[thecosmicfrog]

Especially if you use a small amount of detergent in the pre-wash compartment. Most people (at least in Europe) just use a single tablet in the main wash section. I've seen a massive improvement by putting a teaspoon amount of detergent in with the pre-wash. The ever-wonderful Technology Connections sent me down this path.[1]

Without detergent in the pre-wash compartment, only water is used to pre-soak the dishes.

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rBO8neWw04

[sidewndr46]

It works even better if you add trisodium phosphate to the compartment.

[thecosmicfrog]

I'm using the Miele dishwasher powder myself, mainly because it's the only one I could find at a reasonable price that wasn't tablets:

https://shop.miele.com.au/en/cleaning-and-accessories/miele-...