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Best dishwasher tablets?

83 replies

blankcanvas3 · 25/01/2026 18:45

I am about to lose my mind with my dishwasher. No matter what I do, my dishes are still dirty when they come out. And now so is my cutlery. I pre rinse everything, the filter is clean, rinse aid and salt topped up, tried the fairy power soak stuff too. It’s always properly dried on too, so it’s not just a case of re rinsing - I have to actually wash up stuff that comes out.

Is there a trick I’m missing? Is there some amazing dishwasher tablets on the market I simply must have? Please help before I rip the thing out and buy a new one

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bugalugs45 · 25/01/2026 18:48

How often are you putting your dishwasher on ? I only use mine approx twice a week and never have these issues .
I use fairy platinum plus for ref.
Is your dishwasher old & need replacing ?

blankcanvas3 · 25/01/2026 18:52

Every night - there’s 5 of us so we produce a lot of dishes. I only put plates/cups/mugs/cutlery in there, all actual cooking vessels get hand washed.

It’s only two years old and had great reviews when we bought it, so I must be doing something wrong. I’ll try fairy platinum plus!

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SidekickSylvia · 25/01/2026 18:52

I use Fairy Platinum Plus. The only time I used Finish, I thought my machine was broken as it left dried up bits of food all over the dishes. It's odd because dishwashers generally have a 'Finish recommended' sticker on them, but they're terrible.

DinoLil · 25/01/2026 18:53

Also Fairy Platinum here. My machine goes on twice a week as well. No issues. Machine is over 7yrs old.

Sminty2 · 25/01/2026 18:54

I use Fairy Platinum and if it’s been a few days waiting for it to be fully loaded, I spray with Fairy Skip the Soak.

Run the DW empty, with a cleaner in. There are a few but I use the Pink Crystal one, costs £1.50 a go. It’s worth doing once a month and clean the filter at the bottom too, that helps a lot.

CelticSilver · 25/01/2026 18:54

Is it definitely getting hot?

dementedpixie · 25/01/2026 18:54

I use aldi or lidl premium dishwasher tablets that look similar to the fairy ones. I scrape but dont rinse as the detergent needs something to work on.
Have you checked the spray arms dont have anything stuck in them?

MotherofPufflings · 25/01/2026 18:55

I just use Sainsbury’s own brand and have no issues. It sounds like there's an issue with your machine. What brand is it? Is it still under warranty?

Foyerstaff · 25/01/2026 18:56

What cycle are you using?

dementedpixie · 25/01/2026 18:56

Are you stacking it effectively so that water can reach all surfaces?

blankcanvas3 · 25/01/2026 18:56

CelticSilver · 25/01/2026 18:54

Is it definitely getting hot?

Yep, if I open it as soon as it’s done everything is boiling

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dementedpixie · 25/01/2026 18:57

Are you using a short or long cycle? I find the short one is less effective at cleaning

TimeForATerf · 25/01/2026 18:57

I use budget dishwasher tablets, but always use rinse aid and salt and use a 70 degree cycle except when it is a lightly soiled load. I always keep filters and arms clean and scrubbed of grease and build up.

blankcanvas3 · 25/01/2026 18:57

dementedpixie · 25/01/2026 18:56

Are you stacking it effectively so that water can reach all surfaces?

Yes! I even tested it today with just 4 or 6 bits in plus 3 forks and things still came out dirty

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blankcanvas3 · 25/01/2026 18:58

dementedpixie · 25/01/2026 18:57

Are you using a short or long cycle? I find the short one is less effective at cleaning

Long! It takes easily 2+ hours

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dementedpixie · 25/01/2026 18:58

blankcanvas3 · 25/01/2026 18:56

Yep, if I open it as soon as it’s done everything is boiling

That will be because there is a drying cycle at the end of most programs
If you open it mid wash is the water hot?

blankcanvas3 · 25/01/2026 18:58

dementedpixie · 25/01/2026 18:54

I use aldi or lidl premium dishwasher tablets that look similar to the fairy ones. I scrape but dont rinse as the detergent needs something to work on.
Have you checked the spray arms dont have anything stuck in them?

I will investigate the arms shortly

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Soontobe60 · 25/01/2026 18:59

Mine was like this - I dismantled everything that was removable and noticed that one of the spray arms was damaged. When I tried it under the tap I could see water wasn’t coming out of the little holes. I ordered a new arm, cleaned the other arm and it worked perfectly.

blankcanvas3 · 25/01/2026 18:59

dementedpixie · 25/01/2026 18:58

That will be because there is a drying cycle at the end of most programs
If you open it mid wash is the water hot?

Ooo, okay - right you’ll have to bear with me to get a load on and I’ll check!

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blankcanvas3 · 25/01/2026 19:02

The make and model is Miele G 5651 SCVi Active, its intergrated so will be a pain if it needs replacing

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tinyspiny · 25/01/2026 19:05

We have a 5 ish yr old Bosch , use an hour cycle , scrape but don’t rinse , fairy platinum tabs , put a cleaner through once a month on the hottest cycle and everything comes out clean

InMyOodie · 25/01/2026 19:06

Definintely remove the spray arms and test for blockages in the little holes.

Keep the salt and rinse aid topped up and use 3 in 1 tablets.

blankcanvas3 · 25/01/2026 19:07

dementedpixie · 25/01/2026 19:04

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=u5Wo46KNUFM

This should be a video about cleaning miele spray arms

Lovely thank you!

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