Do you fill the prewash bin on your dishwasher? - trying to save money

[momsavealot]

Hi there,
Just "dawned" on me that maybe I could save money by not filling the prewash bin on my dishwasher. I fill the main bin, but both? Maybe I'm just paranoid, but maybe it's a scam to get us to buy twice as much dishwasher liquid. Anyway, just looking for your thoughts.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

Almost never. I use powerball tablets.

If I happen to have liquid or powder in the house, I only fill the prewash if there are a lot of really greasy dishes that I don't want to prewash (like stuff from a cookout). I haven't had any problems.

 

[hanutedmansionmomma]

nope. I never use as much laundry detergent or softener that the little measuring cups tell ya either...

 

[abmitch01]

never and I don't use rinse agent

 

[disneymomto5]

I do, but I have a horrible dishwasher that never gets anything clean and really hard water. If I don't fill it the dishes don't come close to being clean and if I do then they "almost" come clean. It's very frustrating.

 

[MommaSnowwhite]

I use vinegar as a rinse agent.

 

[Crystal824]

Nope, I use the tabs. I do however use a rinse agent most of the time. It occassionally runs out and I forget to fill it through a couple of cycles.

 

[lisaross]

No, usually not, sometimes i put 1/2 in pre-wash and 1/2 in the regular wash. i also use the vinigar for the rinse.

 

[PrincessBelle09]

I fill both, but I also make my own dishwasher detergent and use half the amount in the prewash as I do in the wash. I also use vinegar as a rinse agent and generally use the china/crystal setting which is much faster and uses less water. My dishes come out just as clean as when I paid way too much money for store bought eco-friendly detergent and rinse agent.

 

[kidshop]

What's a pre wash bin? Is it the little cup with no cover? I've never put anything in there LOL!

 

[luvmy3]

No but I have a water softener so I can use less soap. I don't use a rinse agent either, I use white vinegar instead.

 

[MnMomtoboys]

We don't usually use ours either. If we do its because we have aimed wrong.

 

[momsavealot]

Thanks for the replies! I knew I didn't need to be using as much detergent as I have been. This is going on my list of ways to cut down this summer!

 

[jms920]

for those of you who use white vinegar as a rinse agent, how much do you use and do you fill the dispenser with it? I'm waiting for delivery of my new energy star dishwasher and I've read the the energy savers also tend to not dry well if you don't use a rinse agent. Is this true and will vinegar do the same thing? Also those of you who buy the little packets of dw detergent, is the rinse agent in that packet too?

 

[lisaross]

yes, i fill the dispenser w/the white vinigar and it does dry the dishes

for those of you who use white vinegar as a rinse agent, how much do you use and do you fill the dispenser with it? I'm waiting for delivery of my new energy star dishwasher and I've read the the energy savers also tend to not dry well if you don't use a rinse agent. Is this true and will vinegar do the same thing? Also those of you who buy the little packets of dw detergent, is the rinse agent in that packet too?

 

[luvthatdisney]

When we bought our dishwasher and washer/dryer at HHGregg a year or so ago, the salesperson told me not to fill the pre-wash cup and to use half the amount of detergent in our clothes washer. She said HH Gregg sent her to a class that informed them on the proper use of household appliances. They said the extra detergent is not good for the machines and they will wear out quicker

Since then I never use the pre-wash cup. I use the Cascade packs that have the rinse agent in the packet with the detergent. I use one per wash and that is all I use. I do not have any problems.

 

[DVC-Don]

We have a new Bosch that does not even have a pre-wash bin.

 

[Fly4free]

I only fill the prewash if I have dirty or greasy pots. White vinegar is an excellent rinse aid!

 

[jms920]

yes, i fill the dispenser w/the white vinigar and it does dry the dishes

Great! Thanks!!!

Jo

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

no

I also use less detergent than recommended (I think I heard to use no more than 2 Tablespoons), and no rinsing agent. I would use the vinegar though, if I needed it!