Dishwasher detergent is a detergent made for washing dishes in a dishwasher. Dishwasher detergent is different from dishwashing liquid made to wash dishes by hand.

When using a dishwasher, the user must select a special detergent for its use. All detergents are designed for use after the user scrapes leftover food from the dishes before washing. To function, the user places dishes in the dishwasher in such fashion that the surface of all dishes is open to the flow of water.

Most dishwasher detergents are incompatible for use with silver, brass, cast iron, bronze, aluminum, pewter, and goldleaf. They can also harm disposable plastic, anything wood, knives with hollow handles, and fine glassware.They can lead to these materials to be bleached or oxidized.

There are specific examples of chemical reactions we use in our everyday lives. For example, a dishwasher detergent uses sodium hypochlorite (simple bleach) and sodium carbonate (washing soda) in a chemical reaction to clean the dishes. Dishes washed in cold water are less clean than dishes washed in hot water. ^{[citation needed]}

Different kinds of dishwashing detergent contain different combinations of ingredients. Common ingredients include:

Dishwashing detergent may also contain:^{[citation needed]}

Dishwasher detergents are generally strongly alkaline (basic).

Inexpensive powders may contain sand^{[citation needed]}. Such detergents may harm the dishes and the dishwasher. Powdered detergents are more likely to cause fading on china patterns.