Leaves baked soap scum on utensils

While the link is good advice, the reason phosphates have been removed is because of the negative impact phosphates caused to fish and the environment as a whole.

High phosphate concentrations in the water due to dish washers and washing machines is killing fish in streams, rivers and lakes. The fish can't get any oxygen from the water and are suffocating to death.

The phosphates are also causing acid rain which is killing plants and leaching the soil, ruining forests and farm land.

I have found that the advice of adding a small amount of vinegar works just as well, plus it doesn't harm our environment. While the link is good advice, the reason phosphates have been removed is because of the negative impact phosphates caused to fish and the environment as a whole. High phosphate concentrations in the water due to dish washers and washing machines is killing fish in streams, rivers and lakes. The fish can't get any oxygen from the water and are suffocating to death. The phosphates are also causing acid rain which is killing plants and leaching the soil, ruining forests and farm land. I have found that the advice of adding a small amount of vinegar works just as well, plus it doesn't harm our environment.