Dish detergent

Sort of food related.

You of course have noticed over the years how manufacturers of many products (food or otherwise) have been slowly shrinking the volume or quantity they provide in the "Standard" size containers to increase profit.

I have been using Dawn dish detergent for several decades because, when it first appeared on the market, it was an extra-concentrated detergent that had superior grease cutting power. In the last couple years, I have noticed that Dawn is now as watered down as any other detergent like Palmolive. The changes are subtle year by year, but the product no longer has the slow-pouring viscosity that I desire.

Anyone have a recommendation for a better, old-fashioned product?

I'm in the same market, Bernard. As, I've noticed that my detergents don't hold up through a full cycle of dish washing and a new sink load of suds needs to be redrawn to wash the greasy pots (sometimes twice). There just isn't any such thing as quality any more it seems!

[Jenise]

I'm three. Still use Dawn but was thinking it just isn't as powerful as it used to be. Yet everytime I try something else, it's worse. What to do? What to do?

I've given up hope. I just buy the cheapest.

Dawn has so many varieties now. I hear that Dawn Oxy is tough on grease and also can be used for getting spots out of clothes. Some people have used it for washing clothers, as well as dishes. I see all the different colors of Dawn in the store but have not taken the time to see what they are...I just grab the usual blue Dawn..
Well I just quickly researched this and here is what I found out about Dawn Oxy...is it in your area yet?

http://www.epinions.com/content_129916833412

[Jenise]

Didn't Dawn come out with a product called Ultra Dawn? Was/is that possibly the old product we remember? Wonder if they have a website....

[Jenise]

Checked their website. Apparently the Ultra IS the regular detergent now--2x more concentrated than other leading brands, they claim, but not neccessarily stronger than any of their other products. They do make, I see, a dyeless version, which I'll be looking for.

What a strategy. Over time, dilute your product until it is no different from competitors. Then come out with your old product, give it a new name, a fancier price, and tell people it is new and better. BS. It is old and more expensive.

We used to use Dawn. Now we buy either Dawn or Palmolive ("It softens your hands while you do the dishes - you're soaking in it!"), whichever is on sale.

I agree that the "dilute down and then re-introduce" strategy is BS.

I stick with Dawn. It is the only one I know that is safe with birds. I am owned by 2 parrots.

[Jenise]

I stick with Dawn. It is the only one I know that is safe with birds. I am owned by 2 parrots.

You probably know that Dawn was the disspersant and bird cleaner used during the Exxon oil disaster in Alaska's Prince William Sound.

I'm actually a fan of the Dawn Direct Foam since I'm not a "fill the sink with sudsy water" type of cleaner. Most everything goes into the dishwasher and the few things that don't, get a squirt of foam and a quick rinse with hot water.
I've only bought one bottle of the foam. It's reusable, so I buy concentrated Dawn or Palmolive (both of the new ones that are gentle on your hands) and add about a tablespoon of detergent to the pump bottle and fill it up the rest of the way with water. It works exactly the same as if I bought a new bottle of it.

Did something similiar with Downy's Wrinkle Releaser. Figured out I could get the same result with a tiny bit of fabric softener mixed with a full spray bottle of water. Especially works great in the desert since things dry so quickly here!

Anyone have a recommendation for a better, old-fashioned product?

Give the manufacturer a call - I think at a minimum you'll get some coupons for free dishwasher liquid.