Best Dishwasher Tablets

Do you want to change from cleaning powder to tabs or is once again the package of dishwasher tabs empty, then one can be confused at the latest when shopping for tabs. If some tabs have “Multi-Power” or “7in1” designations, they belong to the group of multifunctional tabs and, in addition to the detergent, also contain a rinse aid, water softener, glass protector and other fine features.

In contrast, the mono tabs, which have none of the additional functions listed and here, among other things, a rinse aid must be purchased separately and added to the machine. Therefore, when choosing tabs, take a little time and read what the manufacturing company promises based on the packaging of the dishwasher tabs.

Some are still under the misconception that if you use multi-tabs, you do not need to refill the regeneration salt in the dishwasher. This view is wrong. To soften the water, modern dishwashers have a so-called ion exchanger, which filters lime from the water. In order for this to regenerate, dishwasher salt is added to the container provided for this purpose.

Some tabs can soften your water, but they cannot replace the regenerating salt. It only ensures that soft water is available in the rinse cycle, but it cannot regenerate the ion exchanger. So if you want to wash with soft water in the long term and thus prevent limescale stains, there is no way around regularly topping up the salt in the dishwasher. According to Stiftung Warentest, an exception is made for water hardness below 21°. Then you don’t need additional salt, as the water softeners contained in the Multi-Tabs are sufficient. Information on water hardness in your area can be found at the local waterworks or on the Internet.

An indication of the best-before date corresponds to the legal requirement. If the date is exceeded, the function of the detergent is not necessarily limited. Basically, there is no risk of dishwashing detergents spoiling. The tabs are vacuum-packed. Opened powder should be stored at best in a container with a lid, protected from moisture, otherwise it will clump.

If dishwashing detergents get into children’s hands, then this can be life-threatening under certain circumstances. If rinse aid accidentally splashes onto the skin, it can be washed off immediately. The agent can cause chemical burns in the eye. You should therefore rinse with plenty of water and consult a doctor as soon as possible. Make sure you use phosphate-free dishwashing detergents, as they are kind to the environment. Whether toxic residues remain on the dishes after rinsing has not been conclusively clarified.

Dishwasher tabs from Ecover, which score points with degradable ingredients and a hundred percent eco-balance, are recommended. They are followed by Calgonit, Finish and Fit. For glasses, the sparkle of Somat remained unbeatable in the dishwasher tabs test. According to Stiftung Warentest, on the other hand, the cleaning performance and environmental impact of gel dishwashing detergents was inadequate. Those who want quick and easy handling are well advised to use tabs, according to the test institute. Dishwashing detergents in powder form can be used variably and are cheaper with good cleaning power.

Sometimes the tab does not dissolve in the dishwasher. In this case, the cause is usually the temperature or the load of the machine.

Some dishwasher tabs dissolve a little worse in programs with low temperature than at higher temperatures. If this is the case for you, then it is best to choose a program with a higher temperature or look for another tab in the store. If the heating of the machine is broken, the required temperature can also be achieved. However, in this case you will have to call the repair service.

In some circumstances, however, the detergent does not dissolve because the dishwasher was loaded too full. Large pots or baking trays may obstruct the spray arm, preventing the tab from dissolving. However, the dishwasher tab may not be falling out of its container or into a larger container instead of onto the bottom of the machine. To get to the bottom of this problem, you could place the tab in the cutlery basket. Here it is usually sufficiently moistened.

There is also another possible cause. For example, the small holes of the spray arm may be clogged by food residues or by lime deposits. In this case, thorough cleaning of the spray arm will help. How to clean the spray arm step by step, we have explained in detail in the linked article.

Dishwasher tabs are available in many discount stores such as Aldi, Lidl or in drugstores such as DM or Rossmann and of course you can also buy them on the Internet at Amazon and Co.