Are more expensive dishwasher tablets worth it?
As long as your dishwasher tablet works well with your appliance then it doesn’t really matter which brand you choose. However, some brands might work better with your dishwasher than others.
The dishwasher tablet you use will also depend on the results you want from your wash, the type of water in your area, and the types of stains you need it to clean.
Many dishwasher manufacturers recommend a specific brand or tablet to use, and these often help to achieve the cleanest results. But it might be beneficial to try different brands and tablets to see which one works best for you and your family.
It’s also important to remember that dishwasher tablets that contain salt and rinse aid only help to soften the water, so you’ll still need to refill the salt in your machine once a month.
Related: Best tabletop dishwashers for compact kitchens
How do I choose the best dishwasher tablets?
Ingredients
Dishwasher tablets come in liquid or tablet form, or a capsule containing both. While each product is different, they are generally made up of a combination of builders, bleaches, enzymes and surfactants. Some are designed to work better at a high temperature while others are more successful at removing tough stains or cutting through grease when set at lower temperatures.
Eco-friendly
If you want to be kinder on the planet, you’ll find environmentally-friendly dishwasher tablets made from plant-based, biodegradable ingredients that come in a soluble wrapper instead of individual plastic wrappers, and are vegan and cruelty-free. You can also be more eco-friendly by looking out for recyclable packaging.
Rinse aid and salt
Dishwashers also need rinse aid to assist with drying and to leave your dishes shiny and with fewer spots, and salt for softening the water and protecting the machine from limescale. You can buy dishwasher tablets that come with rinse aid and salt included. But in hard water areas where you can get a build-up of limescale, you may need to top them up separately to get the best out of your machine.
Price
For a family home, you may find yourself filling the dishwasher more than once a day, so the cost may be a big factor when it comes to choosing a dishwasher tablet. As you can see from our list, you don’t have to spend a fortune – prices can start from around £3.99 and can go up to over £60 for bulk or larger packs.
Do dishwasher tablets clean your washing machine?
While dishwasher tablets are made for cleaning your dishes and glassware, a cleaning hack that went viral on social media claims you can also use them to clean your washing machine.
The tip, which was posted on the Mums Who Clean Facebook group, recommends that you pop four dishwasher tablets into the drum on a hot wash. The water turns brown as it cleans out the inside of the washing machine and, when it drains, the drum is left gleaming.
However, some cleaning experts say this tip could do more damage than good to your machine, which is why we’d suggest a specially designed washing machine cleaner for the job instead.