My February 2012 post, “The Clean Dishes Challenge: Battle of the Dishwasher Detergents” has been the most-visited page on my entire site for close to two years now. This tells me I’m not the only one who was looking for a better dishwasher detergent!
Of the detergents I tested, Professional Line Cascade was my favorite, and I’ve happily used it since I wrote that post. (Even though I’m a devoted couponer, this product is far superior to anything I can buy with coupons at the supermarket, and it’s been one of my “splurges” for my kitchen.)
However, Procter & Gamble has discontinued making this fantastic product in favor of a phosphate-free formulation, and my readers have reported that you shouldn’t be fooled by the new product: The new boss is not the same as the old boss. It lacks the cleaning power of the phosphate formula.
What to do? Some readers have asked me to hunt for a replacement, and I intend to when my stash of Professional Cascade runs out… but it will be a while. I ordered three cases back in October, which will likely last me several years. (If you want to stock up before it’s gone, Restockit.com is selling what stock they have left.)
Today I went to Dollar Tree to get some Valentine’s Day cards, and I spotted this on the shelf:
26-ounce Sun dishwasher detergent. While it doesn’t say it contains phosphates, it also does not state “Does Not Contain Phosphates. The product’s date is 2010 — when phosphate dishwasher detergent was still being manufactured for home use. For the reasonable price of $1.00, I picked up one box to bring home and try out.
Once I got it home, I opened it up and did some informal tests for phosphate. Does it glow under a black light?
Then i put some in water and felt it — it’s slippery between my fingers, just as phosphate detergents are. (Phosphate is a base, and bases feel slippery!)
I tried looking up the product’s MSDS sheet on Sun’s website, but there is no product info found for the UPC on this box. That leads me to believe that this product isn’t being made any more — even though the Crystal Lake Dollar Tree had a plethora of it on the shelves.
So, I’m not 100% sure, but signs are good that it may contain phosphate. I’m going to try it out and see how it works. And for $1.00, I thought I’d post about it for you in case you’d like to try it with me…
Calibabydolly says
I have seen that at Dollar Tree but never looked closely at it. Who knew!? I love DT!
I did find some Value brand from Kroger that still contains “up to 2% phosphate” and have been mixing that with the last of my Prof. Cascade that I bought at GFS. The box is bigger than the Sun brand and I found it again a few weeks ago on sale and used a Kroger store coupon on it. Yesterday they were setting up shelves of closeouts and low and behold there was my dish soap! 99 cents a box too. I bought 2 more and am stocked on some semi-good stuff for the meantime!
hayess106 says
You own a black light? Hehehe I love it!!!
Pollysmom says
Good luck with the Finish Power Up Booster for our dishwasher. It’s hard to find in stores so I just ordered 4 bottles from Amazon and it works wonders…no film, no residue, glasses and plates come out spotless. I tried another dishwasher booster (from Dishwasher Magic, I think??) and it was horrible. It was a liquid that you put into the Jet Dry compartment, it left a streaky film on everything. The Finish one is a powder that you put in the second spot where the detergent goes.
Coupons2000 says
For virtually spotless dishwashing. Phosphorus Content: This formula averages 5.5% phosphorus, in the form of phosphates, which is equivalent to 0.7 grams per tablespoon. Safe for septic systems. This finished product is not tested on animals. Made in U.S.A.
Ingredients
Contains Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Silicate and Enzymes.
(Keep in mind, most companies only list “toxic” ingredients, and Phosphates aren’t toxic if ingested)
Looks, like I found the answer. ;)
lulusaves says
Thank you,thank you,thank for turning me on to this product. Tried it for the first time last night (for $1 how could you go wrong?)& it worked great. I quickly went back to Dollar Tree to get 3 more. Happy days LOL
Susiem68 says
Well went today and got a 2012 box. Went home and got the MDSS off the net. No phosphates listed…ooooh poodles!
parsh5 says
Are we sure the 2012 dated boxes do not contain phosphates? I picked a couple of those up too.
Susiem68 says
I am in the process of ordering a different professional brand with phosphates. When I get it I will let you know my thoughts. With my discount it is $39 for 6.5 pounds shipping included.
Coupons2000 says
Is some boxes, of Sunlight Tabs, still contain Phosphates :)
https://i.imgur.com/FKCbweN.jpg
dmjja1700 says
Cascade Fryer Boil Out is the new name for Cascade Professional Line Dishwasher Detergent. The ingredients are exactly the same.
lcp1201 says
Wasn’t there a post way back about adding tsp from the hardware store to dishwasher and laundry?