On one of these occasions, the companies agreed to raise prices by between 5 and 8 per cent for their dishwasher detergent brands and for their all-purpose cleaners.

It becomes less soluble in the presence of silicates in the water (added as anti-metal-corrosion agents in the dishwasher detergent).

Other home recipes exist, including the application of white vinegar with hot water, or a mixture containing sudsy ammonia, alcohol and liquid dishwasher detergent.

Small quantities of benzotriazole and tolyltriazole, which may be carcinogenic, were discovered in many dishwasher detergents.

Some dishwasher detergents are marketed for use in hard water areas for dishwashers which do not have a built-in water softener (and therefore do not use any dishwasher salt).