I am the type of consumer that marketing types dream about. If something is a new item, an older item available in a new scent, or is changed in some way/shape/form, then I want to buy it. It doesn't even matter if I've tried the product before and didn't like it. It doesn't matter if I don't need the item. If it's labeled as "new", "improved", "new scent" etc, then I want it.

I tried the Cascade 2-in-1 Action Packs a couple of years ago when they first came out and was unimpressed. I pretty much forgot about them until a recent trip to the grocery store. I needed to buy dishwasher detergent and noticed that these little cubes were available in a new scent: cinnamon apple. SOLD! Nevermind the fact that I already tried them and concluded that they were nothing special. Nevermind the fact that they are rather expensive. Nevermind the fact that I don't even like cinnamon apple scents. I was determined to try them out.

About These Little Cleaning Cubes
The Cascade 2-in-1 Action Packs are pre-measured little cubes that contain two types of detergent: powdered Cascade and a teaspoon-ish amount of Dawn liquid. The powder cleans dishes as normal while the Dawn liquid is supposed to assist in cutting grease. Each cube contains two little "packets" of detergent that are surrounded and held together by a plastic-feeling substance that quickly dissolves when it comes into contact with water.

To use these packs, you just place one in the detergent cup of your dishwasher. You don't have to scoop, squirt, or measure anything. It's the ultimate in dishwashing convenience--not only does the machine do the washing but Cascade even measures everything out for you. It's the ultimate lazy-American product!

It's very important that your hands are completely dry when you handle this product. Hands that are even just slightly damp will cause the exterior surface to start dissolving which means that these cubes will stick to your hands and make a mess.

Cost and Availability
I purchased 2 bags (each containing 30 Action Packs)for $7 at the grocery store. You can also find Cascade products in discount retailers (like Target, Walmart, KMart) and in wholesale clubs.

My Experience
First of all, I need to state that I have a fossil of a dishwasher. My "in-laws" bought it for us for $5 at a garage sale several years ago. It's your basic, bare-bones dishwasher that was installed in someone's newly-built house. There was nothing wrong with it when they got rid of it but it was several years old and, again, an inexpensive and simple model. It doesn't have any special settings like "heavy duty" nor is it extremely powerful... which means that I do have to rinse just about everything that goes into the machine.

The bag states "no need to pre-wash!" in bold letters. Against my better judgement I loaded the dishes into the dishwasher without rinsing them. The glasses and plates still had bits of food stuck to them after being cleaned with a Cascade 2-in-1 Action Pack. After that mess I resumed pre-rinsing all dishes before washing them in the machine with these cleaning cubes. Everything seemed to be clean but sediment would collect and dry on the bottoms of the upside-down glasses, mugs, and bowls which meant that I had to post-rinse them. Not cool. Eventually I became frustrated and started using TWO Cascade 2-in-1 Action Packs per load of dishes. Everything came out squeaky-clean then but I also was using up these pricey little cubes very quickly.

Overall Opinion
For my situation, these cubes are not practical. If I use 2 per load of dishes that means I get only 15 loads per bag. We usually do 2 loads of dishes each day (lots of cat, dog, and bird bowls to clean) which means that a bag of Cascade 2-in-1 Action Packs lasts me about a week. I can spend $5 on a bottle of Cascade Complete instead and get at least 3 weeks worth of dishwashing out of it.

Those who have newer, powerful machines might enjoy using this ultra-convenient product. Me? I still am unimpressed with Cascade 2-in-1 Action Packs. I will try to remember that in the future when I see them available in a new fragrance.



Recommended: No