Should I use rinse aid tablets in my dishwasher?

Dishwasher owners know full well that using this appliance is expensive, both due to the cost of the machine itself and the price of cleaning products. While special salt is essential to avoid damaging the appliance, as is the use of dishwashing detergent, housewives sometimes decide not to use rinse aid tablets in their dishwasher. This makes sense, as both powder and 3-in-1 tablets effectively remove stains without the need for rinse aid. Let's explore whether it's truly possible to do without it, and what happens if you stop using these cleaning products.

Why do you need mouthwash, and can you do without it?

While the role of special salt and detergent in a dishwasher is clear, the purpose of rinse aid often remains a mystery to users. Rinse aid is essential to remove all detergent residue after washing, prevent streaks on dishes, and impart a pleasant shine to cutlery. Rinse aid is primarily purchased for these last two benefits, as 3-in-1 tablets and regular washing powder are incapable of cleaning glasses, wine glasses, and other glassware to a crystal shine.

However, this is where the fact comes into play that dishwasher owners typically don't wash delicate glasses or delicate tumblers every day, and other dishes don't require a bright shine. Because of this, housewives often note that they add rinse aid only in situations where they need to wash special dishes, and if the baskets contain ordinary plates, pots, pans, and so on, then, in order to save money, they do not add special detergent.

According to surveys, there are even some dishwasher owners who never use rinse aid at all. They aren't bothered by the streaks left after a cycle, but are bothered by the film that sometimes remains on their dishes after using rinse aid. Of course, the film's presence directly depends on the quality of the household cleaning products, but in any case, the consumer's desire to have dishes free of chemical residue after washing is understandable, which is why many refuse to use additional detergents.

How to use mouthwash correctly?

Despite the ease of use of rinse aid, many housewives misuse it, as evidenced by the frequent damage to dishwashers caused by simple mistakes. The most common pitfall is choosing the wrong dispenser. People often believe that they should add rinse aid in the same compartment as the detergent dispenser, which is fundamentally wrong. In this case, the rinse aid is wasted, as it will simply drain into the wash chamber during the active cleaning of the dishes instead of being added at the end of the cycle.

To be on the safe side, after purchasing a rinse aid, you should not only carefully read the instructions on the packaging, but also re-read the dishwasher user manual to find detailed information about the compartments for household products.

The detergent dispenser is always located on the inside of the dishwasher door—it's easy. Difficulties can arise with the location of the specific compartments for 3-in-1 tablets, detergent, and rinse aid, as this varies depending on the type and model of dishwasher. Therefore, be sure to read the instructions before using a new detergent in your dishwasher to ensure you find the correct compartment for the type of detergent you need. As practice shows, most often the rinse aid compartment is located exactly in the center of the household chemical dispenser. To ensure proper operation of the cycle, rinse aid must be added to the central compartment before starting the wash function.

The final question related to this type of household chemical is the amount that should be poured into the compartment before each wash. There's no definitive answer to this question, as it depends directly on both the amount of dirty dishes and the manufacturer. One thing to keep in mind is that chemical manufacturers often slightly overdose to ensure the product is used up faster, meaning the customer needs a new bottle sooner.

Good and inexpensive mouthwashes

You can also save money on dishwasher rinse aid by choosing the right household product. Of course, there are too many such products on the market to easily navigate, so we've compiled a top list of the best affordable dishwasher detergents for you.

• Our top pick is the most popular and effective product, Finish Shine & Protect, in a 0.8-liter bottle. The brand promises that the rinse aid lasts for 160 cycles, which is a very good and economical result. On Yandex.Market, the product has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars based on 1,031 reviews. The current price for one bottle is $3.35.
• The "Silver" spot in our top ten goes to Somat, a quick-drying dishwashing detergent in a 0.75-liter bottle. It not only gives dishes a brilliant shine, prevents streaks, and speeds up drying, but also protects appliances from limescale, keeping their interiors clean. On Yandex, the product has an average rating of 4.8 from 327 buyers. A bottle is currently available for just $2.39.
• Frosch, sold in 0.75-liter bottles, rounds out the top three dishwasher rinse aids. This household cleaning product uses natural fruit acid, made from plant-based ingredients, is biodegradable, and is also gentle on skin. 26 people rated the product, giving it an average rating of 4.8 out of 5. The rinse aid costs at least $3.84 per bottle.
• The Synergetic dishwasher detergent in a 0.75-liter bottle received slightly lower ratings, dropping it to fourth place on our list of the best. This brand's products have always been distinguished by their emphasis on creating environmentally friendly household cleaning products, and the company has maintained this principle in creating this rinse aid. As a result, it received a good rating on Yandex's ratings service—4.7 out of 5 stars based on 272 customer reviews. The price per bottle is also very reasonable—just $2.29.
• In last place is HAND rinse aid, sold in a large bottle holding exactly 1 kilogram. This not-so-popular product was rated by only 17 people, with an average rating of 4.5 stars. However, this product will definitely last the longest period of dishwasher use due to its low detergent consumption and large capacity. The price per kilogram is the best in today's top list – just $2.29.

Now you know the specifics of using rinse aid, when it's necessary, and when you can do without it. Follow our recommendations and purchase a high-quality, affordable detergent from the list to save money on your dishwasher.

   

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