MamaSuds Automatic Dishwasher Powder

Important note on dishwasher detergents

Dishwasher detergent is one of those products that touches what you eat and drink from every single day. I care about this category because some detergents can leave behind residue or film, especially when formulas rely on unnecessary additives or plastic-based pod wrappers.

What I avoid in dishwasher detergents

For this category, I avoid pod films made with PVA/PVOH, undisclosed or toxic fragrance blends, chlorine bleach, quaternary ammonium compounds (quats), methylisothiazolinone (MIT), and solvent-type ingredients (including glycol ethers and petroleum-based solvents). I also steer clear of heavy fillers that don’t help cleaning but can contribute to buildup or a cloudy finish on glassware.

What I look for instead is a simple powder with mineral-based cleaning agents that rinse clean.

Product description

MamaSuds Automatic Dishwasher Powder is a minimalist, powder dishwasher detergent made with non-GMO citric acid, sodium bicarbonate, sodium percarbonate, and sodium carbonate. It’s designed to cut grease, help with stuck-on food, and reduce that cloudy, filmy feeling some detergents leave behind.

I like powder in general because it lets you control how much you use based on your water and your load, instead of being locked into a one-size pod.

What I like

I like that the ingredient list is short and straightforward, without pod films, fragrance blends, or unnecessary additives.

The formula uses simple mineral ingredients that make sense for dishwashing: an oxygen-based cleaner plus minerals that help break down grime.

It’s easy to adjust the amount depending on how dirty the dishes are and how your dishwasher performs.

Things to keep in mind

Water quality matters with powders. If you have hard water, you may need to tweak how much you use and consider a rinse aid approach that works for your machine.

Because it’s concentrated, using too much can contribute to residue or film. I prefer starting smaller and adjusting up as needed.

Keep it sealed and dry so it doesn’t clump.