Why Dishwasher Rinse Aid Makes Dishes Cleaner and Drier | Hacker News Reader

Why Dishwasher Rinse Aid Makes Dishes Cleaner and Drier

nytimes.com

23 pointsArubis11 comments

> As much as we might like to believe the claim, rinse aid isn’t just a money grab for detergent companies.

I was once one of the people that dismissed the need for rinse aid, but I've become a convert! It's especially noticeable on glasses -- you can immediately see the difference -- but everything gets cleaner.

It is remarkable. We ran out for a time during the peak of Covid supply issues. Just could not get the stuff for a while.

We noticed and today add it as directed without question.

I’ve been thinking for a while that all dishwashers seems to use the same method of refilling rinse aid, but the mechanism is so unintuitive and unlike any other appliance you refill.

Anyone know why they are designed like this?

Every dishwasher I've used in Europe, works like this one in India [1]. Not particularly odd in any way. Fill to the brim and close.

This one [2] that seems to be American, does look odd to me.

[1] https://youtu.be/zqP0lMo4CEw?t=138 [2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vf_0c1amB58

Putting soap in the pre-rinse container makes a big difference too, but hardly anyone does it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rBO8neWw04

Great video! I always did add some in the pre-rinse container. That video solved a long running family debate on the merits of that.

Why don't they just put this stuff into detergent?

You need it after you have removed all the detergent.

There are pods attempt to do that but are largely unsuccessful.

It's a process step thing. Personally, I have not used a pod that performs when compared to cheap ass, no name, liquid detergent and rinse aid.

All anyone needs is competently made supplies. Cheap does not mean bad in this case, in my experience.

The do. If you ever see a a dishwasher detergent capsule with a sphere in it, then it contains rinse aid [1].

The logo on my dishwashing machine for running with detergent tablets containing rinse aid is even a rectangle with a circle inside.

[1] Like this one https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1rFuxXyLxK1Rjy0Ffq6zYdVXag/20-...

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