Which dishwashing liquids are clear winners?

Publication: Consumer Reports

Bookmark this article Print this article Link to this article Email this article Digg It! Add to del.icio.us RSS

COPYRIGHT 2002 Consumers Union of the United States, Inc.

When Procter & Gamble introduced Dawn dishwashing liquid in 1975, it came in one version. Today there are 11 Dawns, including antibacterial, hand care, and "PowerPlus." Indeed, P&G has gone so far as to post an interactive quiz on its web site to help you determine which Dawn is right for you.

An equally broad spectrum of products from other manufacturers has left supermarket shelves awash in different formulations, colors, and scents. Yet, despite the variations, dish liquids continue to work in the same basic way: They contain surface active agents (surfactants) that cut grease and help loosen food residue so that you can expend less elbow grease.

We tested 18 dishwashing liquids, including leading national brands, store labels, and a "natural" product. Our tough soil-cleaning test separated the dishpan champs from the also-rans. We coated glass plates with a strip of hard-to-clean food (a mix of flour, egg-yolk powder, sugar, and evaporated milk) and baked it on for good measure. Then we attached a soft sponge to a mechanical scrubbing arm, submerged each plate in a solution of dish liquid and water, and put the arm in motion. We set it to scrub with light pressure so we could observe small differences in effectiveness. Products were scored on how many strokes of the arm it took to break through the dirt.

The most effective product was Ivory Ultra, which did the job in 184 strokes,...

Read the full article for free courtesy of your local library.