(Some Miele dishwashers have a built-in water softener, to which you add dishwasher salt.) And to help your dishwasher work at its best: Use the right amount of detergent.

A subpar detergent: Detergents with enzymes in their formulas tend to outperform detergents without enzymes. (Most detergents do have them now, and it’ll usually say so somewhere on the packaging.) ...

A test of green(er) dishwasher detergents Like the thorn ... Turns out that the high level of minerals in hard water hinders soap’s ability to clean — and phosphates act as a water softener.

The water-softening process thus helps detergents to more effectively remove dirt and oils from clothing and dishes. It also helps soaps to give a "slippery" feel to your skin when you wash.