The Virtual Repairman has tried lots of different brands during the course of his career, and has found certain ones to be superior in not only washability, but had less residual effects on the equipment. Here is what I consider the best:
Tide brands detergents from Procter & Gamble are truly impressive.
They have a wide product line including unscented detergents for hyper-sensitive individuals.
For owners of Neptune and other front-load washers, there is Tide HE brand. It is specially formulated not to oversuds in the washer, as regular detergent will.
Can't find Tide H-E? Call Proctor & Gamble at 1-800-879-8433.
Dishwasher detergents come in all forms, but I recommend Cascade Plus powder. It has built-in softening and rinse agents which out-perform other brands magnificently, even in hard water.
