Countless washing detergents out there claim to do wild and wonderful things. Some can cut through a McDonald’s fryer amount of grease, and some claim to be stronger than Thor himself.
So what do you believe? Well, we have saved you time and money and tried two of the top contenders on the market, Cascade Platinum and Finish Quantum.
Cascade and Finish are two award-winning dishwasher detergents with impressive claims and reviews. They dominate the market with the wide variety of products they offer and yield impressive results.
Cascade Platinum and Finish Quantum dishwashing tablets provide excellent results for sticky plates, smudgy glassware, burnt pans and greasy cutlery. Ultimately, if you’re in the store with the two products in hand, you can’t go wrong with either.
But, if you can, buy whichever is on sale, as both products are relatively expensive. However, Cascade Platinum has a slight edge as it rarely leaves streaks or watermarks on glassware.
In comparison, users have criticized Finish for its performance on glassware.
There may be affiliate links in this article. You can read more about this in my disclosure.
Do You Have Hard or Soft Water?
Before jumping into buying the detergent that has the best reviews, you need to consider some factors. Households with hard water can lead to limescale build-up in the dishwasher and leave eye-catching water spots on your glassware.
You can usually find out what type of water you have online. It’s helpful information and might explain why the inside of your kettle or the face of your shower head is so white and nasty looking.
Limescale is manageable, but you may have to add a few extra steps to your weekly cleaning routine to keep it at bay.
Where to Buy Cascade Platinum and Finish Quantum
Most supermarket chains will stock both brands. Keep an eye out for deals, as these big brands often offer discounts but don’t usually last long.
But if you want to read the specifications or buy them online, check out the links below on Amazon.
[amazon box=”B01NGTV4J5,B07CVWG5L8″ grid=”2″]What are Cascade Platinum Dishwasher Pods?
Cascade is a reputable brand offering a wide range of dishwashing products. The Platinum dishwasher pods are a newer offering and have been received well by critics and viewers alike.
The Cascade Pods are compact, water-soluble detergent packs designed to dissolve, thus releasing their cleaning agents during a wash cycle. They are easy to use and can simply be placed inside the washing machine without measuring and left to do the work.
The little pods contain three liquids: a degreaser, water softener and rinse aid. These three elements combine with the powder detergent to tackle any mess made.
The tiny capsules claim to eradicate the need for soaking dishes before a wash cycle, even tackling grime after the dish has been left dirty for up to 24 hours. As a result, the pods were one of the bestselling and top-rated dishwashing detergents in 2022.
What are Finish Quantum Tablets?
Finish Quantum tablets are a competitor to the Cascade Platinum, at a comparable price for the same job being done. The tablets contain three chambers, each with a distinct task.
Scrub, degrease and shine. Each section dissolves throughout the cleaning process to leave your dishes squeaky clean.
The scrubbing element is a powder; its abrasion cleans the burnt and stubborn bits of food left on cookware and crockery. The gel component is then activated to degrease the dishes.
Finally, the liquid red centre or ‘powerball’ is released to add shine and finish to your forks, knives, glassware and pans. This three-pronged attack is why Finish Quantum is a best seller in 2022.
Reasons to Buy Cascade Platinum Capsules
The Cascade Platinum pods have been tested and reviewed on various claims. The top 3 reasons to buy are:
- It tackles grease well.
- Phosphate-free.
- It’s safe for septic tanks.
- Ease of use.
The capsules have been proven to excel at grease removal, removing even stubborn or old food particles from cookware. In addition, dishes were left clean and mark-free, with little to no detergent residue left.
Their performance came out on top in many tests and is the number 1 choice for many users.
The cascade platinum pods contain safe, phosphate-free cleaning agents that work well with both hard and soft water whilst being safe to drain into septic tanks. Additionally, the outer coating of the tablet dissolves away, so no unwrapping is required, saving your skin from unnecessary contact with the cleaning agents and saving you time.
Reasons Not to Buy Cascade Platinum pods:
- Price.
- The child factor.
The pods are expensive compared to their non-name brand competitors. However, their proficiency at cleaning may save you extra water as it removes the need for pre-washing cycles or soaking.
But whether they’re worth the price is debatable.
The little capsules are pretty aesthetically pleasing for better and for worse. But unfortunately, their colorful, swirly appearance means children might mistake them for candy.
And because they don’t require unwrapping, they can be popped and burst quickly and easily before you even notice your kid was rummaging around your cupboard. Of course, this factor is quickly diminished by storing your capsules somewhere out of reach of children so that I wouldn’t worry too much.
Reasons to Buy Finish Quantum Tablets
In product testing, the only comparable product that rivalled the Cascade Platinum was the Finish Quantum. The dissolvable tablets pack a punch with their powder and liquid combination.
- Cleaning power.
- Ease of use.
- Phosphate-free.
- Septic tank safe.
The Finish Quantum contains a powerful degreaser which cuts through grime effectively. The pods have been found to leave dishes clean and shiny with minimal pre-soaking or pre-washing.
The Finish brand has marketed itself as being concerned with dishwasher care and maintenance, which users have reported being true of their dishwashers. In addition, the little pods contain far more additives than cascade pods, such as rinse airs and dishwasher cleaners, making it the better choice for machine maintenance.
Similarly to Cascade, all Finish detergents are phosphate-free and therefore safe to use if you have a septic tank.
Reasons Not to Buy Finish Quantum
- Residue.
- Smell.
The Finish Quantum tablets are packed full of lovely chemicals to attack dirt and grime, which is excellent for cleaning. However, they have been reported to leave behind streaks and visible residue on glassware.
Cleaning glassware is one of the trickier tasks of a detergent, as it’s very unforgiving. And sadly, the Finish Quantum doesn’t consistently deliver.
The little tablets have also been reported to have a powerful smell, another drawback of the chemical-packed pod. Again, this may not be a problem for you, but if you or someone in your household is sensitive to strong fragrances, these pods might not be the right choice for you.
[amazon box=”B01NGTV4J5,B07CVWG5L8″ grid=”2″]Price Comparison between Cascade Platinum and Finish Quantum
Finish and Cascade market their products at comparable prices, but it can be confusing due to the brand’s volume of products. Cascade and Finish sell various gels, tablets, actionpacs, degreasers and powders.
But the prices are similar when you look at the direct comparison of the Finish Quantum tablets and the Cascade Platinum pacs. However, both tend to me on deals and promotions in stores, where the most significant price difference can be seen, and a bargain can be had.
Does Cascade or Finish Contain Bleach?
It’s easy to get lost when examining the ingredients list of either of these products. It can get confusing with names you don’t recognise and lists so long you give up reading halfway through.
Both Cascade and Finish products use bleach (sodium hypochlorite) in many of their products. It is usually the gel component that contains bleach, s they tackle stains such as those on white plates and dishes.
If you’re looking to go bleach-free, some products will advertise this on their label—for example, Cascade Free & Clear. Alternatively, you will need to read the labels.
Keep an eye out for sodium hypochlorite, as this is the bleach component.
To Summarize
Both Cascade Platinum and Finish Quantum provide excellent results. They are the market leaders for a reason.
Each dishwasher is different, and the performance of either detergent will change due to the softness or hardness of your water. Give both a go at home, as both will not disappoint.
Their performance and price are so comparable that you won’t be wasting your money. The Cascade Platinum capsules are slightly higher on our list due to their performance on glassware, but only just.
We suggest you test both and make your conclusions.