Best Dishwasher Rinse Aid in 2022

Dishwashers are a modern miracle, so to speak. They allow us to save time because we don’t have to wash dishes by hand anymore. Moreover, a common misconception is that dishwashers waste water.

You need things to get the best results with your dishwasher, and one of these is a rinse aid, which prevents water from sticking to your dishes, eliminating spots. A good rinse aid product will prevent water spots and streaks.

That said, finding good rinse aid for a reasonable price is easier said than done. This article reviews 10 of the top contenders for the best dishwasher rinse aid on the market.

Best Dishwasher Rinse Aid: Reviews

Cascade Power Dry Dishwasher Rinse Aid

This is one of the highest-rated and most popular rinse aids for dishwashers. You may be interested to know that this is the top-recommended brand for dishwashers in North America.

Review

This is perhaps one of the best products for quickly, efficiently, and adequately drying your dishes. It allows your dishes to dry without water spots. In addition, it will prevent water from clinging to your dishes during the rinse cycle.

It is impressive the fact this product performs 3 jobs. First, it prevents water spots from occurring. Then, it helps dry your dishes. And finally, it shines and polishes them. As a result, dishes look like they were hand polished after they come out of your machine.

Cascade Power Dry Dishwashing Rinse Aid works well with hard water. Even calcium and magnesium-rich hard water don’t stand a chance against this rinse aid.

It also features an easy pour app to prevent spills from occurring.

Pros

• No 1. recommended brand
• Prevents water spots
• Dries and shines
• Mess-free cap

Cons

• Not the most affordable

Seventh Generation Dishwasher Rinse Aid

If you are looking for a safe, nontoxic, and eco-friendly rinse aid, this might be it. Of course, it’s not the cheapest, but you can rest assured that you aren’t hurting the environment by using it.

Review

This dishwashing rinse aid helps fight water spots and film on your dishes. It dries your dishes and leaves them looking shiny and sparkling.

This product stands out because it is eco-friendly. It is 100% nontoxic and free of all volatile organic compounds. It also does not contain any dyes or fragrances, which many people appreciate.

This dishwashing rinse aid is made of plant-containing materials. It might not be the cheapest product on the market, but it gets the job done without harmful chemicals.

Pros

• Eco-friendly
• Nontoxic
• Free of dyes and fragrances
• Prevents filming and water spots
• Helps dry dishes

Cons

• Not the cheapest option

Ecover Naturally Derived Rinse Aid for Dishwashers

This is another rinse aid that will not harm the environment. Of course, it is on the expensive side,  but you can rest assured that you aren’t hurting the world around you.

Review

Ecover Naturally Derived Rinse Aid for Dishwashers is made of plant-based materials and mineral ingredients. It contains no harsh chemicals that can hurt the environment, no volatile organic compounds, and no dyes or fragrances.

That said, some people might appreciate that it does not have a scent; your dishes won’t have a chemical taste or smell after you wash them with this product. Moreover, this product is 100% biodegradable.

In terms of functionality, this product works exactly as advertised. It will prevent hard water and regular water spots from occurring on your dishes. Therefore, your dishes look sparkling and perfectly clean once a cycle is done.

Pros

• Nontoxic
• Biodegradable
• No dyes or fragrance
• Plant-based
• Efficient and effective

Cons

• Quite expensive

Finish Jet-Dry Rinse Aid

If you are looking for a rinse aid that is effective and affordable, this is a good option. This is another popular brand when it comes to dishwashing products.

Review

This product helps rinse away any leftover residue and food from your dishes. It will also wash away residue from your dishwashing detergent. In addition, this product will automatically release in the rinse cycle when properly used.

Finish Jet Dry Rinse Aid prevents spots and films from forming on your dishes. Its unique formula helps your dishes dry quickly. Moreover, it works just as well in hard water as it does in soft water.

The bottom line is that your dishes will end up looking shiny and sparkling after each cycle. It is also worth mentioning that you get two large bottles of this product for one fairly low price. In addition, this product is biodegradable and safe for septic systems.

Pros

• Biodegradable
• Cost-effective
• Dries dishes fast
• Results in shiny and sparkly dishes
• Works with hard water

Cons

Has a strong scent which some might not like

Rinse All / Commercial Industrial Grade Rinse Aid

Suppose you’re looking for an industrial-grade rinse aid for professional purposes. If so, this might be it. It comes in a very large bottle but is also cost-effective. If you have a commercial dishwasher, this is a product that you want to consider.

Review

This product provides a sheeting action, which eliminates water spots and streaks.

In addition, it helps your dishes dry quickly. This is one of the most effective commercial rinse aids. As a result, dishes always end up shining and sparkling.

This product works just as well in hard water as it does in soft water. Moreover, it works just as well in hot water as in cold water. So your dishes don’t have to be polished or shined after they come out of the dishwasher.

Pros

• Ideal for commercial use
• Works in hot and cold water
• Works in hard and soft water
• No streaks or smears
• Eliminates hard water spots

Cons

• Not eco-friendly

Earth Friendly Products Wave Jet Rinse Aid

This is another eco-friendly rinse aid that will not hurt the environment around you. One thing to be aware of is that this is a pack of 12  8-ounce bottles. It may be expensive overall, but not on a per-unit basis.

Review

One of the most significant benefits is that it is eco-friendly and doesn’t contain ammonia, chlorine, phosphates, GMOs, petrochemicals, or formaldehyde. It also doesn’t have any volatile organic compounds. Moreover, it is pH balanced for the best results. This product is 100% biodegradable and safe for septic tanks.

This product is designed to eliminate spots and streaks effectively. This means that your glasses and dishware come out of the machine looking shined. It also helps eliminate any leftover dishwashing detergent residue that makes dishes look cloudy.

Pros

• Affordable
• Large quantity
• Stops streaks and water stops
• Removes dishwashing detergent residue
• Biodegradable
• Nontoxic

Cons

• Odd smell

Cascade Platinum Aid Dishwasher Rinse Agent

This is another highly recommended dishwasher brand. It comes at a great price, and it certainly gets the job done.

Review

This product will perform several jobs at once. First and foremost, it helps prevent water from adhering to your dishes so they won’t have any streaks or water spots on them.

Moreover, this rinse aid can remove any leftover food and dishwasher detergent residue. A unique formulation helps strengthen and protect your glass dishware and prevents your glasses from permanently clouding and etching.

Moreover, Cascade Platinum has advanced drying power, so your dishes will be perfectly dry and ready to use again at the end of each cycle. Your dishes will look sparkling after each wash. It is also worth noting that this product is relatively cost-effective.

Pros

• Leaves dishes sparkly
• Removes residue
• Prevents water spots and streaks
• Helps dishes dry fast
• Cost-effective

Cons

• Not overly eco-friendly

Finish Jet Dry ULTRA Rinse Aid

This rinse aid is another affordable option from Finish, another famous brand in the dishwashing world.

Review

If you are looking for a very effective anti-spotting agent,  this could be it. This Ultra version is the upgraded version of the regular Finish Jet Dry product. This means it has even more anti-spotting power than the original version. As a result, it excels at preventing water spots and streaks from occurring.

It can wash away leftover food, as well as leftover detergent residue. Moreover, this is one of the best products for drying your dishes quickly.

However, be aware that it has a bit of a scent, although most people will probably find it enjoyable.

Pros

• Cost-effective
• Excellent at preventing water spots
• Results in shiny dishes
• Dries dishes very quickly
• Can remove residue

Cons

• Some people may not like the scent

Ecos WaveJet Rinse Aid

Here we have yet another eco-friendly rinse aid product. What is surprising is that a product like this is as cost-effective as it is; this is one of the more affordable products on our list.

Review

This product stands out because it is environmentally friendly. For one, the ingredients are plant-based, and only sustainable plants are used to produce this product.

This nontoxic formula contains no dyes or synthetic perfumes and formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds. It is 100% eco-friendly and septic safe. It also features a neutral pH level.

This product excels at rinsing away a variety of residue and minerals contained in your wash water. It is therefore ideal for use with hard and soft water alike.

It will wash away residue and prevent water spots from occurring. It also helps your dishes dry very quickly. The result is that your dishes will be shiny and sparkling after each cycle.

Pros

• Cost-effective
• Eco-friendly
• Fragrance and dye-free
• Biodegradable
• Effective

Cons

• Bit of an odd smell

Brillo Basics Dishwasher Rinse Aid

This Brillo Rinse Aid is a cost-effective product that works just as well as the most expensive products.

Review

This product can be used for all types of materials – it works just as well on porcelain as it does on glass and plastic, and it works well in hard water, just as in soft water.

This might be a cost-effective rinse aid, but it washes away old residue, prevents water spots from occurring, and results in shining dishes every time.

Pros

• Affordable
• Prevents water spots
• Dries dishes
• No streaks

Cons

• Not eco-friendly

Buyer’s Guide

Before making a final decision, there are a few things to consider when choosing a dishwasher rinse aid.

Overall Performance

The No. 1 thing to look for is how well the product works. For example, a good rinse aid for a dishwasher should do several things.

First and foremost, good rinse aid should produce so-called sheeting. This means that water will bead up and roll off of your dishes as opposed to sticking to them. This helps prevent water spots from occurring on your dishes.

Moreover, you should also look for a product that works well, even with hard water. Of course, some only work with soft water, but the good ones will work with both.

A good rinse aid should also be able to rinse away old food residue and dishwasher detergent residue.

In addition, good rinse aid should dry your dishes quickly. The end result should be shiny and sparkling dishes that look like they have been hand-polished.

Ingredients and Eco-Friendliness

Another essential feature to look for is how eco-friendly it is. Unfortunately, many products aren’t eco-friendly in the least, containing harsh chemicals that are not good for you or the environment.

However, if you want to be as safe and eco-friendly as possible, look for a product made out of natural plants and minerals. You don’t want harsh chemicals in your rinse aid, such as formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds, or other such things.

Perhaps the most important thing to look for is that the product is biodegradable, and if you have a septic system, the product should be septic safe.

Fragrances

Fragrances in a product are a matter of personal preference. Some people like it when their rinse aid has a fragrance it leaves behind on the dishes, whereas others do not. Generally speaking, you are probably best off getting a fragrance- and dye-free rinse aid.

Cost and Value

You always look at the cost when you buy something. There are many options, and they certainly don’t cost the same. You should always see how much the product costs per 100 milliliters.

FAQ

What Happens If I Don’t Use a Rinse Aid?

If you don’t use a rinse aid, your dishes will still dry, although they may have water spots on them. If you don’t use a rinse aid for a prolonged period, glasses may even start to become scratched or etched.

What Can I Use Instead of Rinse Aid?

One of the most effective rinse aid replacements is simple white vinegar. It won’t work quite as well as a commercial rinse aid, but it still works. Also, it’s much more cost-effective.

Do You Need Rinse Aid With Jet Dry Powerball?

Technically speaking, you do not need rinse aid when you are using this product. That said, rinse aid will still produce a better result.

Why Are My Glasses Dirty After the Dishwasher?

The biggest culprit is hard water, assuming your dishwasher is correctly working. But unfortunately, hard water doesn’t rinse off as well, which is where rinse aid comes into play.

Conclusion

If you are looking for the best dishwasher rinse aid, we recommend checking out Cascade Power Dry Dishwasher Rinse Aid. That said, the other nine products reviewed are ideal in their own ways.