Rinse aids play an important role in the final stage of dishwashing, helping to prevent water spots and streaks on tableware. By facilitating rapid evaporation and even drying, rinse aids ensure a brilliant shine and make dishes promptly ready for use or storage.
Like other cleaning agents, rinse aids are available in several variants. Different types of rinse aids are designed for different purposes. Kiilto offers a wide range of rinse aids to cover the most common needs as well as more specific operating conditions in professional kitchens.
How to choose a rinse aid
Selecting a rinse aid that matches your water conditions, and dosing it correctly, supports smooth daily operations in professional kitchens. Faster and more even drying reduces handling time and helps prevent visible residues on dishes.
Water hardness is one of the most important factors to consider. The mineral content of your water affects how well a rinse aid can perform, so choosing a product suited to your local conditions helps achieve consistent results.
Rinse aids for soft water
In soft water conditions (below 8 dH°), Kiilto Pro Neutral Rinse-Aid and Kiilto Pro Restia Rinse-Aid are effective options. Both are highly concentrated and support fast, even drying. They also proudly carry the Nordic Swan Ecolabel.
Kiilto Pro Neutral Rinse-Aid is a cost-effective solution for soft water conditions. It shortens drying time and helps ensure a clean, streak-free finish. Kiilto Pro Restia Rinse-Aid is also suitable for soft water conditions and contains a higher level of active agents, supporting enhanced drying efficacy.
Rinse aids for medium hard and hard water
Harder water leads to higher demands on rinse aids due to increased mineral content. In hard water conditions, limescale build-up is a common challenge. With the correct rinse aid, limescale build-up can be prevented and the descaling cycle can be prolonged.
Kiilto Pro Brilliant is a neutral rinse aid designed to perform well in hard water conditions (above 8 dH°), using dispersing agents to help prevent spotting. It is also gentle on machine components and helps reduce the risk of corrosion, which is usually the downside of acidic rinse aids.
For more demanding conditions, Kiilto Pro Lemon Rinse-Aid and Kiilto Pro Brisk are suitable alternatives. Kiilto Pro Lemon Rinse-Aid is an almost pH-neutral rinse aid based on phosphonates. Due to its composition, Kiilto Pro Lemon Rinse-Aid is well suited for difficult hard water conditions, without being acidic. It also carries the Nordic Swan Ecolabel.
Kiilto Pro Brisk is the most acidic option and intended for challenging conditions, where a traditional acidic rinse aid is the preferred option.
A rinse aid and washing tips for plasticware
Reusable plasticware is increasingly used in events, arenas, and outdoor settings, replacing disposable cups and containers. While this is practical, plasticware is more difficult to dry than glass or porcelain. Plastic items have uniquely low surface energy, causing the challenge with drying. Traditional rinse aids are usually not effective enough for plasticware.
If plasticware is stacked or stored before it is fully dry, the remaining moisture can create conditions where bacteria and other microbes may grow, increasing hygiene risks.
In many kitchens, limited space makes drying difficult. Trays of plastic cups can’t sit on shelves for hours before they’re fully dry and ready to be stacked and reused.
To effectively dry plasticware, Kiilto Pro Rinse Extra is recommended. It has superior drying efficacy for all materials, but it has been especially developed for plasticware. As a neutral rinse aid, it works best in soft and medium hard water conditions.
In addition to a special rinse aid, other factors need to be considered when washing plasticware. To wash plastic items, place them in dishwasher baskets and cover them with a rack to stabilize them throughout the wash. A regular washing program and Kiilto Pro MD 10+ Green are recommended for plasticware.
The rinse temperature should be set to a maximum of 80-85°C. If the rinse temperature exceeds 85°C, steam may begin to form on the surface of plasticware, which can prolong the drying process.
The dishwasher water should also be changed regularly to ensure a clean result and efficient drying.