Dishwasher tablets

[mrsoutnumbered]

I'm new to the world of dishwashers and am having a bit of a problem.

I've tried wilko tablets and Waitrose tablets. Both leave the dishes feeling chalky after a wash. What's going on? Are they just a bit crap or am I doing something wrong?

I don't add anything else to the wash, and this seems to happen whether I choose the eco, quick or regular 65 degree cycle.

Aldi ones are great

I use Tescos own brand ones. They're great

Thanks guys, think I'll need to nip to the shops today! I just can't believe two brands both do it, made me wonder if I was doing something wrong!

Is the salt container full and on the correct setting?

Do you add salt and rinse aid separately? I find I have to, regardless of what kind of tablet I use. I'm in a hard water area, though.

I'm in a hard water area but am using all in 1 tablets so haven't been adding salt and rinse aid separately....hmm

Still need salt and rinse aid. Makes a huge difference

I'm in hard water area. Always fill salt and rinse aid up £1 each in Poundland or savers and use any type of tablets usually own brand

Chalky means you need salt.
Another vote for Aldi tablets.

Do you add salt and rinse aid separately? I find I have to, regardless of what kind of tablet I use. I'm in a hard water area, though.

Definitely this.

Salt and rinse aid are essential!

I have tried every tablet going, everything goes in my machine as I refuse to wash dishes, hate it. I keep going back to finish. Aldi is fine but if you have a particularly dirty load it doesn’t sparkle. I always wipe plates out with used napkins too and I soak pots etc beforehand so nothing caked on going in. Finish quantum is always on offer somewhere so I stock up. I think its better for my machine too. With the others I’ve had to clean the filter at least weekly. Now its once a month or longer between filter cleans. Bosch dishwasher, now 8 years old, at least 2 washes a day.

I'm in a hard water area but am using all in 1 tablets so haven't been adding salt and rinse aid separately....hmm

Yup, I think you need them. I just get the basic Waitrose stuff for both; a bag of salt lasts me ages and it costs about £2. I wouldn't chuck out the tabs you've already got until you try salt and rinse aid.

That said, Waitrose own tablets don't work terribly well for me, although I've got one of those Fisher Paykel dish-drawer things and it's very fussy. I get on OK with Fairy or certain Finish, or the Sainsbury's ones that come in a blue pouch.

Thanks everyone! I'll definitely pick up some salt and rinse aid!

Just to say thanks for your replies, salt and rinse aid have made a huge difference and everything feels nice and sparkles when the machine is finished!

I picked up some finish quantum in Sainsbury's as they're half price but with the rinse aid and salt the cheap Ones I already have clean just as well.

I too am in a very hard water area.

I would suggest forgetting about the all in one tablets and try Aldi Classic - £2.49 for 50 - plus salt and rinse aid separately.

Works a treat for me!

I would agree on the salt , I'm in a hard water area too.

We had a Hotpoint DW fitted in 2006 (new kitchen extension so completely new plumbing etc)
It broke down twice the 2nd time the repairman said we need to keep a close check on the salt because this is what caused the machine to fail. Apparently once a month it flushed all the salt through from the chamber (trouble is we had no idea when it would choose to do this, was it every 30 washes/45 washes/ no way of knowing)

I have a Bosch now , I use Costco tablets and whatever salt I happen to buy, plus the unscented Tesco rinseaid (I don't like the strong lemon)

You definitely need salt and rinse aid! We had the exact same problem until we bought them and topped up whenever the dishwasher light tells us to. We use Finish rinse aid, but Sainsburys own brand tablets and salt - we see no difference between these and Finish.

I use Lidl brand all in 1. Then salt and rinse aid. Very hard water here.

still need salt. even if using all-in-one tablets.
lidl tablets are good and the salt there is cheap as well.

We had a dishwasher engineer round when our new one didn't seem to be cleaning properly, and he told us to stop using the "all in one" tablets. Use basic (much cheaper) wash tablets and separate salt and rinse aid. It works much better (and is considerably cheaper).

Thanks all - yes I don't think I'll bother with all in one tablets once the current stash are gone, no point if I am buying salt and rinse aid anyway!

You might want to check your manual to set your dishwasher correctly for the water hardness in your area. Your water provider's website will tell you this and if you can adjust your dishwasher to use the correct amount of salt each wash it will probably help.

Hardwater area and have never used salt or rinse aid. I always buy Finish tablets and the dishes come out fine.