Technical Service Bulletins; Miele Policy On Dishwasher Detergent Requirements; Dishwasher Detergents And Phosphates - Miele G 4205 Technical Information

G 5xxx
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Technical Service Bulletins

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Miele Policy on Dishwasher Detergent Requirements

In 2005, we revised our company stance on the use of detergents in our
dishwashers. Up until then we suggested powder detergents. However, with
the generation of dishwashers from 2005 and continuing today, we suggest
that powders, tablets, gels, and gelpacs can be used effectively in all of
our dishwashers. (In fact, in support of this effort, Miele is now selling our
own brand of tablets that can be found at our online store.)
Effective immediately, please begin offering the updated information for
all detergent inquiries. We should no longer be advising our clients, our
dealers, our service companies, or our staff that our dishwashers are "powder
only."
2

Dishwasher Detergents and Phosphates

Dishwasher detergents no longer contain phosphates
In March, 2006, Washington State became the first state in the nation to ban
phosphates from dishwasher detergents. By 2010, 15 other states adopted
this policy and enacted similar bans. Faced with this growing dilemma, the
major dishwasher detergent manufacturers agreed to stop producing
phosphate-laden detergents by July, 2010. The quantity of the active
ingredient, STPP, sodium tripolyphosphate, was reduced from nearly 35% by
weight down to 0.5% by weight.
Why use phosphates?
As a detergent additive, STPP is really the key ingredient. Phosphates help
remove food and grease, keep insoluble dirt in suspension, maintain proper
pH, reduce the risk of corrosion, and keep food and other particles from
depositing on surfaces inside the dishwasher. Along with doing the lion's
share of the work, STPP is also a cost-effective additive in detergents.
Why ban phosphates?
Phosphorus is one of many elements essential to life. When phosphorus gets
into fresh water, it acts like a fertilizer for algae. When the bumper crop of
algae later dies, its decomposition consumes oxygen in the water. Reduced
levels of dissolved oxygen in water are harmful to fish. Excess levels of
phosphorus can lead to widespread fish kills. In reality, the majority of
phosphorus pollution can be attributed to heavy industry, mining operations,
fertilizer and animal waste runoff from agriculture, and to a much lesser
extent, effluent from sewage treatment plants containing trace amounts from
– you guessed it – dishwasher detergents.
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Technical Information