I Always Used Cascade, But These 8 Dishwasher Detergents Work Even Better

For a long time, Cascade felt like the obvious choice for getting dishes clean. It’s widely trusted and easy to find, so it’s no surprise many households stick with it. But after trying other options and looking more closely at what’s available, it became clear that there are several detergents that can deliver equal or even better results.

With so many brands on the market today, from well-known names to newer alternatives, it’s worth exploring what actually works best for your routine. This list highlights eight dishwasher detergents that stand out for cleaning power, convenience, and overall performance, offering a few strong alternatives if you’re thinking about making a switch.

When it comes to my dishwasher, I often prefer tablets to powder or liquid, and Miele delivers with their UltraTabs. As soon as you start the wash, the tablet dissolves and goes to work. Each tablet has three levels of cleaning, so it works hard to ensure that your dishes are clean when they come out. Put these in your machine, and you'll have the cleanest glassware you've ever seen.

There are many benefits to using the UltraTabs. They are designed for Miele dishwashers but may also work in other brands, though optimal results are best achieved with Miele machines. The tablets are also very easy to handle. They won't break or dissolve in your hands. On the negative side, you're only getting 20 tablets per box, so you'll be buying refills regularly.

The Finish brand is another one of the best in the business. These tablets have incredible cleaning technology. They're set up so that the tablets release the proper cleaning component at the right time. The company also boasts the promise that you don't need to rinse your dishes at all before throwing them in the wash with the Finish detergent.

There are certainly more pros than cons when it comes to these Finish tablets. They are incredibly effective when it comes to rinsing away residue and cleaning stuck-on foods. You'll be amazed at how spotless your dishes are when you take them out. The only downside is that you may need to purchase and use a separate rinse aid, depending on your dishwasher.

When it comes to loading my dishwasher, I find that I'm not satisfied if I don't also add Method dishwasher packs. Method is the big-time eco-friendly brand on the market. The Method brand packs lack a lot of the chemicals that you'll find in Cascade and other brands, but they still pack quite a punch. After testing, it was found that this brand could remove tough stains from meals 48 hours ago, so you don't have to worry about forgetting to do a load.

There are certainly more pros than cons when it comes to Method dishwasher detergent. The brand is incredibly reliable, the package is easy to store, and you get a delightful lemon scent (though unscented options are available). The only downside is that, like with many eco-friendly products, the Method tablets can be a bit more expensive.

If you want to bring your sustainability to the next level, then look into the Blueland Dishwasher Starter Set. When you order, you get a tin container that you can fill with cleaning tablets. There are no unnecessary materials, and you can refill the tin again and again. With all that said, how do they clean? The Blueland tablets do quite well. They'll leave your dishes and silverware shiny and spotless. 

There are some disadvantages to receiving your dishwasher tablets in this way. Some of them may arrive broken. Plus, this eco-friendly product is also more expensive than standard dishwasher detergent. However, the package is easy to store, and the reusable tin is a nice touch. The brand also works remarkably well, so you'll have pristine dishes while also helping the planet.

You go to Amazon for everything else. Why not also consider their dishwasher pods? The tablets are very price-friendly, especially if you get them with Subscribe and Save. No matter how you order them, they're much more affordable than Cascade. The pods include a detergent and a rinse aid, so you get everything done at once with very few visible streaks. The brand is also very effective at eliminating grease.

My dishwasher is happy when it gets Amazon Basics pods, at least most of the time. There are some rare instances where the dishes aren't quite as clean as I find them to be when using a liquid product. With that said, they still work remarkably well. The formula isn't super complicated, but you'll be satisfied with what you get.

The idea behind the Ecover soap tablets is that they're supposed to be relatively eco-friendly. They are biodegradable and phosphate-free. The tablets will work very well and leave your glass and silverware in great shape. Plus, the tablets have very little odor, which can be a nice perk.

The perks of most Ecover products are that they provide substantial results while also doing a great deal to help the planet. As opposed to many other eco-friendly products, Ecover is right at the average cost of products like Cascade. The only real downside about this product is that each capsule is individually wrapped, which produces some unnecessary plastic waste.

People who love the environment will often choose Seventh Generation products as their go-to, and these incredible detergent pods are no exception. This product is incredibly effective but lacks many of the hazardous chemicals that are found in other products. Seventh Generation is chlorine-free and phosphate-free. They are also fragrance-free. In the end, your dishes will come out sparkling clean while making the world a better place. 

Most of the pros of Seventh Generation detergent are in the fact that it's eco-friendly and safe for all users. The detergent is also very cost-effective, so you can keep your dishes clean for less. With that said, while the product does a great job, it is not quite as effective as some of the other detergents in the market. Still, we recommend it over Cascade.

Finally, if I have to choose between detergents for my dishwasher, I often go with Meyer's. Their bag of automatic dishpacs are game changers. They contain no chlorine, phosphates, or parabens. They also have a nice scent, which benefits you and your dishes. On top of it all, the dish packs are also septic-safe. 

Meyer's presents a great product with these dish pacs. They are designed to automatically release detergent at the right time so they're as effective as possible. This brand is also especially solid for dishes and glasses. While they sometimes leave some residue on silverware and are a bit more expensive, they are a great option for your dishwashing needs.