What do you use in your dishwasher?

[JILS]

DH just getting round to installing dw (bought it a year ago!!) What do you recommend - tablets or liquid?

I shove my flip-flops in.

I tried ecover but didn't seem to get my dishes as clean as i'd like them. Fairy seem to work the best but miss that lovely fresh smell of the ecover.

Does everyone else soak their dishes pre-dishwash?

Cheers Holly.
I don't soak anything but pans and casseroles,I rinse the worst of the food bits off plates.

I don't pre soak. But if there's a lot of food I'll rinse them first.
Flip flops? That's a good idea.

I use the Ecover tablets. (where do you live NDPlume as I find them pretty easy to find) DH saw the box one day and said "Well THEY won't work" - i'd been using them for months by that point and he hadn't noticed. DW repair man told me years ago that you should always rinse under tap first as bits of food were the most common reason for deterioration and breakdown of DW. He also said that calgon tablet type stuff for waching machines were a waste of money as the element or whatever the calgon protects is the cheapest part to replace anyway and would cost less than the calgon. Confessions of a SAHM: I could live quite (thats a small, reserved, quite) happily without a DW (would be a good way of providing an extra chore for older two dds)but would KILL if anyone even suggested living without washing machine. Too many student days memories of trying to save cash by washing it all by hand in bathroom sink. Uggh.

put the lemon (half) in the cutlery basket. Have often wondered if you could steam a pud in the DW...

Yes, I saw that tip when watching Andrea's perfect houswife one night. I put the lemon half on the top part, I will put it in cutlery basket next time to see if there's a difference.

I really should be getting on, Inlaws are just miles away...

Hollyboo - confession time. I was drunk last night when I posted about flip-flops. I didn't read the OP and I thought the question meant what unusual things do you put in the dishwasher (because I just read your answer about putting a dishcloth in). Anyway, yes, I do put flip flops in. I was debating between washing machine and dishwasher, but decided they were more plate-like than clothes-like. I saw a programme where they poached a whole salmon (in foil) in the dishwasher. But to answer JILS original question, I use Lidl tablets. They're much cheaper than the rest and work just as well.

Either ecover or co-op own brand tablets, I read somewhere that they were as good environmentally as ecover but Lord, can't find it now.

Also use white vinegar as my rinse aid, and place the arrow bit on the highest setting. If I have ever used half a lemon (or squeezed a lemon) for a recipe, will chuck that on the top layer for a couple of washed to 'zing' the machine.

Also add dishcloth/sponge/brush as and when I remember.

Slight hijack here but I have been having problems with my dishwasher - basically things in the top rack (cups and glasses) coming out dirtier than they go in - some sort of food deposits on them. I have cleaned the filters, used a descaler, etc and it still happens. Any suggestions or is it knackered? (Hope to be replacing it within a year btw when we finally get around to doing up our kitchen)

KTeepee, ours did that for a while if it was overloaded - dh fiddled with the position of the upper rack so the fan-type thingy (the bit that spins round) could spin more freely and I don't put so much stuff in and it's fine now.

MrsMuddle I would be afraid to put my flippies in the washing machine, so they'll be going into the DW from now on, I'm also think of putting my ugg style slippers in? Just like the washing machine but no swushing around. Very bold of you to be posting whilst under the influence
No that is not a glass of wine beside me at this time of the evening