Having a dishwasher is a godsend, but even a good dishwasher can still present problems. Depending on many factors such as water hardness, detergent used, age of dishwasher, etc., dishes may not look as clean and sparkly as you wish. One product that supposedly helps dishes look better is Cascade Crystal Clear Rinse Agent.

Product Facts and Figures:

Cascade Crystal Clear Rinse Agent is a bluish- colored rinse agent that does what it can to fight spots and film and add shine to dishes. It also claims to aid in the drying process. It is added directly to the rinse agent dispenser found in most dishwashers where it remains until it gets released during the rinse cycle.

Cascade Crystal Clear Rinse Agent is offered in original scent and is sold in several different bottle sizes, including 8.45 oz., 16 oz., 30.5 oz. It can be found in most larger retail grocers and is sold in many online stores. 

Final Thoughts:

Dishwashers are a standard appliance in most houses and they have saved many people much valuable time with their ability wash dishes automatically. Many could not live without their dishwasher and some consider it every bit as important as their electric range or refrigerator.

I am not quite as attached to my dishwasher as some people, but I agree that they are useful and do add some much needed convenience to an otherwise tedious cleaning task. However, dishwashers are known for one potential problem: They often leave spots or film on dishes. The actual dishwasher isn’t always at fault- sometimes the problem is the detergent or water supply- but regardless of what deserves the blame, spotty, film- coated dishes do present a small problem, as they are less appealing to the eye and, in some cases, make foods and beverages taste funny.

Manufacturers are fully aware of this problem and they have responded with products to fight spots and film. Jet Dry is the best known among them, but Cascade Crystal Clear Rinse Agent is another product to consider. It helps fight spots and film on dishes and also helps aid in the drying process. The product releases itself during the rinse cycle and, like other rinse agents, attempts to coat dishes in a sheet of fluid that spreads out the water, making spots and film less likely to form.

Spots and film are not a major problem for me, but they do occur from time to time and I have often relied on rinse agents to get the problem under control. Unfortunately, my success rate with these rinse agents as not been consistent and Cascade Crystal Clear Rinse Agent is no different. I can see some difference and I agree that glassware does look a little shinier than before. But the differences are only slight and if I didn’t already know that Cascade Crystal Clear Rinse Agent had been used, I wouldn’t be able to tell from the appearance of the dishes alone.

Another claim made by Cascade Crystal Clear Rinse Agent is that it helps dishes dry faster and this is yet another area where the results are sketchy at best. I can only tell a small difference and the difference is so slight that I am not even sure if Cascade Crystal Clear Rinse Agent deserves the credit or if the cause is something else entirely. I suppose the sheeting action of any rinse action could make a small difference because, by flattening out the water into a thin sheet, it makes sense that it should evaporate in faster time, but the difference is only slight.

Cascade Crystal Clear Rinse Agent sells for about $4 to $5 per small bottle. This may seem a little steep, but one must realize that very little rinse agent is used in the typical dispenser. The 8.45 oz. bottle is, in fact, good for about 80 loads of dishes so when the cost per bottle is divided by that many loads, the cost per load is only about five or six cents, which is a very economical price.

Overall, I find Cascade Crystal Clear Rinse Agent an acceptable product that may work for some but not for others. Those with a more serious spot or film problem might find it much better, but my experience is neutral and weighing all the pros and cons, it has just enough going for it to squeeze out a slight recommendation.



Be sure to click the links below to read reviews of other, related products:

Jet Dry Rinse Agent

Dawn Ultra Concentrated Apple Blossom Dishwashing Detergent

Clorox Lemon Scented Disinfecting Wipes

Lysol Disinfectant Spray Crisp Linen

Clorox Soft Scrub Cleanser with Bleach

Recommended: Yes