About Dishwashing Detergent

Dishwashers are a household appliance luxury that we have in our kitchens to get rid of our dirty dishes from cooking that great meal. Dishwashing detergent has a come a long way since it first arrived on the household cleaner aisle, and these days we have dozens of types and brands to choose from. Choosing the correct one for you and your dishwasher is the main key to success in having sparkling clean, spot-free dishes.

History

The first dishwasher appeared in 1850. It rinsed plates and cups through a hand-powered device. In the 1920s, a dishwasher that was connected to permanent plumbing was installed in a home, which included more additions like racks and a separate holder for dishwasher detergent. Before this, soap was added with water to churn the dishes through. Now, dishwashing detergent includes numerous ingredients for different purposes, and some can be harmful to the human body and environment.

Function

The function of dishwashing detergent is to help clean your dishes, cups and utensils. While the dishwasher is locked in place, the churning of water combined with the detergent helps clean the dishes with force, hot water and different cleaning agents in the detergent. Once the door is locked and the hot water is going, the compartment holding the detergent opens and disperses the detergent among the dishes. Detergent ingredients are used to help cut grease off of dishes, remove food that is stuck on dishes.

Types

There are different detergents for specific uses. They are all strongly alkaline based. Certain detergents are made just to help make dishes dry faster with no spots for more shine. Others are made to help get rid of grease and grime. Phosphates help rid of and prevent hard water spots. Detergents with enzymes or bleaches assist in breaking up and dissolving proteins in food, helping them wash easily off of the dishes. Surfactants within detergents help emulsify oil and fat particles. A lot of detergents on the market today include all of these ingredients--phosphates, enzymes, bleaches and surfactants. Gelling agents help get rid of stuck-on food particles, and anti-foaming agents assist in washing activity. Cheaper dishwashing detergents may contain sand or starches, which can be corrosive to the dishwasher system. There are also biodegradable and hand-washing detergent.

Effects

The effects of dishwashing detergents vary greatly. For most, the effects are positive if you have the correct detergent for your dishwasher, type of dishes and specific needs. If used correctly, dishwashing detergents will help rinse your dishes clean of debris and food particles. Next, the detergent will help disinfect them, and protect the dish coating, glaze or paint. It will then help the dishes dry without water spots and give them a nice shine.

Considerations

It is easy to find the detergent that is right for your. Figure out what is the biggest problem you have with your dishwasher now (food sticking on? water spots?) and purchase your dishwasher detergent accordingly. Recently there has been an emergence of organic and environmentally friendly detergents that will help decrease the effect the chemicals have on the environment. On the downside, the fact that detergents contain phosphates makes it controversial among environmental activists because it has been said that the same chemicals in the detergents create bacterial growth in waterways and up the phosphate levels in water supplies. Dishwashing detergent has also caused numerous household poisonings in children and pets, so it is best to keep the containers in a safe place out of reach of children.