What's better for your dishwasher: tablets, powder, or gel?

Nowadays, having a dishwasher in the home is no longer a surprise, as this "home helper" has long been available to everyone. And there's no point in giving it up, as it frees users from the hassle of hand-washing dishes and is also more water-efficient. To ensure your dishwasher cleans dishes efficiently and lasts a long time, it's essential to use only reliable household cleaning products, as the effectiveness of cleaning and the safety of your appliances are directly affected by the choice of detergent. Let's explore modern detergents to find the best tablets, powders, and gels.

Ancillary chemistry is also important

First of all, it should be noted that for the dishwasher you need to use not only dishwashing detergents, but also special regenerating salt, plus rinse aid components. Salt is essential for softening hard tap water because the salt granules restore the ion-exchange resin in the ion exchanger, which is responsible for preventing scale buildup on key machine components.

Failure to regularly add salt to the salt reservoir can damage the appliance, so it's best to remember to refill the salt granules. Some dishwasher models can automatically remind you when the reservoir needs refilling with a warning message on the display.

Do not use regular table salt in your dishwasher, as only special salt granules should be added to the salt hopper.

Rinse aid is needed to rinse away salt and soap residue and prevent streaks from forming on dishes. It also gives cutlery a bright shine and sometimes a pleasant, subtle scent. Stores sell both individual rinse aids and rinse aids included in all-purpose products. It's possible to omit this household cleaning product altogether during the wash cycle, but doing so may leave glasses, goblets, and other glassware looking dirty afterward.

Now let's take a closer look at dishwasher detergents. They differ not only in type, but also in price, effectiveness, and safety for both the appliance and the user.

Dry cleaning agent

The powder was created before other household chemicals for dishwashers. This is the cheapest and most accessible dishwasher detergent, which dissolves very quickly and easily in water. Housewives note the following as disadvantages: difficult dosing, an inconvenient loading method, and the fact that some types of powder are not suitable for certain types of dishwashers.

It's also worth noting that most detergents don't contain the required amount of salt, requiring you to purchase salt granules separately. If you try to use a detergent with minimal salt content, your dishwasher may fail after just six months of active use. Also, detergents sometimes don't contain enough rinse aid, leaving dishes with soapy residue.

Finally, a potential allergic reaction should be noted as a drawback. An allergy can occur if detergent remains on dishes or if a person accidentally inhales this household chemical. Furthermore, it's impossible to store the detergent for a long time or buy it in bulk, as it absorbs moisture well and hardens, making it nearly impossible to use. Therefore, if a dishwasher owner decides to use detergent, it's best to immediately transfer it to a separate container with a tight-fitting lid after purchase.

Briquetted products

Now let's look at household chemicals for dishwashers in the form of tablets – the most popular detergent. Housewives often choose it because it contains special salt, detergents, and rinsing agents at the same time. This allows the tablets to wash dishes perfectly and simultaneously take care of household appliances.

Choose modern tablets for PMM, as they dissolve in water much better than the first versions of this type of product.

Tablets are also very easy to use, as they don't require measuring with a special measuring cup and then carefully pouring into a powder container. This means they won't accidentally spill or be inhaled, unlike loose powder. Tablet-sized tablets are always effective at removing even stubborn stains, while keeping your household cleaner in pristine condition.

Among the disadvantages, it's worth noting that this type of household cleaning product is much more expensive than powder. Also, due to the phosphates in the tablets, they can cause allergic reactions. Furthermore, the tablets cannot be separated into their components and used individually, for example, if the salt granules are already loaded into the appropriate compartment. Finally, this detergent may simply not have time to dissolve if the user selects the quick wash mode.

Liquid product

Household chemicals in gel form are considered the most economical, safe and easy to use. This gel-like product makes it easy to soften hard tap water and clean silverware and porcelain dishes. The gel's gentle formula does not contain abrasives, so it does not cause allergic reactions, does not scratch dishes, dissolves extremely quickly, and effectively removes even old stains.

This gentle product is easy to dispense and add to the dedicated compartment. And thanks to its rapid dissolution, the gel can be used even in the shortest cleaning cycles. It can also be used in the pre-soak mode.

Its composition is hypoallergenic because it does not contain phosphates or volatile components, unlike powdered detergents. Simply choose a gel with a pH of 4.5 and ensure it contains rinse aid and special dishwasher salt, which are not found in every liquid detergent.

You can also opt for solid capsules, which contain everything the gel does. Capsule-based detergents also prevent scale, plaque, and mold from forming on the dishwasher's internal components. However, this comes at a premium, as capsules are sometimes even more expensive than tablets.

What to wash dishes with?

You can find a quality product in any of the four categories if you take the time to research and analyze popular products. We've selected four excellent options that will please any housewife, regardless of their preferences or budget.

• Fairy Platinum PLUS All-in-1 Capsules (21 capsules, 0.38 kilograms) are one of the most expensive, yet highly rated, products, earning a high rating of 4.8 out of 5 on Yandex.Market based on 1,013 user reviews. Currently, the product costs $6.49, or approximately $0.31 per capsule, but larger packs are also available, which will significantly reduce the cost per capsule. This dishwasher detergent, in a fully water-soluble shell, contains everything needed for the entire cleaning cycle—detergent, rinse aid, and salt—enough for perfect dishwashing and gentle care. This household chemical cleans dishes even at low temperatures without leaving streaks. The capsules do not contain chlorine or phosphates, but they do contain special protective components that prevent scale buildup on filters and in the dishwasher's drainage system, and do not harm glass or silver items.
• The 1-liter "Finish Classic" gel has received an average rating of 4.6 from 328 Yandex users and is currently priced at $4.90 per bottle, but you can find better deals with larger quantities. It's easy to use, allowing you to choose the dosage depending on how dirty your dishes are and how full your dishwasher is. It dissolves quickly in water and removes any stains perfectly, even on fast cycles. On average, the product lasts for approximately 33 washes, depending on the dosage used. For best results, the manufacturer recommends using the gel at a temperature of 50-55 degrees Celsius or using the automatic cycle.
• Synergetic Eco Biodegradable Tablets (25 count, 0.8 kg) have been rated by 4,354 users on Yandex.Market, with a high rating of 4.7. This popular brand is currently available for $3.99, with more economical options available in packs of 50, 100, and even 300 tablets. This biodegradable detergent effectively removes even the most stubborn stains, dissolves ingrained grease, and leaves dishes sparkling. The tablets leave no streaks or limescale, eliminate unpleasant odors, and prevent limescale buildup in the machine. They can be used without adding salt or rinse aid, making them a great way to save money on household cleaning supplies.

Manufacturers of household appliances recommend adding salt granules separately if the tap water in the user's area is very hard, so the salt from a tablet or capsule may not be enough to regenerate the ion-exchange resin.

• The 3-kilogram Somat Classic laundry detergent received an excellent rating of 4.9 stars from 2,255 Yandex users—the highest rating in our selection today. It retails for $8.09, making it the least expensive of all the household cleaning products on offer. The manufacturer uses a powerful formula with a soda-based effect, which removes stubborn stains, grease, old stains, and more, plus it prevents streaks and tea and coffee marks from leaving behind. The citrus powder dissolves completely in water quickly and is easy to dose, allowing you to select the right amount for specific dishes. Therefore, this detergent can be used even for daily washing, with a minimal dosage for several sets of dirty dishes.

As you can see, you don't have to settle on just one type of household chemical; you can find a good option in any category. The key is to find the perfect detergent for your family, based on its ingredients, tap water hardness, dishwasher usage frequency, family budget, and so on.

   

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