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Dishwasher: what will wash the dishes?
As the car will not work without gasoline and oil, so the dishwasher is practically useless without detergents, regeneration salt and rinse aid. To remove really clean and shiny dishes from the dishwasher, you need to use effective detergents, which are not so few on the modern market. Let's try to figure out what you can do today in the dishwasher.
Do you need powder or tablets?
Remember, in no case can you use ordinary soap and powder for washing dishes in the dishwasher.
Produce two types of detergents for dishwashers: powdered and tablets. When choosing a dishwasher, you should definitely check with the sellers what types of detergents can be loaded into your favorite appliance.
Powder - the most popular and affordable detergent. On average, about 25–30 g of powder is consumed per wash cycle, respectively, to acquire a kilogram of this detergent, which is enough for 35–40 cycles, you will need 180–450 rubles.
Thus, the cost of one wash cycle with the use of powder is 4-8 rubles. As a rule, a measuring spoon is supplied with the package in order to determine the right amount of powder, or the volume of the container lid is indicated on the package, which in this case can be used as a measuring container.
Tablets are slightly more convenient to use than powder, because they can not accidentally wake up when used. It should be borne in mind that, as a rule, detergent tablets in terms of one wash cycle turns out to be slightly more expensive than detergent powder. Tablets are single-layer (standard detergent), multi-layered and multi-layer combined (such as "3 in 1"), with different rates of dissolution of the layers.
It should be borne in mind that detergents in the form of tablets for short programs sometimes do not have time to dissolve. For this reason, manufacturers of dishwashers recommend using programs of normal duration when using detergent tablets. The dosage depends on the volume of the dishwasher and, as a rule, is indicated in the technical characteristics of the unit.
The usual consumption of detergent tablets is one tablet per cycle; in the case of very hard water, the initial dosage should be increased by one tablet. On average, a pack of 25 tablets costs about 180–250 rubles, out of 60 pieces — over 400 rubles. Usually in a standard dishwasher for 12 sets of dishes lay 1 tablet. Thus, the cost of one wash cycle with the use of tablets is 6–8 rubles (in this case we are talking about standard detergents, and not 3-in-1 tablets).
Tablets are combined.
By using multi-layer combined detergents in the form of tablets, you simultaneously load both detergent components and water softening components and replacing regenerating salt into the machine, and rinse aid. Dishwasher models that allow the use of combined tools are now increasingly common. To be sure of this opportunity, you need to check with the instructions.
Nevertheless, one should not forget that for a short program this remedy is not suitable for the same reason: the dissolution of the combination tablet takes too long. It is also not recommended to use combined detergents in regions with very hard or, on the contrary, very soft water.
Nevertheless, dishwashers with a special program that is most adapted to the use of tableted detergents of the combined type began to appear on the market of modern household appliances. Most manufacturers (for example, Miele, Electrolux, AEG, Bosch, Siemens, Gorenje, Asko) provide a special “three in one” function in dishwashers that adjusts any available washing program to use a combination detergent.
About alkalis and enzymes
According to the degree of impact on dishes, detergents can be divided into two groups. The first will include highly alkaline detergents, which contain caustic alkaline components, such as sodium carbonates, silicates, phosphates, chemical bleaches based on oxygen or chlorine. The purpose of these components is saponification and destruction of fat and protein contaminants.
In the second - weakly alkaline detergents. The composition of weakly alkaline agents, as a rule, includes enzymes. The indication of the presence of enzymes in the detergent composition means that this detergent is optimally suitable for washing dishes at a water temperature of about 45-50 degrees, because it is in this mode that ideal conditions are created for the manifestation of the properties of enzymes.
Enzymes are biological enzyme supplements that break down proteins, fats and polysaccharides that make up pollution. Detergents typically include the following types of enzymes: proteases (alkaline), which help remove protein-related contaminants, and amylases, which are effective in removing starch contaminants, such as mashed potatoes, pasta, cereals, custard, sauces and chocolate The use of amylases in combination with proteases mutually enhances the action of both substances.
Lipases facilitate the removal of contaminants based on fats and oils left behind by fatty foods. But it is insoluble proteins, fats and oils that are firmly “eaten up” in the dishes, especially if several hours have passed after using it. In this case, the use of enzyme detergents significantly increases the efficiency of washing.
In the composition of any detergents, except for the already mentioned components, low-foaming surfactants are necessarily present.
More on chemical composition
If you begin to carefully study the packaging of detergent, you will notice that there are three types of products:
1) Containing alkaline components and chlorine-based oxidizing component.
2) Containing alkaline components and an oxygen-based oxidizing component.
3) Containing alkaline components and enzymes, but without oxidizing components.
Detergents containing an chlorine-based oxidizing component perfectly wash off contaminants of any type, but, being rather caustic, are not recommended for washing fragile, thin and metallic (aluminum, silver) dishes.
Detergents containing alkaline components and an oxygen-based oxidizing component have a milder whitening effect, so they are suitable for most types of dishes, except for those that will be discussed later.
Detergents containing alkaline components and enzymes, without oxidizing components, have a good washing effect at low temperatures and a sparing effect on dishes.
One hundred times check one mound
When choosing a detergent, do not forget to clarify which dishes are suitable for washing. If there are no special marks, you should not risk and wash using fragile crystal and especially silver using this detergent. For machine washing of silverware, a detergent should be found, on the packaging of which a possibility is specified.
In principle, it is possible to wash some types of dishes in a dishwasher, but only sparingly and with utmost care. This means that you should choose a delicate program with the lowest temperature and duration of washing, and after the end of the cycle as soon as possible remove the dishes from the machine. In this case, the dose of detergent used is recommended to be reduced by about 1.5 times. Thus, for example, it is necessary to wash cups and plates with pictures and glazes - separately, using the program for fragile dishes. Dishes requiring extremely careful handling also include:
• earthenware;
• dishes with overglaze painting , (which, if it does not disappear, may lose color and turn pale);
• aluminum objects (aluminum is dissolved by the action of alkalis and oxidizing agents);
• glassware , on the packaging of which there is no symbol indicating the possibility of washing in the dishwasher: at a temperature of 35-40 degrees, such glass will not crack, but it may become cloudy.
Just in case, we remind you that the following types of dishes are absolutely not intended for washing in the dishwasher, no matter what detergent is used in this case:
• old dishes, the coating of which is not heat-resistant;
• glued dishes;
• cutlery with wooden, horn, porcelain or mother-of-pearl handles;
• items from ordinary (rusting) steel;
• non-heat-resistant plastic items;
• wood products (for example, cutting boards);
• tin or copper items;
• products of decorative and applied arts - for example, Gzhel and Khokhloma;
• very small objects that may fall out of the trays during washing and fall on moving parts of the machine.
What to choose
The range of products for dishwashers in Russian stores, in contrast to the means for manual washing, is not diverse enough. The brands on sale can be counted on the fingers, and these are mainly products of European origin: Calgonit, Kristall-fix, Somat, Frosch, Dalli, WKultra, Fairy.
Do not forget to rinse too ...
In order to completely remove the remnants of detergent from dishes and make it shine, most manufacturers recommend adding a special liquid rinser to the machine. Usually it contains non-ionic surfactants to ensure effective wetting of the surface with water, which leads to accelerated runoff of water, rapid drying and no drips and stains on the surface, and acids (eg citric) to remove and neutralize the alkaline components of the detergent itself. .
The average price for a 500 ml bottle in Moscow's household appliance stores is 80-120 rubles. The most popular brands of rinses are the same as powders: Calgonit, Kristall-fix, Klarspuller.
On average, a 0.5–0.7 liter rinse bottle lasts for 10–12 cycles of a full dishwashing dishwasher (consumption per cycle is 0.003–0.005 l). The rinse contributes to a more efficient drying and transparency of glassware; without rinse dishes, especially glass, as a rule, tarnish.
The rinses are not harmful to health and are completely washed off during the rinse cycle. However, if there are severe allergies in the family, it is recommended to start the dishwasher again after the washing, choosing a rinsing cycle (this program is usually provided in models of the middle and highest price category).
And salt ...
To obtain good results when washing dishes, you must use soft water, ie, containing a small amount of lime. Otherwise, a white lime precipitate appears on the dishes and the inner surface of the dishwasher. Get information about the level of water hardness in your area at a waterworks. Some manufacturers of dishwashers (eg Brandt) attach a tester to determine the level of water hardness included with the appliance.
There are 5 levels of water hardness (0-6 dH, 7-11 dH, 12-16 dH, 17-21 dH, 22-35 dH, respectively), and for four of them (from the 2nd to the 5th) water requires mitigation to ensure the normal operation of the dishwasher.
In Moscow, tap water has a fairly high level of hardness, therefore, before the wash cycle, the regenerating salt must be loaded into the machine. In most dishwashers, the capacity for regenerating salt is quite large, and you can immediately load up to 1-2 kilograms of equipment there, and when it comes to an end, the “add salt” indicator lights up on the control panel. The average cost of a standard package of regenerating salt (2 kg) is 130–200 rubles. For health, the regenerating salt is not harmful.
To the quality of washing did not cause even the slightest disappointment, it is recommended that before putting the dishes in the car, wash off the remnants of food with a strong jet of water. Most likely, even if you do not do this, at the end of the washing cycle, the dishes will shine clean, no matter what, but if the dishes are heavily soiled (this mainly applies to pots and pans), some traces may still remain.
Of course, the pan can be put in the machine for another cycle, and then for one more (experts believe that in three cycles of operation, the dishwasher can steam any stain except for traces of lipstick), but why waste electricity if you can do a little - just substitute dirty dishes under a stream of water or soak it for a while in the sink.
When choosing which detergents to use - standard or combined, keep in mind that in the first case you can adjust the flow of funds depending on the specific conditions of washing, and in the second you constantly spend some “average” dose of detergent and you cannot save.
And even this is not all!
There are some accessories for dishwashers. These include, firstly, a degreaser - a means to remove grease from the internal parts of the dishwasher (sold in the form of a gel or granular powder); secondly, deodorant, which eliminates unwanted odors in the dishwasher, giving a fresh floral or citrus scent to freshly washed dishes; and, thirdly, antiscale, which guarantees optimal operation of your dishwasher and reduces energy consumption.
The degreaser is usually poured (powder) or poured (gel) into the same compartment where the detergent powder is usually put. It is recommended to use a degreaser every 15–20 dishwasher cycles. Detailed instructions for using a degreaser and deodorant are always on the package.
Use anti-scaler as follows: pour all the powder directly into the box and turn on the program with a temperature of about 40-45 ° C, without rinsing. Cleaning is recommended to repeat 2-4 times a year, depending on the hardness of the water in your area. The best result is achieved in the case of the use of antiscale after a degreaser.
Dishwasher Safe - Safe for Health
According to experts, detergents and other types of dishwashers do not represent any harm to human health - at least no more than any other household chemicals. Moreover, the composition of detergents for the dishwasher includes less organic matter, but more mineral components, which makes them safer for humans.
Highly alkaline detergents do contain more caustic substances than those that are part of ordinary detergents, but when used in a dishwasher, contact with hands is excluded, and therefore there is no danger to skin and health. So, dear housewives, wash the dishes in the dishwasher and worry only about how to prepare dinner for her husband and children in time. And the car will do all the dirty work for you.
Thank you for the advice of experts from the Vyacheslav Filippenkov and Alexey Rodyunin Research Center of Household Chemicals (laboratory of personal care products and household chemicals).
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