Seventh Generation Automatic Dishwasher Gel, Lemon Scent, 42-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 6)
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List Price: Our Price: $9.95 You Save: $27.76 (74%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Health Care See more product details |
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Customer Reviews of Seventh Generation Automatic Dishwasher Gel, Lemon Scent, 42-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 6)
Customer Review: Is it really a good alternative? Probably not.
Summary: 2 Stars
I have been trying to make changes, particularly with regards to cleaning products and conservation, in my household that are more responsible for the environment and safer for my family. So, I was really excited when I found this on the shelf of my local grocery. But, what a disappointment it has been!!
First of all, even though I know it can be wasteful of water, I am a pre-rinser. So, I never expected that I wouldn't have to pre-rinse with this stuff. [Side note: I have always been baffled by those people who put really dirty dishes straight into their dishwashers hoping for a cleaning miracle. First of all, no matter what kind of detergent you use, or how good your washer is, all that stuff isn't going to come off. Secondly, putting really grimey dishes into your washer is like playing russian roulette - one day you're going to lose and you'll either end up with a hefty bill when you break your washer or when you have to call a plumber to unclog your drains.] But, no amount of pre-rinsing, or increasing the amount of detergent you use, is going to make your dishes come out cleaner. For the effort you have to exert, and the amount of water you must use in the pre-rinse, you might as well go all the way and finish washing your dishes by hand.
I also get a huge amount of soap film on my stuff using this product. I tried varying the amount of detergent, making sure I've not overloaded or underloaded the washer, as well as adding a rinse aid as suggested by Seventh Generation (I find this recommendation for a rinse aid quite ironic -- talk about environmentally UN-friendly stuff). Nothing worked. The scum is still there so I definitely don't agree with the claim on the bottle that says "gets your dishes sparkling clean..."
Unfortunately, I think this stuff is a just a gimmic aimed at people who want to do their part in helping the environment. I can't figure out what's worse... spending a lot of water pre-rinsing and having to re-wash dishes after they come out of the washer so they resemble "clean" or just using a more reliable detergent that might contain some chlorine and phosphates? I think I'll go back to my old reliable -- Cascade.
Customer Review: Great for the Environment...but just okay for your dishes
Summary: 2 Stars
Over the last few years I have become increasingly concerned about my impact on the environment. I use compact fluorescent light bulbs, recycle at least half my trash, try not to drive very much, and buy eco-friendly products. This is one of the products I have purchased to replace Cascade Complete Gel Lemon Burst - 45 Oz, 12 Ea which I had been using for the last 15 years. I really assumed this would be an equal, or close to equal, trade considering the higher price... no such luck, unfortunately.
I found that this cleaner left food stains on the dishes and silverware, which I normally was able to clean with Cascade. I also found that harsher stains such as coffee rings in mugs were left untouched after even two washes. I have recently started pre-scrubbing all the dishes and the silverware before washing. This resolves almost all of the problems, but at a cost. If you were unable to scrub dishes, due to arthritis or didn't have time due to a busy schedule, then this would be really annoying. Plus for those of us that use multiple washes to counter the ineffectiveness, the impact on the environment may be neutralized since we would be wasting more water, more electricity, more gel, etc. If you have a high efficiency dishwasher and don't mind supplying some essential elbow grease, then I would say this product does help the environment and can eventually clean your dishes. On the other hand if you are looking for a great automatic dishwasher gel, then keep looking. This product ranks similar to the cheapest watered-down generics lurking in the sale aisle of a dollar store. Nothing against this product's intentions, I commend them. But, its performance left my dishes wondering when Cascade was coming back.
Customer Review: Frustrated with film!
Summary: 1 Stars
I love Seventh Generation products. This product is horrible though. It leaves a film on silicone items, e.g. my colander and muffin pans, and sometimes silverware. I have tried everything to no avail. I will not buy this product again. I hope I find a green product that works. I don't want to go back to Cascade.
ON SECOND THOUGHT....
I want to revise my rating. I browsed Seventh Generation's FAQ section, and they recommended using less if you have soft water. This is what they wrote:
QUESTION: Why is there a residue on my dishes after using the Seventh Generation Automatic Dish Detergent? Is this residue safe?
ANSWER: The residue that periodically is found on clean dishes is caused by the level of hardness in your water and the amount of detergent that is used, accordingly.
If you have hard water you will need to use a rinse aid. Our product does not have phosphates in it, which can act as a rinse aid. With extremely hard water, the detergent will need the assistance of the rinse aid, which acts as a buffer so that minerals from the water and soils are not redeposited on the clean dishes and glasses.
If you have soft water you will need to reduce the amount of the detergent that you use per load. If you are using too much detergent, it will be impossible for your dish washer to rinse off the extra detergent and the minerals from the water.
The residue has no health impacts.
I gave it a shot. It worked! There's no film when I don't fill the prewash cup and skip that cycle. Since I rinse my dishes before I load them it makes more sense to go through a normal cycle and skip prewash. My overzealous, germaphobic ways got me into trouble. I change my writing to 4.5 stars.
Customer Review: It saddens me to write this but this gel simply does not do its job
Summary: 1 Stars
Ok, first of all, I consider myself to be pretty environmentally conscious (I'm obsessed with recycling, eat mostly organic vegetarian food, 95% of my health and beauty products are all natural, cruelty free, phosphate and paraben free etc.). I've used other 7th Generation products, and while they weren't great they were at least satisfactory. I pay a lot of attention about things I purchase, check out company's background, ratings on sites like [...] etc. and I know 7th Generation is environment, health and animal friendly. That's why I feel really bad about writing this review but I have to say that this gel does not clean my dishes AT ALL--I think I'd get better results running my dishwasher without it. First time I tried it I did a normal wash with a normal amount of gel. When I opened the door after the cycle was done the dishes looked pretty much the same as they did when I put them in. There were cereal bits stuck to the bowls, coffee mugs still had coffee in them, plates had bits of food on them. Now, I always rinse out everything before I put it in so the dishes weren't all that dirty to begin with. I decided to run it again, this time putting in enormous amounts of gel and putting my dishwasher on the 'heavy wash' setting. That barely made a difference--the dishes were still dirty. I feel really bad about wasting water for that second load. Sorry 7th Generation, I'm just telling it like it is. :(Customer Review: Great dishwasher detergent & smells GREAT!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased this item at my local Target and I am glad that I gave it a chance. Before using this product I tried Kirkland Signature's eco-friendly dishwashing powder and was HIGHLY disappointed. This product left a powdery residue on my dishes and I felt my dishes were not clean. So, after I used all of that product up, I decided to give this a chance. This is a great product. It cleans my dishes well and I have had no problems with a residue left on my dishes. (I do use Distilled White Vinegar in my rinse aid compartment, so maybe that is why I don't have a residue problem.) The lemon scent of this product is very pleasant. It is not overpowering, which I love. I do rinse and wipe my dishes off before loading them in the dishwasher, so I am unable to attest whether this product removes any stuck on food grime. I also follow the directions on the bottle of how much soap to use. I love that Amazon offers Subscribe & Save for this product (which I signed up for today). It makes it more convenient to get this product at a cheaper price than is sold in stores. Overall, I have no complaints about this product. The price on Amazon is affordable and convenient since you get 6 bottles. It cleans the dishes well and the smell is nice. Give it a try!