Cascade Platinum Plus ActionPacs are known for their ability to deliver a powerful, all-in-one clean without the need for pre-rinsing. This exceptional performance is due to a carefully engineered formula that combines multiple ingredients, each with a specific function. By examining the key components, we can better understand how these dishwasher pods tackle grease, stains, and stuck-on food.
Key Cleaning Enzymes
Enzymes are a cornerstone of modern dish detergent formulas, and Cascade Platinum Plus utilizes two primary types to break down food residues.
- Amylase Enzyme: This enzyme is a biological catalyst designed to specifically target and break down starch-based food residues. Starches are found in foods like pasta, potatoes, and rice, and are notorious for sticking to dishes. Amylase effectively liquefies these residues, allowing them to be washed away easily during the dishwasher cycle.
- Subtilisin: A type of protease enzyme, subtilisin is responsible for breaking down protein-based soils, such as those from eggs, dairy, and meat. By breaking down proteins, subtilisin ensures that these stubborn food particles are fully dissolved and rinsed away, preventing them from redepositing on clean dishes.
Grease-Fighting Power of Surfactants
Beyond enzymes, the detergent's ability to combat greasy messes is a key feature, partly attributed to its inclusion of Dawn grease-fighting power. This is achieved through a combination of surfactants.
- Isotridecanol Ethoxylated: This nonionic surfactant is a powerful cleaning agent that helps boost the detergent’s ability to cut through and remove tough grease. It works by reducing the surface tension of water, allowing the formula to better penetrate and lift oil and grease from dishes.
- PEG/PPG/Propylheptyl Ether: Another nonionic surfactant, this ingredient further enhances the grease-fighting and cleaning capabilities of the detergent. It assists in emulsifying oil and other greasy soils, keeping them suspended in the wash water so they can be rinsed away completely.
Stain Removal and Whitening
The formula also includes components that specialize in stain removal and brightening dishes and glassware.
- Sodium Carbonate Peroxide: As an oxygen-based bleach, this ingredient is crucial for breaking down tough stains from substances like coffee, tea, and red wine. It works by releasing oxygen when mixed with water, which helps to whiten and brighten dishes. It's an effective and color-safe stain remover.
Water Softeners and Anti-Filming Agents
To ensure a spot-free finish, Cascade Platinum Plus uses ingredients that combat hard water.
- Copolymer of Acrylic and Sulphonic Acids: This is a key water-softening and anti-filming agent. It prevents minerals found in hard water, like calcium and magnesium, from leaving spots and film on your dishes and glassware. It also helps to keep food residues dispersed in the water, so they don't re-deposit on items.
- Trisodium Dicarboxymethyl Alaninate: This is a chelating agent, which works to bind and sequester hard water minerals. By neutralizing these minerals, it improves the overall performance of the detergent and helps to prevent scale build-up in the dishwasher.
Tablet Integrity and Other Components
Some ingredients serve a structural or non-cleaning purpose within the ActionPacs.
- Polyvinyl Alcohol Polymer: This is the water-soluble film that encases the detergent components, allowing for the convenient, pre-measured format. It dissolves quickly and completely in the wash cycle, releasing the cleaning agents.
- Fragrances and Colorants: These are included to provide a fresh scent and visual appeal to the product. The colors often help to differentiate between different product types or to indicate the different functional components within the pac.
Cascade Platinum vs. Cascade Platinum Plus: A Comparison
| Feature | Cascade Platinum | Cascade Platinum Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Grease Fighting | Features Dawn grease-fighting power. | Contains 2X the Dawn grease-fighting power of Cascade Complete. |
| Stuck-On Food | Contains powerful enzymes for breaking down food. | Features 2X the food scrubbing power of Cascade Complete. |
| Stain Removal | Offers excellent stain removal for everyday use. | More powerful for stain removal on tough, dried-on food. |
| Film & Spots | Formulated to prevent hard water spots and film. | Provides enhanced protection against hard water spots for gleaming results. |
| Overall Power | A strong everyday performer for most loads. | Designed for the toughest loads and messes, often described as 'New & Improved'. |
| Liquid Top | Standard size liquid top. | 40% larger liquid top for more concentrated cleaning power. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the ingredients in Cascade Platinum Plus are a synergistic blend of powerful enzymes, advanced surfactants, and anti-filming agents. Amylase and subtilisin work in tandem to dissolve food residues, while surfactants like Isotridecanol Ethoxylated and PEG/PPG/Propylheptyl Ether aggressively tackle grease. Sodium carbonate peroxide targets stains, and the anti-filming copolymer ensures a sparkling finish, free of hard water spots. All of these ingredients are conveniently contained within a dissolving polyvinyl alcohol film, making it a highly effective and easy-to-use dishwasher solution. The formula represents a concentrated effort to provide a comprehensive clean, saving consumers the time and water traditionally spent on pre-washing dishes. For more detailed information on specific ingredients and their safety, consumers can consult the Cascade ingredient transparency webpage.
Why is Cascade Platinum Plus different from other versions?
- The formula is specifically engineered for maximum power, featuring two times the Dawn grease-fighting and food-scrubbing power compared to Cascade Complete.
- Its composition is designed to remove visible and invisible food residues, providing a superior clean.
- The ActionPacs contain a 40% larger liquid top than Cascade Platinum ActionPacs, contributing to more concentrated cleaning action.
A list of key Cascade Platinum Plus ingredients
- Enzymes: Amylase Enzyme, Subtilisin
- Surfactants: Isotridecanol Ethoxylated, PEG/PPG/Propylheptyl Ether
- Bleach: Sodium Carbonate Peroxide
- Water Softeners: Copolymer of Acrylic and Sulphonic Acids, Trisodium Dicarboxymethyl Alaninate
- Solvent: Water, Dipropylene Glycol
- Carrier/Film: Polyvinyl Alcohol Polymer, Sodium Sulfate
- Fragrance/Color: Fragrances, Colorants
- Corrosion Inhibitors: Benzotriazole, Tolyltriazole (May vary by formulation)
How the ingredients combine for maximum cleaning
Cascade Platinum Plus ActionPacs are a multi-chamber product, meaning the different ingredients are compartmentalized within the pod until the wash cycle begins. The liquid chamber often contains concentrated surfactants and enzymes, while the powdered portion holds the bleach and water softeners. As the ActionPac dissolves, it releases these ingredients at different stages of the wash, optimizing their effectiveness against various types of food soil and stains. This strategic release helps the detergent to power through tough, dried-on food and grease for a virtually spot-free clean.
