Ever open your dishwasher expecting clean plates only to find crusty food still stuck to everything? What a bummer! I’ve been there too many times. After spending countless hours rewashing dishes by hand (which defeats the whole purpose of having a dishwasher), I decided to test different brands to find out which ones actually work and which ones you should avoid completely. The results might surprise you – especially when it comes to the worst offender that many of us still buy without thinking twice.
Sun detergent lands at the absolute bottom
If your dishes still look dirty after a full wash cycle, you might be using Sun detergent. This brand consistently ranks as the worst performer in multiple tests. When I tried it myself, I noticed it struggled with almost everything – from dried tomato sauce to coffee stains. The biggest problem? It’s like washing your dishes with plain water. Tests show that Sun detergent fails to remove common kitchen stains like chocolate, grass, coffee, and ketchup – the very things we need a detergent to handle.
What makes this even more frustrating is that you end up using more water and electricity when you have to run your dishwasher twice or rewash things by hand. Despite its lower price tag, using Sun detergent actually costs you more in the long run. Many users report that switching from Sun to almost any other brand resulted in an immediate improvement. In a ranking of the worst detergent brands, Sun consistently appears at the top of the “avoid” list, making it clear that saving a few cents on this product is never worth the hassle.
Arm & Hammer falls short, especially the pods
Coming in as the second worst option is Arm & Hammer, which might be surprising since their baking soda products work so well in other cleaning applications. The biggest issues show up with their detergent pods, which often fail to fully dissolve during the wash cycle. This means you’re left with partially cleaned dishes and sometimes even sticky residue on your glasses and silverware. The pods particularly struggle with removing chocolate and coffee stains, which are some of the most common things we need to clean.
The liquid version of Arm & Hammer detergent doesn’t fare much better. In tests comparing stain removal abilities, it consistently falls behind most other mainstream brands. Many users switch after becoming frustrated with spotty results. According to consumer reports, Arm & Hammer ranks as the second worst detergent overall, with particularly poor performance on tougher stains. While the brand may be trusted for other household products, their dishwasher detergent simply doesn’t deliver the cleaning power needed for everyday messes.
Era struggles with even basic stains
The third-worst performer in our lineup is Era detergent. While not as widely available as some other brands, if you do spot this on your store shelf, it’s best to keep walking. The main problem with Era is that it struggles to remove even basic food stains from your dishes. In multiple tests, Era failed to properly clean everyday messes like pasta sauce, dried egg, and peanut butter – stuff that any decent detergent should handle with no problem.
What’s particularly disappointing about Era is its complete inability to handle tougher stains like coffee rings in mugs or greasy residue on pans. If you have kids or frequently cook meals with sauces, this detergent will leave you frustrated. According to independent testing, Era ranks as the third worst detergent brand, with especially poor results on blood and grass stains. While we’re not usually washing blood off our dishes (hopefully!), this speaks to the product’s overall poor cleaning ability.
Bright and Fresh has mixed results at best
Moving up slightly in our rankings is Bright and Fresh detergent powder. This brand gets very mixed reviews from users, which is never a good sign for a product you rely on daily. While some people report decent cleaning in soft water areas, the performance drops significantly if you have hard water – which many American households do. The powder sometimes fails to dissolve completely, leaving a gritty residue on dishes that’s both unpleasant and potentially harmful if ingested.
Another major issue with Bright and Fresh is the strong chlorine-like smell that lingers after washing. Multiple reviewers mention that the odor can fill your entire kitchen and nearby rooms during the wash cycle. If you’re sensitive to strong smells or have respiratory issues, this could be a real problem. The price is also higher than many better-performing alternatives, especially when bought in the pail packaging rather than bags. When considering both performance and value, Bright and Fresh simply doesn’t measure up to the better options available.
Saba organic looks good but cleans poorly
For those looking for an eco-friendly option, Saba Organic dishwashing detergent might seem appealing at first glance. The attractive packaging and natural ingredients sound great in theory, but in practice, this product falls disappointingly short. Despite being one of the most expensive options on the market, Saba Organic was among the lowest-scoring detergents in performance tests. The main issue is simple: it just doesn’t clean dishes very well, especially when facing tougher food stains.
The high price would be easier to justify if the cleaning power matched, but unfortunately, that’s not the case. According to CHOICE testing, expensive organic options like Saba performed poorly while costing significantly more than better-performing budget brands. It’s worth noting that being organic doesn’t automatically make a product less effective – there are other eco-friendly options that clean much better. If you’re concerned about both the environment and having clean dishes, there are better choices available that won’t leave you rewashing everything by hand.
Liquid detergents generally underperform pods
While not a specific brand issue, it’s worth noting that liquid dishwasher detergents as a category tend to underperform compared to pods and powders. In fact, during extensive testing by the Food Network, none of the liquid detergents made it past the first round of testing. The main problem was significant residue left behind on dishes – exactly what you’re trying to avoid by using a dishwasher. If you’ve been loyal to liquid detergent and wondering why your dishes never seem fully clean, this could be why.
The issue seems to be that liquid detergents often can’t deliver the concentrated cleaning power needed for tough jobs. According to expert testing, they’re particularly bad at handling unrinsed dishes with dried-on food – the real-world situation in most households. If you have hard water, the problem gets even worse, as liquid detergents struggle to combat mineral buildup. For most households, switching from a liquid to a pod or powder formulation of even the same brand could result in noticeably cleaner dishes without any other changes to your routine.
Cascade complete powder shows solid performance
Now that we’ve covered the worst offenders, let’s look at what actually works well. Cascade Complete Powder consistently ranks as the best powder detergent on the market, offering excellent cleaning power at an affordable price. Unlike the worst brands we discussed, Cascade Complete effectively removes most food residues without requiring pre-rinsing. The powder formula also helps it dissolve completely, avoiding the gritty residue problems that plague some other powder brands.
One of the biggest advantages of Cascade Complete Powder is its value. While not the absolute cheapest option, it strikes an excellent balance between performance and price. According to Wirecutter, it offers good cleaning at an affordable price, though you may need to use more for heavily soiled loads. Many users find that they can use less of this detergent than cheaper brands while still getting better results, making it economical in the long run. The relatively neutral scent is also appreciated by those who are sensitive to strong fragrances.
Cascade free & clear actionpacs take the top spot
For the absolute best cleaning performance, Cascade Free & Clear ActionPacs earn the top spot in our rankings. These pods combine the convenience of pre-measured doses with outstanding cleaning power that handles everything from dried egg to lasagna. The “free & clear” formula is particularly noteworthy because it accomplishes this excellent cleaning without harsh dyes or overpowering scents, making it suitable for households with fragrance sensitivities or allergies.
What sets these pods apart is their liquid boosters that target tough stains while the main detergent handles general cleaning. In extensive testing, they consistently outperformed other brands and types, including the regular Cascade Platinum pods which have a stronger scent. The pods dissolve completely even in short cycles, avoiding the dissolution problems that plague some other pod brands. While they’re more expensive than powder detergents, the convenience and reliable results make them worth the extra cost for many households. You’ll likely spend less time and water rewashing dishes, which saves money in the long run.
The bottom line? Not all dish detergents are created equal. Spending a little more on a quality brand like Cascade can save you countless hours of frustration and rewashing. Skip the Sun, Arm & Hammer, and Era detergents completely – your dishes (and your time) deserve better. And remember – sometimes the most expensive “premium” or “organic” options aren’t any better than mid-range products from reliable brands. Your best bet is to stick with proven performers that give you consistently clean dishes the first time.
