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Rinse aid and dishwasher stuff

  • 13-06-2014 10:36AM
    #1
    Day Lewin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,000 ✭✭✭


    What IS rinse-aid? does anyone know what it actually does??

    (And I don't mean, "It aids rinsing", smart-alec!)

    Why isn't there rinse-aid for ordinary washing-up liquid? is it needed?
    I guessed it might be vinegar to neutralise the soapiness...maybe vinegar would work?
    But you'd think that the machine itself would be capable of ordinary rinsing anyway, yes? Dishwasher detergent is pretty strong stuff, according to the packets: it certainly needs to be thoroughly rinsed away with ordinary common hot water. So why an extra chemical?

    Opinions welcome!


Comments

  • #2
    Alun
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 21,548 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    I think it's what is called a 'wetting agent'. All this means is that it helps the water drops, which would otherwise remain on glasses etc., to drip off and not leave marks when they dry.


  • #3
    Day Lewin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,000 ✭✭✭Day Lewin


    Thank you, Alun. But I'm puzzled: isn't soap itself a wetting agent?

    and plain water dries on dishes all the time, and it doesn't leave marks...

    Do we really need rinse-aid at all?


  • #4
    Alun
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 21,548 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    Maybe there's some small amount of washing powder residue or residual hardness in the rinsing water which would leave marks? Also, dishwasher powder or tablets are not soap based.


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