What Is Rinse Aid and Do You Really Need It? An Expert Explains All [Video]

While rinse aid might seem like a cleaning product upsell you can do without, many dishwashers are designed to work most effectively when you add this inexpensive liquid to your cleaning routine. But, is it entirely necessary to use? We spoke with an expert to explain what rinse aid is, how it works, and whether you really need to use it to achieve sparkling clean dishes every time you run your dishwasher.

Rinse aid is a drying agent designed to boost your dishwasher’s rinse cycle, making the drying cycle more effective. It helps pull water off your glasses, dishes, and plates. Rinse aid removes evidence of water spots, mineral deposits, and hard water, leaving your dishes shinier and cleaner, and gives energy-efficient dishwashers the same power as heat-thirsty older versions.

“Rinse aid improves dishwasher performance by helping dishes dry faster and reducing water spots,” says James Fleming, appliance expert with …