Dishwasher novice

[Lizlette]

I am having my first ever dishwasher fitted tomorrow. Having never had one, and my parents not having had one, I've just realised I'm a bit short on knowledge.

Can I wash all plastics or just some? In which case which ones? What about glazed terracotta oven dishes? Slow cooker bowl?

I've seen all in one dishwasher tablets,but heard people say you still need salt and rinse aid, in which case what is the point of all in ones?

Finally, I think, can I wash non kitchen things in it? Bathroom soap dish, makeup brushes?

Even if I only wash plates, bowls and oven trays in it, that'll be fab, but I want to get the most out of it!

From my short experience, don't wash wooden objects in it, some flimsy plastics will warp badly and try different tablets to see what suits. I'm using eco friendly ones at present and they're rubbish. Aldi and lidl ones are good. Glazed bowls- don't know but I'd stick them in if it was me . Brushes might lose bristles if they're glued in- a hot wash melts glue.
Try different washes. I've ended up using only the quick wash as it was as effective as the full washes which took 4 or 5 times as long. Enjoy...

Yes to slow cooker dish.

You should always fill the salt reservoir, and use rinse aid. All in one tabs are not as good. If your water supply is above or below averagely hard (your water co's website will tell you) you can adjust the softener per the instruction book.

Aldi, Lidl and Fairy Platinum tabs usually come out top on Which tests. Fairy Plat are about three times the price.

Brand of salt and rinse aid doesn't matter.

Remember to clean the filters per the instructions. There may be three. You will soon see how often is necessary (it depends on your usage and menu). Wipe fat or grease off with kitchen roll and bin it. Learn how to get peas out of the arm. Don't put mashed potato in it.

Naice glasses, and heirloom china, will be damaged in the dwr as the surface erodes and goes dull.

Our dishwasher came with a kit to test water hardness. The water is so soft the instructions actually state that we do not need to use salt in the machine. So we don't. We use Aldi tabs - the Fairy stuff is highly scented and tainted all the silicone and plastic washed with it. Took ages to wash out.

Thanks everyone. I'm in Devon and the water is pretty soft. I've looked in the kit that came with it and there is a dipstick thing in it, so ill check the manual about water softness.

I've been to aldi and have salt and rise aid ready to go.

I just shove everything in our dishwasher. Plastic's, wooden spoons..the lot! Most things these days are dishwasher safe. The only thing that doesn't go in is the wok and only because it takes up too much room. Cheap plastics will discolour overtime. More robust plastics are fine. For example, some cheapo tupperware I bought from Home Bargains a few years ago has discoloured, but our Brita filter (which is about 5 years old) looks perfect.

Detergent wise, we usually get Finnish Classic (not all in one) from Costco, but I've used Aldi Magnum before and that's pretty good too. Never been a fan of the "pod" type ones like Fairy. Didn't shift tea stains the last time I tried and the little plastic coating clogged up the dispenser