Those who use a dishwasher regularly probably know all about dishwasher products. However, if you’re a new dishwasher owner, you may have some questions, for example, how various types of dishwasher detergent (liquid, tablets, powder) differ from each other and how to use each of them properly. Today, we’ll help you to figure out how to use dishwasher tablets.
Dishwasher detergent tablets, sometimes referred to as simply dishwasher tabs, are one of the most popular types of dishwasher detergent because, unlike liquid detergents and detergent powders, they are easy to dose without any risk of spillage. Besides, dishwasher tablets are a multi-purpose product: in addition to surfactants, they can contain enzymes, bleach, rinse aid, anti-corrosion and antibacterial agents, and water softener.
At first glance, there is nothing complicated about using dishwasher tabs: all you need to do is put a tablet in the compartment, select the program and start the dishwasher. Generally speaking, it is indeed so, but there are a few things you need to know before using dishwasher tablets for the first time, such as how many tabs to use for one cycle, which program to choose, which compartment to put the tablets in, whether you need to remove the wrapper before putting the tablets in the dishwasher, whether you need to use rinse aid or dishwasher salt, etc.
How many tablets do you need for one dishwasher cycle?
As a rule, dishwasher detergent manufacturers calculate the dosage so that a single tablet is enough for an average dishwasher cycle in a fully loaded, full size dishwasher, with a capacity of 12 to 16 place settings. However, if you have a small dishwasher or don’t have many dishes to wash, there is no sense in using a whole tablet; you can just break it in half, put one half in the dishwasher and use the other one the next time.
What program to choose when you use dishwasher tablets?
It is very important that you choose the right wash program, otherwise the tablet won’t dissolve completely, and you’ll get streaky dishes with detergent residue. Different dishwashers may have different programs, so we can’t tell you the exact program you need to choose. What we can tell you is that you should pay attention to the length of the cycle and water temperature. You need to make sure that the wash cycle is sufficiently long (at least one hour), and that the water temperature is 52-60 °С.
Do you need to take the wrapper off the tablet?
This seems like a very simple question, but many people who are using dishwasher tablets for the first time don’t know the answer. The thing is, the only one who can answer this question is the manufacturer. Some tablets come in plastic wrappers that need to be taken off before use, while others come in water-soluble wrappers. If your dishwasher tabs belong to the latter category, you should handle them carefully (store them in a cool dry place in an airtight container and avoid touching them with wet hands).
Where do you put the dishwasher tablet?
Generally, dishwasher tablets should go in the detergent compartment of your dishwasher. The location of the compartment may vary depending on the model; most dishwashers have the detergent dispenser attached to the inside of the door, but this isn’t always the case. To make sure you’ve identified the detergent compartment right, refer to your dishwasher’s using manual. Before putting the tablet there, make sure that the compartment is completely dry, otherwise the tablet may stick and won’t dissolve completely. Keep in mind that you must never put the tablet in the dishwasher itself.
Do you need to use rinse aid and water softener in addition to dishwasher tablets?
Naturally, the answer to this question depends on what kind of dishwasher tablets you use, more specifically, on their composition. Some dishwasher tabs already contain rinse aid and water softener, while others don’t. So you should read the ingredient list and go from there. However, if your dishwasher has a built-in water softener circuit, you should refill the salt container with dishwasher salt every now and then even if your dishwasher tablets contain water softener.
During the wash cycle, all tablets are transferred to the tank at a certain point and begin to dissolve gradually, releasing their active ingredients layer by layer: first water softener (if there is any), then surfactant, then rinse aid, etc. Thanks to this, you will get squeaky clean and shiny dishes at the end of each wash cycle.