Comments on: Seventh Generation Dishwasher Powder Update

By: Shari

Shari — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:01:50 +0000

Yikes! I ran out of vinegar and used the diswasher without it with seven generation soap for a week. At first I had white powder on my glasses. Now I have white powder caked on the diswasher itself – the spinning arm, the drain screen, the walls and it is not washing off! Ideas?? I am going to try running an empty load with vinegar but I can not get it off just scrubbing so I have my doubts.

By: Julie F

Julie F — Sat, 24 May 2008 11:32:18 +0000

I know that how many food service operations wash dishes isn’t friendly at all. One huge bin of soapy, another of sanitizer/water, then another of cold. At least 5 gallons in each for Jamba Juice (or the one I worked at in Boulder, at least)

It’s true. So many variables. Like how much soap is in a squirt. Some people do a short 1 second squeeze, some do 3 or more.

If it gets it clean and you’re happy, then go for it

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sat, 24 May 2008 08:20:06 +0000

I think back in the day they didn’t rinse so much, and they likely used less soap. You’d run one sink of hot, low soap water, one small bin of hot water for a first rinse, and one for a second rinse. That’s three bins of h2o plus maybe less energy than a dishwasher, but like I said, people wash differently. I think it’s hard to know which is best. I like the dish washer for time’s sake, but I actually like hand washing dishes because it gives me time to think. It’s a quiet, soothing chore to me. Unlike stupid mopping.

By: Peggy

Peggy — Sat, 24 May 2008 08:15:32 +0000

I’m going to agree with Rebecca on the side of the dishwasher.

Plus, Jennifer, what about rinsing? You have to run water for that.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sat, 24 May 2008 08:11:55 +0000

Lots of reports say that dish washers are more eco friendly than hand washing. However, filling a sink ONCE and washing is likely more eco-friendly. The reason many of the studies say that dish washers are more eco friendly is because people will wash and run – i.e. wash in running water. I think I agree with Julie about hand washing being more eco friendly, but only if you wash correctly. I don’t see how they can do a great study on hand washing vs. dish washers because everyone is different. Like my aunt barely loads her dishwasher. Also, when I hand wash I have to use gloves or my hands get all dry – and gloves aren’t great for the planet. There are tons of variables.

@Rebecca I’ll watch for your review – I like Biokleen a lot, too bad about their dish soap.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Sat, 24 May 2008 03:20:36 +0000

Consumer Reports also says washing dishes in a dishwasher is by far more energy efficient than washing by hand. I want a dishwasher, so I choose to believe this.

Jennifer, I am looking forward to the Biokleen review. I, too, love their laundry detergent. Unfortunately I have to say their dishwashing liquid (for hand-washing dishes) is not good at all. I am reviewing it and some other brands on the Green Baby Guide as soon as I finish trying everything.

By: Julie F

Julie F — Sat, 24 May 2008 02:46:20 +0000

The Borax is rinsed away by the vinegar. That’s one of the reasons people like it as a fabric softener, it removes soap and other residue.

As for a dishwasher being more eco-friendly, I can’t agree. If you still have residue from detergent on your dishes or stuck on food, you have to run the dishwasher again or wash the dishes by hand again.

The newer models may do a better job, but many people still have older, less efficent models in their homes (like me). Wash once, waste less.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sat, 24 May 2008 00:36:09 +0000

Hey all, I’m back because I missed the borax comment. I know many people do use it in their dish washer – if you look around, you’ll find tons of folks that do. However, I would be very careful about this. My dish washer is kind of crappy – it came with the place we’re renting, and it does not rinse completely each and every time.

If you call up Borax, they’ll tell you not to put this in your dish washer – it kills ants dead and is not supposed to ever be ingested. I’ll use it in my toilet, but if you’re using it in your dishes, I’d be darn sure your dish washer rinses totally clear, 100% of the time.

By: Peggy

Peggy — Sat, 24 May 2008 00:01:54 +0000

Hey everyone.

Actually, a scientific study in Germany shows that a dishwasher is actually more eco-friendly than washing by hand! Here’s the link:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/08/dishwasher_vs_h.php

Thanks for the recipe Julie.

Rebecca, I would be concerned about only using hot water (no soap) in the dishwasher, but I’m not a scientist : )

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Fri, 23 May 2008 23:16:47 +0000

I’ve seen some residue with the 7th G powder and liquid now too – although, I still recommend it, because overall it does get my dishes clean (no rinse aid).

Peggy knows this, but for others reading, I’ll note that since my goal is to love not just be fine with my dish wash soap, I recently got another brand to try – BioKleen dish washer powder – because I do LOVE their laundry soap, so soon I’ll do a review. I want to give it a week or so. Cedar uses lots of dishes it’s likely one of out worse eco-sins. For just two people we always seem to have dirty dishes.