Where to put the tablet in a Bosch dishwasher

Today, users can choose from dozens and hundreds of different types of detergents, making it easy to find the perfect one. Tablets are considered the most convenient and popular, as they contain everything you need and don't require dosing. Unlike other household cleaning products, tablets perform not just one function, but several, sometimes even more than ten. Therefore, housewives sometimes wonder where to place the tablet in a Bosch dishwasher, given its extensive functionality. Let's explore this important question, the answer to which isn't always found in the manufacturer's instructions.

We are looking for a compartment for pills

Putting the tablet directly into the bin underneath the dish racks isn't the best idea, so we'll point out the inadequacy of this method right away. Bosch dishwashers are equipped with a special tablet dispenser, which is located on the door of the appliance. This is where the detergent needs to be inserted so it dissolves at the right moment during the wash cycle. But for this to happen, the tablet must be placed in the correct compartment, of which modern dishwashers often have two or more.

Fortunately, finding the right compartment is very easy, even though it's located in different places on different "home helpers." All you need to do is carefully study the icons on the compartment lids in the dispenser. If the lid has a symbol that looks like five stripes, simulating spraying water, that's the compartment for tablet detergents. This is also where you can pour powdered household chemicals.

Pay attention to the compartment marked with a sun symbol—it's not for use with tablets, only for fabric softener. If the lid doesn't have a sun symbol, but has a rotating plastic element with an arrow, it's also for the fabric softener, and it has a convenient knob for adjusting the flow rate.

This way, you can navigate the compartments of your Bosch dishwasher even without a user manual. Just remember the meaning of the icons to use the device without errors.

Do I need to open the packaging of the product?

Before using any household chemical, you must first carefully read the official instructions. There are so many different cleaning products available today, they vary significantly, including in terms of use. It's especially important to note that tablets can be either soluble or insoluble. If the latter is the case, you must tear open the packaging before loading the product into the dispenser.

You can tell whether a tablet is soluble by the packaging itself – it is usually transparent, without cuts or easy-to-open strips, while insoluble tablets are most often made of foil.

As an example, here's a list of tablets that can be used without unwrapping. This isn't a complete list of detergents with dissolving packaging available in Russia, but it represents the main ones you'll find on store shelves.

• Finish Quantum.
• Sun All in one.
• Sodasan.
• Dish Drops.

Now let's list some popular tablets that require opening before use. Remember these names so you don't forget to open them before washing.

• Somat.
• OXO Family.
• Frosch.
• Econta.
• Ecover.

Any problems with the dishwasher's operating cycle can be avoided if you take five minutes to read the instructions immediately after purchasing the tablets.

The main functions of tablets

Tablets from different brands differ in composition, and therefore in their functions, which can be both standard and advanced. Classic combination tablets consist of detergent, dishwasher salt and rinse aid. This is the standard formula most commonly found in stores. Advanced ingredients not found in every tablet include the following:

• components that protect the metal parts of the machine from corrosion;
• substances that prevent darkening of silverware during washing;
• substances with antibacterial and disinfectant effects;
• whitening components;
• foam suppressants;
• flavorings and others.

Regardless of the tablet type, it should not be crushed before the start of the working cycle, as it will lose its properties, as the rinse aid will dissolve during the first stage.

The advantage of tablets is that they dissolve gradually in different layers during different stages of the wash cycle. The tablet falls out after the wash cycle begins, and a layer of salt and detergent dissolves within it during the wash cycle. Before the rinse cycle begins, a third layer dissolves within the tablet, which may appear as a red ball in Finish products.

It's crucial to ensure that dirty dishes don't obstruct the dispenser lid when opening. This will prevent the tablet from falling out of the compartment during washing and dissolving. Otherwise, it will either fall out at the end of the cycle or remain in the dispenser altogether.

Features of using the product

Finally, let's briefly review the basic rules for using dishwasher tablets. Users often ask how many times a tablet can be used. Typically, this type of detergent is single-use, suitable for washing an entire dishwasher load, up to 10-15 place settings. If the tablet is uniform and can be broken without damaging it, some housewives use half a tablet for a half load or for use in a small dishwasher designed for 5-7 place settings.

Choosing the right cycle is also crucial. This is because in modern washing machines, the manufacturer clearly specifies the cycles in which the 3-in-1 tablet can be inserted. Typically, this is allowed in cycles that last for an hour or more.

Tablets cannot be used in pre-soak or pre-rinse modes.

It's also important to note the importance of storing household chemicals. Tablets should be kept in a dry, dark place, out of reach of children. Also, never handle dissolvable tablets with wet hands, as moisture can cause them to stick together and become unwashable.

   

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