(http://camdenblogs.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/mp900442987.jpg)I don’t know about you, but I expect my plates and glasses to come out of the dishwasher cleaner than when I put them in there. Several months ago I was horrified to find spots and debris left behind on my allegedly clean dishes and in the bottom of the dishwasher. My husband worked on our dishwasher for a bit before we called out a repairman. The machine was given a clean bill of health, yet the problems continued. Just as I was about to give up and buy a new one, I heard an interesting article on NPR about a phosphate ban in automatic dishwashing detergents. I was shocked to realize that the soap under my sink could possibly be the culprit in my struggle to get clean dishes. I never gave any thought to what I used until it didn’t work anymore! A little over a year ago major dishwashing detergent manufactures made the decision to remove phosphates after the substance was banned from the products in over 17 states; the chemical compounds can pollute lakes, rivers and other waterways. Phosphates can create dangerous algae blooms that can be harmful to fish. Although dishwashing detergent is a small contributor to the phosphorus pollution, any reduction can have a benefit to the environment. The reason your dishes can look dirty after using low-phosphate detergent is that it helps to soften water, break down grease, prevent calcium stains and it keeps particles from re-depositing on the items you are washing. Whew! Who knew one change could make such a difference! If you have noticed that your dishwasher doesn’t seem to be working as well as it once did, please call your friendly community office and we will have one of our awesome Camden maintenance staff members check it out. If that does not take care of your concern, there are a few things you can try to address the issue.

• Experiment with different brands – the major manufacturers are racing to develop low-phosphate detergents that are as effective as the old ones. Check out Consumer Reports for their opinion on the current available products.

• You can add things to your washer like vinegar and baking soda, or try a product called LemiShine. This is actually what I have been using on my own dishes and I have noticed a marked improvement in how they look after washing. You can pick it up in any store that sells regular dishwashing soap.

• There are actually many websites with instructions on how to make your own dishwashing detergent with phosphorus that can be purchased at home improvement stores.

• Rinse off your dishes before they go into the machine to make sure there is as little debris as possible before you start the cycle.

As problematic as it is to deal with less-than-clean dishes, the long-term benefits to our environment outweigh the inconvenience we go through. Just keep in mind that we are all trying to do our small part for Mother Nature. If anyone else has a tip or suggestion for cleaner dishes, please feel free to post below!