Product Review: Cascade 2-in-1 Action Pacs With Bleach Dishwasher Detergent

Several years ago I learned from Consumer Reports that powdered dishwasher detergent cleans better than liquid because it contains enzymes. After testing it by switching to powder detergent, I was pleased to find their claim true.

For quite some time I used Electrasol dishwashing tablets because they ranked high on Consumer Reports ratings and because they were inexpensive. For a while, I also used WalMart's brand of dishwashing tablets. The performance of both was far superior to the liquid dishwasher detergents I had previously used. I also liked that the amount of detergent was pre-measured and I didn't have to guess how much I should be putting in. The only negative was unwrapping the little package every time I put one into the dishwasher. I know it is a little thing, but it was a pain.

Then one day at WalMart, these Cascade 2-in-1 Action Pacs were cheaper than either the Electrasol or WalMart brand. So, I tried them out, and I was hooked (although they are no longer the cheaper alternative). I love that I don't have to unwrap the package. The powder is encased in some sort of dissolvable packaging. I (or one of the kids) can just pop it in the compartment, close the flap, and turn on the dishwasher.

There are several varieties of these Cascade Action Pacs. I always like to think I am killing extra germs, so I choose the one that includes bleach.

For what it is worth, I think powdered laundry detergent works better than liquid for the same reason.