I messed up. You're using too much detergent.

cracks knuckles Chemistry expert and former detergent chemist here, chiming in. Modulo some small semantic differences, you're 100% spot on. Functionally, there is zero difference in the formulations. Every powder dish detergent on the market comprises the same functional components, though the exact chemicals selected may vary. It's always some combination of detergent, anti-deposition agent, water conditioners, strong base, oxidizers, enzymes, buffers, "processing aids", and what I call "foo foo juice" - colors and fragrances. The Purpose section is annoyingly vague so I'm going to break down each of the categories and give their examples. These aren't strict categories, in fact many of these chemicals perform double or even triple duty. Detergent/Surfactant - Allows water to bind grease molecules by virtue of having two halves, hydrophilic (water loving) and hydrophobic (water hating or grease-binding). These can be basic/anionic (negative charge): sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS); neutral: isotridecanol ethoxylated, PEG C10. Acidic/cationic (positive) are uncommon in dish detergents but you may see them in rinse aids. Bonus fact: rinse aids are typically mild acids ( pH about 3) which helps dissolve calcium deposits and soap scum. Because of this, they have to use neutral or cationic surfactants. Anti-deposition agent - Once you dissolve the grease, you don't want it to deposit back onto the dishes. Cascade calls this "boosts shine" but it's basically film prevention. The line between detergent and anti-deposition agent is blurry, and many chemicals can fulfill both roles. Acrylic copolymers are the best example here, but the PEGs (polyethylene glycol) also help in this regard, as do any neutral detergents. They tend to be weak detergents on their own, but their big advantage is they don't create soap scum (calcium fatty acids, more on that later). Water conditioners and chelators - Hard water means calcium, iron, and other large positive ions in solution. Calcium reacts with anionic surfactants (aka soaps) to form insoluble scum. This both reduces cleaning power and makes extra goop that needs to be cleaned! Water conditioners exchange sodium for calcium, binding it so it doesn't form scum. This category includes polycarboxylates, citric acid, sodium phosphate (discontinued), EDTA, and our friend sodium acrylate/maleic/carboxylate copolymers again (yes it doubles as both anti-deposition and water conditioner. Synergy!). Strong base - Anionic detergents work best at a high pH (alkaline/basic). Alkali also saponifies grease, giving it a hydrophilic group and turning it into soap! Lye (sodium hydroxide), bleach (sodium hypochlorite), sodium percarbonate aka sodium carbonate peroxide aka "OxyClean", sodium silicate, and sodium phosphate are all strong bases. See all that sodium? They also help condition water as well! Oxidizers - These react with staining molecules such as tomato sauce, berries, tea, and coffee, as well as natural polymers like proteins (cheese) to break them apart. Sodium hypochlorite and percarbonate are oxidisers. "Transition metal catalyst" has a similar role, except instead of being consumed, it facilitates the bleaching action. Enzymes - Starch and protein when heated and hydrated form a natural glue of sorts. Anyone dealing with stuck-on cheese or rice knows what I'm talking about. Enzymes are natural molecules that break these polymers down so they unstick from surfaces. Amylase specifically digests amylose (starch) and Subtilisin (protease) breaks down protein. Pro-tip: any time in biology you see whatever-ase, that breaks down _whatever_. Buffers - prevent the base from being too basic and etching glassware. I think this is what zinc carbonate is doing, but I'm not 100% sure. Processing Aid - Any time you see "processing aid" or "enables liquid processing" - that just means it's an inert bulk transport, because either the active ingredient is too viscous, or cakes easily, or whatever. Glycerin and Dipropylene glycol act as liquid solvents in those colorful liquid sections of the gel packs, since too much water would dissolve the pack. Sodium sulfate is just an inert powder.

He may suggest we click on different chapters to skip parts, but we all know we’re watching this 48 minute video from start to finish lmao

"There's also sodium hydroxide in here, not gonna lye" made me kinda sad, because it made me realize just how many of your jokes are probably going right over my head

"There's even sodium hydroxide in here, not gonna lye." Magnificent. Utterly magnificent. Hats off, sir. I also have enormous respect for your commitment to delivering the synopsis at the beginning at speed, rather than using digital trickery to make it seem like you did. Truly an artisan.

Can I just say that adding soap during the prewash is A GAME CHANGER!!!! I always called BS on anyone saying “you don’t have to rinse your dishes.” After watching these videos I was like yeah right, but fine I’ll give it a go just so I can say you’re wrong. I have never been so happy to be wrong before. Everyone in my family does this now and agrees it’s great. Thank you!!

"I'm a midwesterner, I'm no stranger to principled suffering" is an amazing line :D

"By the magic of buying way too much fu*king dishwasher detergent" is my favorite TC moment by FAR.

Wow. I have spent half my life working on dishwashers, 1000's of dishwashers of all brands over two decades. I also use a dishwasher at least 3 times a day because I have a huge family. I am embarrased to say that I have learnt something new, adding a bit of detergent for the prerinse. Makes a lot of sense, lol. Subscribed and liked. Thank you sir.

Your dry delivery (and perfectly timed bleep) of the phrase “way too much fu**ing dishwasher detergent” is the funniest thing I’ve heard all day.

Laundry detergents: YES....make an entire series about every household consumable like this, I've wanted this sorta thing for years.

"I'm not gonna lye" I would have missed this gem without the closed captioning. Thank you for a good punny laugh.

The line about the design flaw where a plate blocks the dispenser from opening SAVED ME I thought something was broken but I realized I had a big cutting board right up against the dispenser when it closed. I was getting said clumpy powder mess. THANK YOU SO MUCH

Never thought I'd watch this long of a video about dishwasher chemicals, but you have a great personality and level of thoroughness that I appreciate.

I guess this is what being adult is like: watching a man on youtube rant about dish detergent and walking away with valuable life lessons...

Okay let's just appreciate that we got a better apology from the internet toaster and refrigeration guy for accidentally misleading a handful of people about detergent, resulting in a few incompletely rinsed dishes than we usually get when people actually do real bad things that hurt people.

your video auto-played next from something i was listening to while i was grocery shopping with my son. i didn't change away because i wanted to 'not be picky' and let it play.....and also because my phone was zipped into my jacket. i am now home, finished putting away my groceries, rewatched your video, about to explore the rest of your channel, and am now sad i JUST left my local Walmart without getting non-tablet detergent powder. Thank you sir.

I just discovered your channel today, and I'll admit, I find your commentary entertaining enough that I watched most of this video despite not having owned or used a home dishwasher in over a decade. That is all.

“through the magic of buying way too much f*cking dishwasher detergent” almost felt like it was a planned out punchline, that you only made the reoccurring “through the magic of buying two” as a buildup to it… I know that’s probably not how it happened but it just was delivered so perfectly.

Technology Connections: "We need to talk about dishwashers again." Me: "Damn right we do."

This Video (and its predecessor) has brought me so much joy. the Joy of not doing the dishes anymore. I was under the impression that dishes had to be soaked and rinsed to effectively wash in a dishwasher. My whole family holds this perception, this video has disrupted us and set us free from the damning binds of dirty dishes. This video saved my LIFE