On Jan 3, 5:15*pm, Robert Neville wrote:
Steve Barker wrote:
The best way is to add the phosphate back in by adding a cup of TSP (from the deck
cleaner aisle at the big box store) to a new box of detergent.

Yep. Can't wait until they outlaw TSP. Or try to.

A couple of comments - this is definitely a case where more is not better.. Use
too much TSP and you will damage any metal things (like silverware, utensiles or
bowls) or even the dishwasher itself.

Dishwasher detergent is one of those things sold by weight and used by volume.
The amount of TSP mentioned above is about right for one of the 85oz boxes of
dry detergent. Costco sized (125 oz) boxes use about a cup and a quarter. Adjust
for smaller boxes in proportion. Make sure you blend well. Pouring a cup of TSP
into the detergent box and shaking a couple of times won't cut it.

If you use the liquid detergents (why?), you'll have to add a teaspoon of TSP in
the dishwasher detergent cup. Also - be sure you get straight dry TSP. There are
lots of cleaners with TSP in the title that contain other substances.

Thank you all for your comments and help. My wife put a quart of
vinegar in the dishwasher and ran a cycle with no detergent or dishes.
Then she ran a light load of dirty dishes and pans and there was no
residue. We plan to pick up some official dishwasher cleaner (which
I've never heard of before) as some here mentioned and run a cleansing
wash every few months.

Paul