# Dishwashing Detergent - Liquid vs Powdered
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dishwashing-detergent-liquid-vs-powdered/652248
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [March 7, 2013, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dishwashing-detergent-liquid-vs-powdered/652248 "2013-03-07T01:20:22Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)
#### Post date: [March 8, 2013, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dishwashing-detergent-liquid-vs-powdered/652248/21 "2013-03-08T16:51:43Z")
> [@DMark](#):
>
> […]
> Buy a huge bottle of vinegar - pour in about half cup before every wash. Then add the powder to the little trap door.
>
> OK, I know this sounds unbelievable […]
I think this makes all kinds of sense. Acids like vinegar dissolve calcium carbonate quite rapidly, and this will be doing it with every wash. The first rinse will heat this up and sling it everywhere vigorously for more than enough time. The subsequent steps will get rid of it.
The only problem I see is if the dishwasher carries over too much liquid from step to step. Dishwashing detergents generally make the wash water alkaline. If there is much acetic acid left from the previous step, this cleaning attribute would get neutralized.
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### Author:  [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)
#### Post date: [March 8, 2013, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dishwashing-detergent-liquid-vs-powdered/652248/22 "2013-03-08T16:58:34Z")
> [@Napier](#):
>
> The only problem I see is if the dishwasher carries over too much liquid from step to step. Dishwashing detergents generally make the wash water alkaline. If there is much acetic acid left from the previous step, this cleaning attribute would get neutralized.
You would think so, but all I can tell you is we have never had a problem. We have used this method for years and our dishwasher works perfectly - even with really full loads. (We take turns blaming each other for being the cause of a full dishwasher too often…)
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