Selecting the Right Detergent for Your Dishwasher There are two forms of dishwasher detergents available - granular and liquid/gel. Granular detergents are the more traditional form. They should be kept tightly closed and stored in a dry place (not under the sink since it is usually too warm and damp.) Old or caked detergent will not clean as well and can leave a sandy deposit on dishes. Liquid or gel dishwasher detergents do not cake or clump as easily, however they can separate as they age. They can cause excessive sudsing in soft water. If this happens, switch to a granular detergent. Consumers should experiment with different brands and types of detergent to find one best suited for local water conditions. Amount to Use The proper amount of detergent is essential to the performance of a dishwasher. The amount will vary with the hardness of the water. A guideline is: one teaspoon of detergent per grain of water hardness with 3 teaspoons as a minimum. For example, if the water hardness is 6 grains per gallon (gpg), use 6 teaspoons of detergent. For a Normal or longer cycle place 6 teaspoons of detergent in both detergent cups. For shorter cycles place 6 teaspoons of detergent in the Main Wash cup only. In a sensor operated dishwasher (i.e. Maytag IntelliSense™ dishwasher), place detergent in both cups for unrinsed dishes and in the Main Wash cup only for prerinsed dishes. When using a concentrated dishwashing detergent, use approximately half as much detergent as recommended in these guidelines. Rinse Aids Rinse aids such as Jet-Dry* and Cascade Crystal Clear* are wetting agents that allow water to "sheet off" glassware instead of clinging and leaving spots. Rinse aids also improve drying, resulting in less spotting and filming. There are two popular forms - liquid and solid. Some dishwashers have a rinse aid dispenser which automatically dispenses a measured amount of liquid rinse aid into the final rinse. For dishwashers without a rinse aid dispenser, use one of the solid forms. *Brand names are trademarks of the respective manufacturers.