My pro tip - whatever your system, use sodium tripolyphosphate. Years ago phosphates were in laundry and dish detergents, and were outlawed to deal with algae b

My pro tip - whatever your system, use sodium tripolyphosphate. Years ago phosphates were in laundry and dish detergents, and were outlawed to deal with algae blooms from runoff. Individuals can use them now but companies can’t include them. Iirc the main source of phosphate runoff is farming and consumer usage was comparatively small, but telling farmers to stop fertilizing wasn’t tenable. So about ten years ago then industry quietly removed phosphates and the appliance manufacturers had a golden era of appliance purchases as everyone thought their machines weren't working right anymore. I was one of the buyers who contributed. In frustration that my new dishwasher didn’t work either I did some reading and learned the above. I now add a tablespoon or two to my dishes and laundry. I don’t pre-wash my dishes, no matter how hard and dry. You don’t need to. It works great, everything comes out super clean. You can buy it online.