Clean dishes for pennies per load.(up front: News / Trends / Advice)(Product/service evaluation)

Although none of the seven dishwasher detergents we just tested beat the top-rated product from our previous test, in May 2006 (Cascade 2-in-1 Action Pacs), there's good news: Three detergents were very good at about one-fourth the cost. Everyday Living powders, Great Value, and Kirkland Signature cost just 5 or 6 cents per load.

Rated higher but far more expensive was Ecover Ecological (ecological, our experts say, because it lacks the chlorine and phosphates many others have). As with the better products from past tests, all the higher-rated detergents have enzymes. The gels tested this time, including the gel version of Everyday Living, lack enzymes and were only fair.

Excellent choices from past tests, in addition to the Cascade Action Pacs (21 cents per load), include America's Choice and Cascade Pure Rinse powders, at 11 cents and 13 cents per load, respectively. The highest-rated gel from past tests is Cascade Complete, which costs 19 cents per load.

For more information

Free: Full Ratings of dishwasher detergents are available from Aug. 7 to 31 at www.ConsumerReports.org/dishwasherdetergents.

 
Quick Ratings 
Dishwasher detergents update 
 
In performance order. Products with equal scores are listed 
alphabetically. 
 
                                        Cost per 
Product                        Type     load 
 
Ecover Ecological              powder   21 cents 
Kirkland Signature (#)         powder   5 
(Costco) Lemon Fresh 
Everyday Living (Kroger) (#)   powder   6 
Great Value (Wal-Mart) (#)     powder   5 
Palmolive Lemon                gel      9 
Grove 
Great Value (Wal-Mart)         gel      8 
Orange Scent 
Everyday Living (Kroger)       gel      10 
 
                                    Overall score 
 
                               0                   100 
  ...