Can I do a maintenance wash on a dishwasher

[M48294Y]

with just soda crystals or do I need one of them there dishwasher cleaning packs? I somehow feel that those are a rip-off and something perfectly ordinary will do the job just as well. Any tips? Tia.

I may be wrong but I strongly suspect that the special sachets they sell are actually washing soda crystals anyway. My washing machine needed a repair recently and they asked if I needed any more cleaning sachets. When I told them that I used soda crystals they just said ok and didn't try to persuade me that their stuff was better.

Thanks firesidechat. Mumsnet and the rest of the internet is strangely lacking in information about dishwasher maintenance washes, whilst there are thousands of threads about washing machines. I feel strangely nervous about doing the wrong thing - ridiculous!

I'm sure I researched this before I put soda crystals in my dish washer and it was recommended. I've done it a few times and the dishwasher is fine.

Same here. I've used soda crystals several times and never had a problem.

Also make sure you take apart and clean out the filters in the bottom.,.

anyone know which cycle to put it on?? or do you just use the hottest cycle??

I'd probably just use the hottest longest cycle possible?

Hottest.

You may find the Tips section on this website helpful. (I think that dishwashers are under 'Kitchen Tips'.) They cover most things and are not always recommending their own products.