Norwex Dishwasher Products: Detergent, Rinse Aid & How I Use Them

If there is one appliance in my kitchen that earns its keep, it is probably my dishwasher. ? With four boys, years of family meals, entertaining, and just LIFE, I have run more loads of dishes than I could ever begin to count. And for years, like most people, I didn’t give a whole lot of thought to the dishwasher soap I was putting into the dishwasher. You buy dishwasher detergent, put it in the little compartment, shut the door and hope everything comes out clean. Right?

But one of the things I’ve loved about Norwex over the years is learning that there are often simpler ways to clean—and that we don’t necessarily need a cabinet full of conventional cleaners to get the job done. And I’ve also learned that typical dishwasher detergent can be one of the more unhealthy products in the average home. So is it worth looking at a change? I think so. But you know what else? I’m not going to tell you about some uber-clean formula that doesn’t work. Effectiveness is one of my TRUE Review™ requirements!

So if you’re wondering about the Norwex dishwasher products, what the difference is between UltraZyme Dishwasher Powder and Rinse Aid Plus, whether you actually need both, and how I use them in my own home, let me walk you through it.

I’ve been using and teaching Norwex for more than 17 years, and my goal isn’t to convince you that you need every product Norwex makes. I want to help you understand what each product does so you can decide what actually makes sense in YOUR kitchen.

What Does Norwex Make for the Dishwasher?

There are really two products we’re talking about here: UltraZyme™ Dishwasher Powder is the actual dishwasher detergent. This is what does the cleaning.

Rinse Aid Plus is exactly what the name suggests—a rinse aid. Its job is to help prevent water spots on your dishes and glassware.

They work together, but they don’t do the same thing.

And that distinction matters because I sometimes hear people ask, “If I’m using UltraZyme, do I also have to use the Rinse Aid?”

No. UltraZyme is your detergent. Rinse Aid Plus is an additional product you can use if you want help with spotting and the final rinse.

Let’s look at each one.

Norwex UltraZyme Dishwasher Powder: What Is It?

UltraZyme is Norwex’s enzyme-based powdered dishwasher detergent.

The enzymes are one of the things that make this product particularly interesting to me. Instead of thinking only in terms of using a harsh chemical to attack a mess, enzymes help break down the food soils we’re actually trying to remove.

Norwex currently says UltraZyme helps break down tough food soils and baked-on food without pre-soaking, and that one package can clean up to 45 loads. Norwex also says it helps reduce odors and remove buildup inside the dishwasher itself.

That is one of the reasons I talk so much about enzyme cleaning in my newer Norwex videos. It’s a completely different category of cleaning than microfiber and water, but it fits beautifully into the same idea: use the right tool for the job instead of automatically reaching for more chemicals.

Sonya’s Complete Norwex Kitchen Cleaning Guide

How Do the Enzymes in UltraZyme Actually Work?

This is one of the things I find so fascinating about enzyme cleaning. Enzymes aren’t all doing the exact same job. Different enzymes are designed to target different types of food residue—things like proteins, starches and fats—and help break those soils into smaller pieces so they can be washed away.

Think about what ends up on our dishes: dried egg, oatmeal, pasta sauce, grease, cheese, rice… we’re asking one little scoop of dishwasher detergent to tackle a LOT of different kinds of messes. ?

That’s why the enzyme piece matters. Instead of simply thinking, “I need something STRONGER,” we’re using cleaning chemistry that’s much more targeted to the type of soil we’re trying to remove.

And while we’re talking about getting the detergent to do its job, the way you load your dishwasher matters too. The detergent can’t do its job nearly as well if dishes are nested together, spray arms are blocked or water can’t adequately reach the dirty surfaces. Sometimes better dishwasher results aren’t about adding more detergent at all—they’re about giving the detergent and the dishwasher a better opportunity to work.

Have You Ever Thought About What Goes Down the Drain?

For years, I thought about dishwasher detergent almost entirely in terms of one question: Did my dishes come out clean?

But eventually I started asking another question: What happens to all of this AFTER it goes down my drain?

That’s part of the bigger reason ingredients matter to me. Cleaning products don’t simply vanish when the cycle ends. The ingredients we send down the drain enter our wastewater stream, which is one reason I’ve become much more interested in using effective products without ingredients that aren’t necessary to get the job done.

UltraZyme is formulated without phosphates, chlorine or fillers, according to Norwex.

Phosphates are actually an interesting part of dishwasher-detergent history. They were once widely used because they helped detergents perform well, especially in hard water. But excess phosphorus entering waterways can contribute to nutrient pollution and excessive algae growth—a process called eutrophication.

I don’t share that to make you afraid of your dishwasher detergent. You know that’s not how I like to teach. ? I share it because I think the more we understand about the products we use every day, the better choices we can make for our own homes.

For me, it’s not about finding the scariest ingredient list on the internet. It’s about asking, “Can I get the results I want with a product that uses thoughtful ingredients and leaves out things I don’t need?”

Want to Geek Out on the Science a Little More? ?

Norwex did a deeper dive into the science behind UltraZyme—including enzymes, dishwasher performance and the environmental considerations behind detergent formulation. If you’re like me and want to know WHY something works instead of simply being told that it works, this is worth a listen.

UltraZyme Is EWG Verified®

This is also worth mentioning because I know ingredients matter to many of the people who follow me.

In 2025, Norwex announced that UltraZyme Dishwasher Powder had earned EWG Verified® status.

That doesn’t mean I automatically give every product an A+ simply because it has a certification—I still look at how a product works, how useful it is in real life, what it costs and whether I would personally buy it again.

But I do think independent standards and certifications are useful information to have when we’re deciding what products we want to bring into our homes.

How Do You Use Norwex UltraZyme?

This part is wonderfully uncomplicated. ?

UltraZyme goes into the detergent compartment of your dishwasher just as your regular dishwasher detergent would. It is specifically formulated for automatic dishwashers—not for hand-washing dishes.

Because it is concentrated, this is one of those products where more is not necessarily better. I recommend following the current directions on the package rather than assuming that filling the entire detergent cup will somehow get your dishes cleaner.

Your dishwasher, water hardness and the kind of mess you’re washing can all make a difference in the results you get.

Because it is very concentrated, this is one of those products where more is not necessarily better. Follow the current directions on the package rather than assuming that filling the entire detergent cup will somehow get your dishes cleaner. ? Many of my team members and customers report that they use a half-scoop and get amazing results. For fun, remember to write the DATE you open the canister. I think you’ll be blown away by how long it can last you!

Do I Have to Pre-Rinse My Dishes?

This is probably one of the first things people want to know.

Norwex specifically positions UltraZyme as being able to break down tough food soils without pre-soaking. In real life, though, I’m still a fan of using common sense. ?

I’m going to scrape large chunks of food off before loading my dishwasher. I’m not trying to make my dishwasher digest half of last night’s lasagna. But there is a difference between scraping your dishes and practically washing your dishes before putting them into the dishwasher. The whole point of having a dishwasher is that I don’t want to wash everything twice!

And because UltraZyme uses enzymes designed to work on food soils, I want to give the detergent an opportunity to actually do its job.

What Is Norwex Rinse Aid Plus?

Rinse Aid Plus is the second half of the Norwex dishwasher conversation.

This isn’t another detergent. It is designed to be used in the rinse-aid compartment of your dishwasher to help prevent water spots on dishes.

If you’ve ever pulled out a glass that was technically clean but covered in cloudy-looking water spots, you understand exactly why rinse aids exist.

Whether you need one can depend quite a bit on your water and your dishwasher. Some people notice a huge difference with a rinse aid; others may not feel like they need it at all.

That’s why I don’t automatically tell everyone, “You HAVE to buy both.”

I want you to solve the problem you actually have.

Do I Need UltraZyme AND Rinse Aid Plus?

Think about it this way:

UltraZyme = cleans the dishes.

Rinse Aid Plus = helps with the finish, especially water spotting.

If your dishes are coming out beautifully with UltraZyme alone, wonderful. You may decide that’s all you need.

If they’re clean but your glasses are coming out spotted, that’s when I would look at adding Rinse Aid Plus.

And if your dishes aren’t getting clean in the first place, I wouldn’t assume that rinse aid is going to solve that problem. I’d look at the detergent amount, how the dishwasher is loaded, whether the spray arms are blocked, your water temperature, your water hardness and whether the dishwasher itself needs some attention.

That brings me to something people sometimes forget…

Your Dishwasher Needs Cleaning, Too

Yes. The machine whose entire JOB is cleaning things occasionally needs to be cleaned. Isn’t adulthood fun? ?

Food particles, grease and mineral buildup can accumulate in filters, spray arms and other parts of a dishwasher over time. If you’ve noticed that your dishwasher doesn’t seem to clean the way it used to, I would check the dishwasher manufacturer’s cleaning and maintenance instructions before automatically blaming your detergent.

Clean the filter if your machine has a removable one. Check the spray arms. Look for buildup. And if you have hard water, pay particular attention to mineral deposits.

Interestingly, Norwex also says UltraZyme itself helps reduce odors and remove buildup inside the dishwasher as you use it.

Still, detergent isn’t a substitute for maintaining the appliance according to the manufacturer’s directions.

What If My Dishes Are Coming Out Cloudy or Spotted?

Before changing products completely, I would do a little detective work.

If the dishes are clean but spotted, I’d try Rinse Aid Plus.

If you’re seeing food left behind, check your loading, make sure you’re not blocking the spray arms, check the filter and make sure you’re using the correct amount of UltraZyme.

If you’re seeing white or cloudy mineral residue, hard water may be part of the equation.

And don’t forget the dishwasher itself. Sometimes the problem isn’t the detergent at all.

This is one of those areas where I don’t love blanket advice because two families can use the exact same dishwasher product and get different results simply because their water is different.

Things That Make You Go Hmmm… The Norwex Magnet Ball ?

And speaking of hard water… this brings me to one of the strangest little Norwex products in my kitchen. ? There is the Norwex Magnet Ball—one of those products that, when I first show it to someone, usually gets a look that says, “Okay, Sonya… what exactly are we doing here?” ?

It’s a reusable magnetic ball designed to go right inside your dishwasher (and it can also be used in the washing machine). This is definitely one of those quirky little Norwex products that deserves its own conversation because the idea sounds almost too simple: put a magnet in the dishwasher and it’s supposed to help with hard-water minerals? Hmmm…

I’ve been around Norwex long enough to know that I don’t want to tell you something works simply because it sounds cool—or because Norwex sells it. So rather than turning this into a chemistry lesson in the middle of our dishwasher discussion, I’m going to put the Magnet Ball firmly in my “Things That Make You Go Hmmm…” category. ? I’ll explain what Norwex says it does, what I’ve personally noticed using it, and where I think it may—or may not—make sense in a separate review.

What About Pods and Conventional Dishwasher Detergents?

For me, this is where the conversation gets bigger than simply asking, “Does it clean the plate?”

Of course I want clean dishes. That’s non-negotiable.

But I also want to know what I’m using, how much I actually need, and whether there is a simpler option that performs well in my home.

UltraZyme gives me a concentrated powder rather than an individually portioned pod, which means I can use the amount directed for the product rather than automatically using one fixed dose every time I run the dishwasher.

And because UltraZyme is enzyme-based and EWG Verified®, it fits well with the bigger changes I’ve made over the years as I’ve gradually replaced many of the conventional cleaning products we once thought we “needed.”

That doesn’t mean I’m interested in fear-mongering about every conventional dishwasher detergent on the market. I’m not.

I just think we deserve to know that we have choices.

What About Washing Dishes by Hand?

This is an important distinction: UltraZyme is for the dishwasher.

If I’m washing dishes by hand, I’m going to use a dishwashing product designed for that job.

Norwex currently has BioZyme™ Dish Soap Concentrate, which is the enzyme-based spray dish soap you may have seen me use in my kitchen videos. UltraZyme itself should not be used as a hand dishwashing detergent.

And THEN we get into all my scrubby things… ?

Spirinett, SpiriSponge, Netted Dish Cloth, EnviroSponge, EnviroScrub, Ultra Scrub Cloth…

If you’re thinking, “Sonya, WHY are there so many scrubbers and which one am I actually supposed to use?” I have an entire guide for that.

Are Norwex Dishwasher Products Worth It?

For me, the better question is always: Would I buy it again?

That’s part of the way I evaluate products using my TRUE Review Framework™. After 17+ years with Norwex, I don’t believe every product is automatically a “must-have” simply because Norwex makes it.

I look at how well it works, how often I use it, its versatility, value, ingredients/materials when relevant, what alternatives exist and whether it genuinely makes my life easier.

And dishwasher detergent falls into a category I know I’m going to use over and over again. I’m running the dishwasher regardless. So for me, finding a dishwasher detergent that performs well and aligns with what I want to use in my home makes sense.

READ ABOUT MY T-R-U-E REVIEW™ FRAMEWORK

Where Do Norwex Dishwasher Products Fit If I’m Just Getting Started?

If you’re brand-new to Norwex, I would not tell you that dishwasher products need to be the first thing you buy.

I’d start with the products that can replace the greatest number of things you’re currently using and help you experience what makes Norwex different.

Then, as the products you’re already buying run out—dishwasher detergent, dish soap, laundry detergent and other consumables—you can decide whether you want to replace those too.

That is how I prefer to help people transition.

You do NOT have to throw everything in your house away tomorrow and start over. In fact, please don’t. Start where you are. Replace things as it makes sense. Figure out what YOU love.

My Final Take After 17+ Years

If you’re trying to simplify what you’re using in your kitchen, I think the Norwex dishwasher products are an easy category to understand.

UltraZyme Dishwasher Powder does the cleaning. Rinse Aid Plus helps with water spots and the final finish.

You may love using both. You may discover UltraZyme is all you need. Your dishwasher and your water will have something to say about that.

But that’s really the way I want you to approach ALL of this. You don’t need every product. You need the right products for YOUR home. And if you’re trying to figure out where to start, I’ve put together my complete guide to cleaning your kitchen with Norwex—including counters, dishes, scrubbers, produce, stainless steel, floors and all those other kitchen messes real families actually make.

Because apparently they insist on eating every. single. day. ?