4 ms·

Why Dishwasher Rinse Aid Makes Dishes Cleaner and Drier

23 points by Arubis 5y ago

dsizzle 5y ago
> As much as we might like to believe the claim, rinse aid isn’t just a money grab for detergent companies. I was once one of the people that dismissed the need for rinse aid, but I've become a convert! It's especially noticeable on glasses -- you can immediately see the difference -- but everything gets cleaner.
- ddingus 5y ago
  It is remarkable. We ran out for a time during the peak of Covid supply issues. Just could not get the stuff for a while. We noticed and today add it as directed without question.
technobabbler 5y ago
Why don't they just put this stuff into detergent?
- Cerium 5y ago
  You need it after you have removed all the detergent.
- sjg007 5y ago
  There are pods attempt to do that but are largely unsuccessful.
  - ddingus 5y ago
    It's a process step thing. Personally, I have not used a pod that performs when compared to cheap ass, no name, liquid detergent and rinse aid. All anyone needs is competently made supplies. Cheap does not mean bad in this case, in my experience.
- wodenokoto 5y ago
  The do. If you ever see a a dishwasher detergent capsule with a sphere in it, then it contains rinse aid [1]. The logo on my dishwashing machine for running with detergent tablets containing rinse aid is even a rectangle with a circle inside. [1] Like this one https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1rFuxXyLxK1Rjy0Ffq6zYdVXag/20-30Pcs-Dishwasher-Detergent-Concentrated-Rinse-Block-Powerball-Dish-Tabs-Cleaning-Dishwashing-Tablets-For-Drop-Shippi.jpg https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1rFuxXyLxK1Rjy0Ffq6zYdVXag/20-...
martin-adams 5y ago
I’ve been thinking for a while that all dishwashers seems to use the same method of refilling rinse aid, but the mechanism is so unintuitive and unlike any other appliance you refill. Anyone know why they are designed like this?
- wodenokoto 5y ago
  Every dishwasher I've used in Europe, works like this one in India [1]. Not particularly odd in any way. Fill to the brim and close. This one [2] that seems to be American, does look odd to me. [1] https://youtu.be/zqP0lMo4CEw?t=138 https://youtu.be/zqP0lMo4CEw?t=138 [2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vf_0c1amB58 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vf_0c1amB58
_xerces_ 5y ago
Putting soap in the pre-rinse container makes a big difference too, but hardly anyone does it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rBO8neWw04 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rBO8neWw04
- ddingus 5y ago
  Great video! I always did add some in the pre-rinse container. That video solved a long running family debate on the merits of that.

23 points by Arubis 5y ago

> As much as we might like to believe the claim, rinse aid isn’t just a money grab for detergent companies. I was once one of the people that dismissed the need for rinse aid, but I've become a convert! It's especially noticeable on glasses -- you can immediately see the difference -- but everything gets cleaner.

ddingus 5y ago
It is remarkable. We ran out for a time during the peak of Covid supply issues. Just could not get the stuff for a while. We noticed and today add it as directed without question.

technobabbler 5y ago

Why don't they just put this stuff into detergent?

Cerium 5y ago
You need it after you have removed all the detergent.
sjg007 5y ago
There are pods attempt to do that but are largely unsuccessful.
- ddingus 5y ago
  It's a process step thing. Personally, I have not used a pod that performs when compared to cheap ass, no name, liquid detergent and rinse aid. All anyone needs is competently made supplies. Cheap does not mean bad in this case, in my experience.
wodenokoto 5y ago
The do. If you ever see a a dishwasher detergent capsule with a sphere in it, then it contains rinse aid [1]. The logo on my dishwashing machine for running with detergent tablets containing rinse aid is even a rectangle with a circle inside. [1] Like this one https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1rFuxXyLxK1Rjy0Ffq6zYdVXag/20-30Pcs-Dishwasher-Detergent-Concentrated-Rinse-Block-Powerball-Dish-Tabs-Cleaning-Dishwashing-Tablets-For-Drop-Shippi.jpg https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1rFuxXyLxK1Rjy0Ffq6zYdVXag/20-...

martin-adams 5y ago

I’ve been thinking for a while that all dishwashers seems to use the same method of refilling rinse aid, but the mechanism is so unintuitive and unlike any other appliance you refill. Anyone know why they are designed like this?

wodenokoto 5y ago
Every dishwasher I've used in Europe, works like this one in India [1]. Not particularly odd in any way. Fill to the brim and close. This one [2] that seems to be American, does look odd to me. [1] https://youtu.be/zqP0lMo4CEw?t=138 https://youtu.be/zqP0lMo4CEw?t=138 [2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vf_0c1amB58 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vf_0c1amB58

_xerces_ 5y ago

Putting soap in the pre-rinse container makes a big difference too, but hardly anyone does it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rBO8neWw04 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rBO8neWw04

ddingus 5y ago
Great video! I always did add some in the pre-rinse container. That video solved a long running family debate on the merits of that.