What is the rationale of liquid dish-washing detergent?

Question

What is the rationale of liquid dish-washing detergent?

Answer 1

it is the best way to clean dishes. What else would you use?

Answer 2

I assume you mean detergent intended for use in the dishwasher.

That's a good question, and I suppose that - particularly in areas with soft water - people feel that a liquid would dissolve more thoroughly than a powder.

Personally, I tend to avoid the liquids.  They seem to have some sort of clay filler in them to make them thick enough to stay in the dispenser cup provided in the door of the dishwasher, and even then I've yet to find a dispenser with a lid that fits tightly enough to keep the liquid from seeping out before the wash cycle begins.

Answer 3

Liquid dishwasher detergents are useful if you have hard water. Powdered detergents don't always dissolve in hard water, so you get this gritty film on your half-clean dishes. Also, since many solid detergents are now sold in tabs instead of in powder, it's easier to vary the amount of detergent with liquid.

Dish detergent for hand-washing is almost always liquid because it dissolves easier. If it takes ten minutes for detergent to dissolve in the dishwasher you'll never know it. In the sink it'll be immediately obvious.

Answer 4

What am I gonna do, rub a bar of soap on my dishes?