Should I have more than one dishwashing soap?
In Brazil, there is a soap paste ("sabao pastoso") commonly used to clean aluminum pots with steel wool. I'm guessing the benefit here, compared to normal liquid dishwasing soap, comes only from a higher soap concentration and the pastier consistency (to keep the soap from running downward during scrubbing). But, the paste is black and appears more complicated. Is there more physics here?
And, would there be any drawback (besides cost, since you tend to use more soap when it's more concentrated) in using this paste to clean ceramic plates with a normal sponge?
I'm not familiar with this pasty soap in the USA. We usually use the same liquid dishwashing soap for every surface...is this is a bad practice?
Best Answer
Aluminum cleaners typically contain mild/organic acids and sometimes also contain abrasives, to help remove oxidation. The black color may very well be aluminum oxide which is a cleaning abrasive (a sensible choice for an aluminum pan cleaner). A paste is also sensible for aluminum pots because these pots require a rigorous scrubbing, compared with ceramic, teflon, and steel dishware.
However, most other cleaners are neutral or basic; and other common cleaning abrasives like silicon dioxide are white. Some cleaners contain oxidizers (like peroxides) and others contain reducing agents.
Dish detergent in the USA is generally made for removing/dissolving grease. We tend to use aluminum more for disposable aluminum-foil pans, and opt for stainless steel and/or other cookware materials, because other materials are simply better quality and require less scrubbing, and/or simply diswasher-safe (unlike aluminum which tends to become blackened by the oxidizing cleaners found in dishwasher soap).
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Can I put two soaps in the dishwasher?
If you have a regular dishwashing load, use one pod. If you have a full load that is heavily soiled, you should add in a second pod.How much dishwasher soap should I use?
So, What's the Right Amount? According to luxury home appliance brand, KitchenAid, most dishwasher models require between 2 teaspoons and 3 tablespoons of detergent. This depends greatly on the soil level of your dishes, your water hardness level and the type of detergent you are using.Can you use too much dishwashing liquid?
One of the biggest signs you are using too much detergent in your dishwasher is residue. Most will get washed away during the rinse cycle, but you will find some bits of detergent wedged in the finer grooves of your dishes. You may also notice a film covering some of your glassware as well.How much dish soap is too much?
You might be using too much dish soap if you continuously squeeze dollops of the cleaner onto your sponge while hand-washing your dishes.I messed up. You're using too much detergent.
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