Composition of dishwasher rinse aid

Streaks and streaks on plates and mugs can appear even after a cycle in a top-notch dishwasher. This happens if, in a rush, you forget to add rinse aid to the dishwasher tray. This is what gives your cutlery its shine, ensuring impeccable cleaning results.

Is this product harmful to humans? Let's take a look at the ingredients in dishwasher rinse aids and tell you which products are worth paying attention to.

What ingredients does mouthwash contain?

The ingredients of dishwasher rinse aid are always listed on the packaging. Many manufacturers describe the ingredients in general terms, leading buyers to believe the products are identical. This isn't entirely true, and it requires further investigation.

The most common components found in dishwasher rinse aids are:

• ethanol;
• citric acid;
• water;
• surfactants;
• lactic acid;
• preservatives;
• ethers;
• polycarboxylates;
• bleaching agents.

Rinse aid should be used as an addition to the main detergent.

Rinse aid prevents water droplets from collecting on dishes. This prevents streaks from forming on cutlery. This ensures that your kitchenware looks as good as new after washing.

If we assume that all dishwasher rinse aids are identical, it's unclear why some are so much more expensive than others. Is this really just a brand overpricing? Let's look at the ingredients of popular products in different price categories.

Let's compare the compositions of mouthwashes

Prices for dishwasher rinse aids vary greatly in stores. You can buy one for $0.70 or ten times more for the same amount. What explains this difference? To answer this, let's look at the ingredients in different price categories.

• Cinderella rinse aid. Suitable for all types of dishwashers. The manufacturer states that the product consists of the following components: water (more than 30%), acid mixture (5-15%), non-ionic surfactants (up to 5%), solvent (less than 5%), and a functional additive. A half-liter bottle costs approximately $0.69. Users note that Cinderella's performance is no different from that of more expensive alternatives—it leaves no streaks and has no unpleasant odor.
• Sodasan dishwasher rinse aid. This product is extremely safe, free of sulfates and phosphates, which are harmful to the body and the environment. Its ingredients include purified water, citric acid, ethanol, citrate, and sugar-based surfactants. It's safe for allergy sufferers and suitable for baby dishes. A liter bottle costs approximately $6.30. This product has several European certificates confirming its quality.
• Finish is from a Polish manufacturer. A 0.4-liter bottle costs approximately $1.90–$2. It contains non-ionic surfactants that prevent cutlery from tarnishing and darkening, preservatives that inhibit the growth of mold and other harmful microorganisms, and polycarboxylates, which enhance the effectiveness of the other ingredients.
• Frosch mouthwash from a German manufacturer. Its key feature is its ability to completely biodegrade. It's suitable for washing children's dishes and cutlery for allergy sufferers. It contains phosphate-free non-ionic surfactants and fruit acid. A 0.75-liter bottle costs approximately $2.50–$3.
• Sonett dishwasher rinse aid. Contains castor oil, vegetable alcohol, water, balsamic additives (harvested from wild plants), and alkyl polyglucoside. This organic, eco-friendly rinse aid is suitable for all types of dishwashers and is biodegradable. A half-liter bottle costs about $7.

As you can see, the components of expensive and cheap mouthwashes differ. It is necessary to choose a safe product that does not contain sulfates, preservatives, emulsifiers, or surfactants from petroleum distillates. It is desirable that the product be biodegradable and have quality certificates.

When reading the ingredients on the packaging, you may see generalized phrases such as "functional additive," "non-ionic surfactants," and "preservative." It's best to avoid purchasing such mouthwashes. The "disguised" ingredients may well be harmful to your body.

   

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