If you have a dishwasher and hard water, you know the drill:

Do the dishes with detergent and Finish Glass Magic until they start coming out feeling fuzzy from left-behind mineral and detergent residue, then run some Dishwasher Magic through an empty cycle. Repeat, repeat, repeat.

After buying a canister of Lemi Shine at Target, I'm ready to swear off Magic. I was so impressed, I ordered a case of Lemi Shine and their soapless rinse agent, so all I need to finish the job is whatever dishwasher detergent is the best buy at the local market (house brand or national brand).

The label gives instructions for a pre-cleaning treatment: Unload the dishwasher, put Lemi Shine into the detergent dispenser, pause the main wash about 5 minutes in (usually by cracking open the door) and come back 4 to 8 hours later. Close the door, allow the cycle to complete and, WOW, what a difference. Scale is gone from the heating element, plugged sprayer holes are clear and you can't miss that lemony fresh fragrance.

Unlike Finish Glass Magic, Lemi Shine goes in the detergent dispenser and your dishwasher detergent works in the pre-wash. I dump 1/4 cup of detergent powder into the bottom of the dishwasher and put 1/8 cup of Lemi Shine and 1/8 cup of detergent in the detergent dispenser. For really dirty loads or to remove film from glasses and dishes that were in storage, I put detergent in the main wash dispenser and after the main wash drains, I cancel the cycle and start over with the Lemi Shine and detergent mix in the dispenser. It uses an extra four gallons of water but still less than the pots 'n' pans cycle.

It's an easy routine to get used to and the rewards are crystal clear.

Recommended: Yes