Reply #6: The problem's not the water, kids

[jmowreader]

The problem's the phosphate-free detergent. When phosphate-free laundry detergent first hit the market in the 1970s they couldn't give it away. Now that they know how to make it, it works well.

I found this: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/06/washington-state-bans-dishwashing-liquid.php where some people claim "Wave" and "Seventh Generation Gel" work well. Take that detergent to St. Maries (which gets its water from a creek, hence is extremely soft) and watch it not work.