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Sparkle, Sparkle: Trying Out Cascade Platinum Pacs

dishwasher

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Cascade. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

A few months ago, I noticed that our dishes weren’t coming clean in the dishwasher. It would take two cycles to get them clean. And even then, I often found myself rewashing items by hand. Not fun. Shortly after, the dishwasher developed this weird haze. I wiped it clean, but it kept coming back. So finally I ran a cycle with a special dishwasher cleaning solution and it helped a little more.

But the dishes still weren’t getting clean. And the buildup, I learned, was due to our well water. Talk about frustrating. It felt like I just couldn’t keep up — and the dishwasher was more work than it was worth.

cascade platinum-2

When Mom Central asked if I would review Cascade Platinum Pacs, I noticed that these dishwashing tablets — in addition to cleaning plates to a pleasant shine — also clean the dishwasher at the same time. Score! Considering I was dealing with trying to remove build-up in the dishwasher at the time, it seemed like fate that I should get that offer at that very moment. So I said yes.

Now, trying these is a complete departure from what I normally use in the dishwasher. I’ve never bought Cascade Pacs of any kind before, so I wasn’t sure even how well other varieties of this brand work.

cascade platinum

The first time I used one of the pacs, I got a little smile out of the brightly colored liquids inside but worried that they weren’t all they were cracked up to be. I mean sometimes when something is super pretty, it’s really a mask for not performing as well. But that wasn’t the case here. I was surprised just how clean my glasses were. Gone were the irritating streaks and water marks. Everything in the dish came out looking so fresh and new. Over the course of the next few weeks, I really put them to the test with tough cooked on foods and even a plate or two left overnight. The Cascade Platinum totally exceeded all expectations.

Now the downside. Cascade Platinum Pacs are a little pricey. The suggested retail price starts at $4.29 for the 14 count package and goes up to $12.49 for the 43 count package. Considering that we do 2-3 loads of dishes a day (goes with the territory with my job), the cost of these pacs adds up fast.

So, will I buy these now that I have tried them and loved them? The short answer is yes. The longer answer is that I am sold on Cascade as a brand and have already purchased a package of other pacs from them. For day to day use, I am happy with their less expensive version of pacs. But I think using these Cascade Platinum Pacs once in a while will help keep our dishwasher sparkling in the long term.

Have you tried Cascade Platinum? How do you like it?

Mom Central asked that I share a little more about the brand with you as well. First, did you know that Cascade has partnered with Gail Simmons of Food and Wine Magazine (and Top Chef)? She’s helping to spread the word that presentation of food on sparkling dishes is as important as great flavors.

Also, Cascade is currently hosting a #MyPlatinum Pinterest Contest. You can find the full details at this link, but hurry and enter because the contest ends on June 30, 2013. And finally, do check out Cascade online, if you are interested in learning more about their dishwashing detergent products:


Disclosure: I was compensated for this post but all opinions are my own.

Dana Thompson

Sunday 20th of April 2014

I, like everyone else who has used them, LOVE the new platinum pacs. I discovered them a few months ago and have spread the word BUT, have had several - 5 or 6 - end up in the bottom of my dishwasher, undesolved. I am careful to make sure they are placed correctly in the dishwasher. Yesterday, one went through the whole cycle TWICE after the initial wash and was still intact.

What happened?

Please e-mail me. Thanks. Dana Thompson

Sarah W. Caron

Sunday 20th of April 2014

Hi Dana, really? Interesting. I haven't had that happen. But I'd suggest reaching out to the manufacturer -- they might be able to help.

Charlotte

Wednesday 27th of November 2013

I just tried these in my old dishwasher, and they are SO GREAT! But as you say, expensive. Found your review whilst trying to find a good deal on them. ;) I never thought dishwasher detergent would make me this happy.

Jovan

Sunday 6th of October 2013

In mid-2010 all detergent manufacturers stopped using phosphates in their dishwasher detergents. While not exactly a conspiracy, it certainly wasn't a coincidence. On the plus side, it has spurred much competition and innovation -- though the latest and greatest cost more upon introduction.

Kristine Guenther

Wednesday 18th of September 2013

Hi Sarah,

Don't you find it at all suspicious that, for no apparent reason, your dishes stopped being clean and the dishwasher developed a haze? I used regular (cheap) dishwasher detergent for YEARS and never had a problem yet I have experienced the same thing (same dishwasher, same city water). I wonder if the companies began making their powders inferior so they no longer did the job, so they could come out with a 'better' (read-more expensive) product to do the job? This keeps them from having to raise the price on their existing products, and makes customers happy as they think they've discovered a solution, never suspecting the company might actually be behind the problem in the first place. I know that might sound a little 'conspiracy theory' (read crazy). But it's not outside the realm of possibility. Tobacco companies have been accused of adding ingredients that make cigarettes addictive. Even food companies have been asked to eliminate their use of certain ingredients that are known to make foods taste better. Some companies use 'right sizing' to increase their profits, so why not this tactic?

Sarah W. Caron

Wednesday 18th of September 2013

You know, it's funny you should say that. I did think it was weird -- why then? What had changed? I couldn't necessarily pin it on the detergent though -- we have well water with lots of sediment. It could equally be the filters we use for our well having changed too. One interesting thing I did find though in researching is that the haze I experienced was a widespread problem -- so who knows? You could be onto something.