Are cheap dishwasher tablets any good?

[Bringiton2016]

Just that really. Anyone tried the basic/value type brands that are about 5p per tablet? I normally use Tesco own brand but was wondering if I could get away with using even cheaper. exciting Saturday night

[BikeRunSki]

We use them (Tesco Everyday Value) , I find they are actually better than others. We have very soft water though.

[rabbit123]

The Aldi Magnum Classic ones are brilliant. £2.99 for 50, but you do have to use salt & rinse aid with them. You can also gt both cheaply in Aldi

[Toffeelatteplease]

Yes totally. As long as you keep salt and rinse aid topped up (still waaay cheaper)

[Bringiton2016]

We've never used salt or rinse aid. I don't understand!

[babyconverse]

Shameless place marking. Always buy "leading brands" and keen to know if cheaper could work just as well...

[G1raffe]

Salt and rinse aid and cheap powder here. Plumbers said it worked much better in hard water area than all in one tablets.

[pourmeanotherglass]

Sainsbury own brand seem to work better than the expensive ones in ours.

[G1raffe]

And cheaper!

[nightpiano]

I use asda smart price and they are fine. The more expensive tablets make the crockery shinier, but the cheap ones get things just as clean.

[lifesalongsong]

I tried the finish powerball recently as they were on offer and I didn't like tham at all, I had to actually rewash things quite regularly. Back to own brand ones for me once the box is finished.

[elephantoverthehill]

Yes.

[sianihedgehog]

I've been using Sainsbury's Basics and find them just as good as the expensive ones, just keep the salt and rinse aid topped up. Even the expensive ones needed the salt and rinse aid, so it was a total waste buying them!

[MumUndone]

I used to use cheaper own brands (with salt and rinse aid) but found that quite often things wouldn't get properly clean, so had to put them through another wash. So was a false economy.

[Pyjamaface]

I use either Aldi ones without the rinse aid or Happy Shopper ones which are about £1.20 for 20.

Both get the dishes clean so no complaints!

[AmyInTheBoonies]

I think the dishwasher powder is the most economical. I use Sainsburies own brand and it works out v cheap.

If you wanted tablets though I found Aldi's good.

[GeorgeTheThird]

I use the more expensive Aldi ones with rinse aid, no salt. Can't tell any difference from Finish. (Is salt for hard water areas, is that why I've never used it?)

[rabbit123]

Salt is a water softener. Absolutely essential if you live in a hard water area as it makes the tablets clean better and stops the dishwasher getting scaled up. Rinse aid stops everything coming out dripping wet.

[figginz]

The Tesco everyday value ones are MILES better than the middle of the range Tesco ones. We have hard water.

[bibbitybobbityyhat]

I'll buy anything on special offer but the Sainsbury's blue and yellow ones in the plastic pouch are the best I've tried in my 20+ years of dishwasher ownership.

You can get boxes of 10 Finish powerball tablets in Poundland if you are ever passing.

[BastardGoDarkly]

Aldis are great, my dishwasher has had it now though

[Heirhelp]

I use tesco value ones. 30 tablets for £1.60 (I think). Everything always comes out clean. I ran out the other day and borrowed a couple of Finish tablets from my parents and not every thing was clean.

[Bringiton2016]

Thanks all. Nobody has said it's a really bad idea so I'm going to take the risk. I begrudge spending so much of my shopping budget on them.

[LakeFlyPie]

I use half an Aldi tablet per wash!
Works fine, top up salt and rinse aid when I remember but we're in a very soft water area so get away without any problems

[wowfudge]

We never use salt or rinse aid - very soft water area - with Aldi dishwasher tablets and have never had a problem.

[mayhew]

Lidl 5in1 are great. Hard water so always top u p salt as well.