxides, sodium carbonate etc.{{cite web|url=http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4259199.html |title=Alkaline dishwasher detergent – The Procter & Gamble Company |publisher=Freepatentsonline.com |date= |accessdate=2012-03-02}}
- Enzymes: Break up protein-based food deposits, and possibly oil, lipid and fat deposits.{{cite web |last1=Baguley |first1=Richard |title= Appliance Science: How dishwasher detergents digest food stains |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/appliance-science-how-dishwasher-detergents-digest-food-stains |website=CNET |language=en}} The enzymes used are similar to the ones used in laundry.{{cite web |date=26 January 2024 |title=Dishwasher detergent for hard water |url=https://thedishwashertips.com/best-dishwasher-detergent-for-hard-water/ |website=The dishwasher tips |publisher=}}
- Anti-corrosion agent(s): Often sodium silicate, this prevents corrosion of dishwasher components.{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}}
Dishwashing detergent may also contain:{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}}
- Anti-foaming agents:{{cn|date=April 2020}} Foam interferes with the washing action. Foam may affect operation of the machine's water-level sensors and will leak past the door seals.
- Additives to slow down the removal of glaze & patterns from glazed ceramics
- Perfumes
- Anti-caking agents (in granular detergent)
- Starches (in tablet based detergents)
- Gelling agents (in liquid/gel based detergents)
Dishwasher detergents are generally strongly alkaline (basic).{{cite web |title=Curiosities: What's the difference between dishwasher detergent, laundry detergent and dish soap? Why aren't they interchangeable? |url=https://news.wisc.edu/curiosities-whats-the-difference-between-dishwasher-detergent-laundry-detergent-and-dish-soap-why-arent-they-interchangeable/ |website=news.wisc.edu}}
Inexpensive powders may contain sand{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}. Such detergents may harm the dishes and the dishwasher. Powdered detergents are more likely to cause fading on china patterns.{{cite web |url=http://www.hotpointservice.co.uk/hs/pages/content.do?keys=FAQ:PRODUCT_INFO_DISHWASHING |title=Hotpoint Service – Appliance Repairs, Spare Parts and Accessories for Hotpoint, Creda, Ariston |publisher=Hotpointservice.co.uk |accessdate=2012-06-20 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320064306/http://www.hotpointservice.co.uk/hs/pages/content.do?keys=FAQ%3APRODUCT_INFO_DISHWASHING |archivedate=2012-03-20 }}
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.{{cite web|last1=Technology Connections|date=20 December 2020|title=Detergent packs are kinda wishy-washy (Dishwashers Explained)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rBO8neWw04|access-date=23 December 2020|website=YouTube |author1-link=Technology Connections }}
=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|date=March 2016}}
Rinse aid prevents "spotting" on glassware (caused by droplets of water drying and leaving behind dissolved limescale minerals), and improves drying performance as there is less water remaining to be dried, and a thinner sheet of water has a much larger surface area than a droplet of the same volume.