Which dishwasher tablets are better: what to choose for caring for equipment

Tablets are the most popular form of dishwasher detergent. They are easy to use and store, versatile and multifunctional.But there is a drawback: it is not always possible to choose a high-quality drug the first time.

We'll tell you which dishwasher tablets are best and which ones you should avoid buying. The article we have proposed lists the main guidelines for choosing the optimal product. Reviews from users who have tested different types of tablet chemicals for dishwashers in practice are provided.

Features of using tablets

Along with the technical improvement of dishwashers, new detergents for equipment are being improved and offered. Popular washing powder is gradually being replaced by more effective preparations: tablets and gels.

The typical composition of household products is approximately the same. The active ingredients of the cleaners are surfactants that break down dirt on kitchen appliances. In addition, manufacturers can add phosphates, fragrances, bleaches, enzymes, soda and other components to improve the quality of washing.

Each type of detergent has both pros and cons. If we talk about price, the most budget option is powder

However, it has a number of disadvantages: the likelihood of scratches, streaks on dishes, and uneven use of the product.Often the powder spills past the hopper - microparticles that get into the lungs have a bad effect on health.

Gel-like preparations do not have these disadvantages. They contain no abrasives and are great for washing fragile glass and porcelain dishes. The absence of volatile components makes the product relatively safe and reduces the risk of allergic reactions.

The downside of gels is the need to calculate the dosage. An alternative option is capsules with a gel composition. Piece preparations are convenient to use, but are more expensive than similar detergents.

Dishwasher tablets have gained popularity among users. Equipment manufacturers responded to consumer wishes and launched the production of units with a separate compartment for the product.

The main advantages of cleaning tablets:

• Multifunctionality. In addition to cleaning elements, many products contain the necessary salts, rinse aid and secondary components.
• Convenience. There is no need to calculate the dosage, one tablet is enough for a full washing cycle; a solid, compressed preparation cannot be accidentally spilled like a powder;
• Availability of individual shell. Each tablet is placed in a separate stick, which means that during storage, volatile components do not enter the environment;
• A wide range of. Sets of different packaging for 20-120 pieces are available for sale.

The price of the products also differs. The cost is determined by the production brand and quality composition.

It is worth noting the disadvantages of using tablets:

• As a rule, tablet products do not completely solve the problem of water hardness and you still have to add salt;
• Phosphates are often added to the tablets, which provoke allergic reactions;
• old models of dishwashers do not accept solid compressed substances;
• inability to reduce the dosage - some products are so compressed that they are very difficult to break.

Not all drugs dissolve well. In short mode, part of the tablet may remain in the compartment.

Probable causes of poor solubility: the drug has expired, failure to comply with storage rules, insufficient water pressure or clogged tablet compartment

What to look for when choosing?

In order not to be disappointed with your purchase, you need to make sure that the machine is suitable for working with tablets. When choosing, you need to look at the composition of the drug, evaluate the environmental friendliness and reputation of the manufacturer. The quality of washing is characterized by user reviews.

Number of layers per tablet

On packages of dishwasher tablets you can often find inscriptions like: three in one, five in one, ten in one, etc. The most enterprising manufacturers point out - all in one. We are talking about the number of active ingredients and the versatility of the tablets. However, is this so?

A basic set of “ingredients”: cleaning powder, salt, rinse aid. Three-component options are relatively low cost and adequately cope with the task.

There are effective tablets with a basic “filling” on sale. If the quality of washing is satisfactory, then there is no point in overpaying for advertised multi-component analogues

Of the really necessary additives, in addition to the standard composition, two items can be distinguished:

1. Protects dishes from clouding. Especially important when washing glass plates, cups and glasses. A special component prevents premature clouding of transparent glassware.
2. Protecting equipment from scale. If the salt component softens the water, reducing the likelihood of deposits on the dishwasher parts, then special active additives fight previously formed sediment.

Five-component tablets are enough for normal dishwasher care and high-quality washing. Anything added beyond the above increases the cost of the cycle and has a negligible effect on efficiency.

The choice of supercomponents depends on personal preferences and needs. “Six in one” and higher tablets add active substances to add shine to steel cutlery, flavorings, and “additives” to remove juice and tea stains.

Some consumers prefer tablet options with antimicrobial properties. They cope with the disinfection of dishes without increasing the water temperature - the energy efficiency of the cycle increases

Composition and safety of components

The main selection criterion is not the number of components, but the quality composition of the detergent composition. See the back of the package for a list of chemicals and other additives. The dishes are rinsed with clean water, but there is a possibility of active substances entering the human body.

The ability to “recognize” the composition, determine the necessary and extremely undesirable components will help you choose an effective and safe drug.

The following names can often be seen on labels:

1. Phosphates. The sodium tripolyphosphate compound softens water, activates the action of surfactants, and reduces the consumption of detergents. In addition, phosphates are involved in the breakdown of contaminants and protect dishwasher elements from scale. The downside of the substance is that it is not safe for the environment. In European countries this component is banned.
2. Oxygen bleach. The active ingredient is sodium percarbonate.The component is obtained by evaporating sodium carbonate with peroxide to a crystalline form. It is considered an environmentally friendly substance.
3. Chlorine. Used for bleaching and cleaning dishes. Due to the harmfulness of chlorine, many detergent manufacturers have abandoned it.
4. Phosphonates. “Lightweight” alternative to phosphates. The action of phosphonates is less aggressive, so its use is permitted in Europe.
5. Surfactant Surfactants connect the incompatible – water and oil. Thanks to their action, grease is removed from dishes.

Three types of surfactants are most often used: anionic, cationic and neonogenic.

Anionic surfactants are cheap, effective, but harmful; cationic surfactants have a disinfectant effect; neonogenic components are environmentally friendly and biodegradable.

In addition to the main components, the composition is enriched with additives and flavorings. Enzymes are used to quickly break down contaminants. Range of action: protease – protein food residues, amylase – starch, lipase – fatty stains.

For families with small children and people prone to allergies, it is better to choose environmentally friendly offers. They do not contain phosphates, chlorine, phosphonates, anionic surfactants or genetically modified products.

“Filling” of Ecover dishwasher-safe tablets. The composition is dominated by sodium derivatives, which stimulate foaming, fight stains and whiten dishes

Experts are cautious about the harm caused by detergent tablets with aggressive components. In their opinion, the consumed water and air of megacities contain no less dangerous substances. For an adult body, with proper use and high-quality rinsing, tableted chemicals are safe.

Release form and price

Trying to make using a dishwasher as easy as possible, manufacturers of household chemicals placed cleaning tablets in a polymer dissolvable capsule. In addition to ease of use, this solution allows you to avoid skin contact with concentrated components.

The contents of the briquette are reliably protected by a shell that dissolves upon contact with water. Given this feature, such tablets should be stored in a dry place.

Cost is not a particularly informative indicator. Popular manufacturers often inflate the price of their products. While little-known companies offer similar products at a more reasonable price.

Tablets from different companies usually have a similar manufacturing “recipe” and the same cleaning effect. Therefore, there is no point in overpaying for the manufacturer’s name.

Specific Terms of Use

When choosing a dishwasher detergent, you need to take into account the water hardness, the class of the dishwasher and the capacity of the hopper. It is optimal to have several types of tablet preparations in the house for washing different dishes. The decisive factor in choice is the composition of the detergent.

When thinking about which dishwasher tablets are best to choose, you can follow these points:

1. Chlorine-containing preparations - for periodically washing cutting boards, removing old dirt from pots, baking sheets and frying pans.
2. Low alkaline enzyme tablets - for daily washing. They carefully wash dishes at a temperature of 40°C.
3. Compositions with oxygen clarifiers - to keep plates and cups snow-white. With regular use, the whitening effect is noticeable.

The rule for children and allergy sufferers remains the same - tablets made from natural ingredients are suitable.

It is optimal if the detergent composition is enclosed in a soluble wrapper.There is no contact with skin, and it is impossible for microparticles of active components to enter the air during capsule storage.

Product review: description and reviews

Let's look at the constituent features of popular dishwasher tablets and note their strengths and weaknesses, referring to user reviews.

Variability of Finish cleaning briquettes

Products from the Polish manufacturer are the most popular among users.

The company offers several options Finish tablets to choose from:

• Finish Quantum;
• Finish All-in-One
• Finish All in Turbo;
• Finish Classic.

Let's look at the features and pros and cons of these tablets.

Finish Quantum. Three-component tablets, packaged in dissolvable packaging. The product includes:

• White powder – granular components with enzymes aimed at removing stubborn stains;
• red gel – a means for breaking down fat and adding shine to dishes;
• blue, yellow or green powder – components for water purification and softening.

The manufacturer claims that the tablets are multifunctional, giving them the ability to protect the filter of equipment, prevent the formation of scale, remove tea deposits, grease and add shine.

Most users are satisfied with the result. The main advantages include: soluble packaging, good cleaning quality, no streaks on dishes

Among the disadvantages are: high cost, high concentration of detergents per cycle, chemical smell. Approximate price of Finish Quantum – 12 USD/60 pcs.

Finish All in One. The composition contains amylase, zinc oxide, sodium percarbonate, citric acid and other components. In general, the “filling” of All in One tablets is simpler than in Quantum, but this does not degrade the effectiveness.

The product is universal - it perfectly removes any type of dirt and is suitable for silver and glassware. Average cost – 17 USD/65 pcs.

Finish All in Turbo. The product is designed for express washing within a temperature range of 40 °C. The composition uses instant components - the active substances are mixed with water during the first minutes of washing.

Finish Classic. The simplest option, in fact, is regular Finish powder for dishwashers, pressed into tablets. They contain the patented StainSocer additive to effectively break down dried dirt.

The main advantages of Finish Classic: relatively inexpensive, pleasant smell, good cleaning quality. Disadvantages of tablets: lack of a soluble coating, the need to additionally use rinse aid and salt. Price guide – 12 USD/90 pcs.

About what is best to use in a dishwasher, what is more convenient for a housewife and for the equipment itself, tablets or powder formulation, learn from our recommended article.

Eco-friendliness of BioMio

The tablets have received positive reviews from consumers due to their safety of use and high efficiency.

Main components of the composition:

• Non-ionic surfactant;
• oxygen bleach (up to 30%), the active substance is sodium percarbonate, which, when interacting with warm water, breaks down into hydrogen, oxygen and soda;
• polycarboxylates (5%) – protective element against corrosion;
• Eucalyptus oil;
• enzymes in low concentration;
• limonene – citrus fragrance.

If you are individually intolerant to eucalyptus, it is better to refrain from purchasing BioMio - an allergic reaction is possible.

Advantages of the drug: soluble shell, environmental friendliness, easy rinsing, good washing result.A subtle eucalyptus aroma lingers on clean dishes.

The disadvantage of BioMio is that glass products may have light streaks. To neutralize the effects when washing glasses and wine glasses, it is better to use the additional rinsing mode. Approximate price BioMio tablets – 8-9 USD for 30 pieces.

Availability of Econta tablets

Domestic tablets are not inferior in effectiveness to products from famous brands. Attractive to consumers at low cost - the price of a package of 30 pieces is 3-4 USD.

The detergent powder is pressed into single-layer or three-layer type. The active ingredients of the composition are phosphates and oxygen bleach. The additives are relatively safe, these are eczymes, polycarboxylates and non-ionic surfactants.

According to the manufacturer, the tablet has a “7 in 1” effect: removal of fat, tea deposits, water softening, protection against scale, citrus aroma, action at low temperatures

In practice, Econta tablets performed well. Most consumers noted a high degree of cleaning and complete dissolution. Disadvantages of use: they do not perform well in water below +45 °C, they leave stains on dishes with a shortened cycle.

Effective remedies from Fairy

The popular brand of dish care products offers several options for tablet products. Available for sale: PowerDrops, PowerDrops All in 1, Platinum All in 1.

Tablet products are similar in composition, the difference is in the additional components and release form. Active substance Fairy tablets – phosphates and nonionic surfactants. Three-component All in 1 tablets are popular - capsules consisting of three substances: cleaning powder and compartments with multi-colored gels.

Strengths of the drug:

• action at any temperature;
• removing dirt and adding shine;
• scale protection;
• versatility - suitable for any utensils;
• effectiveness against old fat, dried food residues;
• soluble packaging;
• beautiful appearance of the pressed product and packaging.

The peculiarity of the tablets is that Fairy is suitable for water with a hardness within 21 dH. You can use a test strip to determine the indicator.

Briquettes are packaged in soft packaging with a zipper, capacity – 26-65 pcs. Approximate price – 8 USD for 50 pieces

Maximum Somat efficiency

Almost all users gave the highest score to the quality of cleaning Somat tablets from the German brand Henkel. All varieties are three-component, containing a detergent ingredient, rinse aid and salt.

Active ingredients Somat:

• complexing agent (15-30%) - this role is played by phosphates or silicates; the manufacturer did not indicate the type of component on the packaging;
• inorganic salts;
• oxygen-containing bleach;
• phosphonates;
• nonionic surfactants, enzymes and fragrance.

In fact, it is a traditional “hodgepodge” of active substances, but the correct percentage ratio allowed us to achieve maximum effect.

Most consumers noted the effectiveness of Somat. Additional advantages: protection of glassware from clouding, anti-scale effect, elimination of burnt marks, versatility

The composition cannot be called absolutely harmless. Not everyone likes the smell of Somat tablets - after washing you will notice a specific aroma. Additional disadvantages: no soluble coating, high cost - for 100 pieces you will have to pay about 15 USD.

High-quality and inexpensive Clean&Fresh

90% of users described German Clean&Fresh tablets as an affordable and highly effective product. The price of a package of 28 pieces starts from 3 USD.

Three-layer tablets: green - active substances for protecting glass and flavoring, blue - oxygen bleach and detergents, white - anti-scale. They are placed in an insoluble hermetic shell.

Clean&Fresh composition:

• sodium tripolyphosphate – breakdown of fats;
• sodium carbonate and bicarbonate - soda to improve washing and bleaching;
• sodium percarbonate – bactericidal and cleansing effect;
• phosphonates.

An important advantage of Clean&Fresh is the absence of odor after washing.

Positive reviews prevail. Negative aspects include insufficient cleaning of pans with burnt marks and the appearance of streaks on the glass. The last problem is neutralized with the additional use of rinse aid.

Gentle cleaning with Ecover

Ecover tablets are considered one of the most effective phosphate-free detergents. The cleaning function is assigned to a complex of sodium derivatives and non-ionic surfactants; natural flavors are responsible for the pleasant smell.

Characteristic features of Ecover:

• hygienic and safe – suitable for children’s dishes;
• without synthetic flavors – creates a fresh smell on the plates;
• plant and mineral base;
• The process of dividing the tablet in half is quite easy.

Despite the completely plant and mineral base, the tablets showed excellent performance. The dishes are washed efficiently, there are no stains on the glasses, the cutlery shines. The disadvantages include the lack of soluble wrapper and limited supply on the market.

Ecover tablets are difficult to find in stores; you have to order online and overpay for delivery. Price guide – 9-10 USD for 70 briquettes (without transport costs)

You will find detailed information about which product it is advisable to buy for use in the dishwasher in next article, which examines in detail the technical characteristics and advantages and disadvantages.

The aggressiveness of the “children’s” remedy Eared Nyan

Russian-made tablets are positioned as a detergent for children's dishes. However, the composition contains phosphates and phosphonates - more than 30%. This means that we are not talking about the environmental friendliness of the product, and the safety of the composition for the child’s body is questionable. What is not included in the composition are fragrances and dyes.

Despite the obvious dissonance between the “filling” and the intended purpose, the tablets show good cleaning quality. Eared Nian copes with various types of pollution, does not leave streaks and is washed off well.

It is not recommended to wash children's dishes with tablets if the child is under 3 years old. The advantage of the product over truly environmentally friendly products such as BioMio and Ecover is its availability in stores

If the cost of factory-made tablets seems too high to you, you should try making the drug yourself. Homemade pill recipes are given here, we recommend reading a very useful article.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Video review of tablets for cleaning kitchen utensils and various appliances in the dishwasher. Among the tablets there are the Somat and Finish discussed above:

Testing detergents from different manufacturers, including the drug Fairy, presented in the rating above.Comparison of appearance, price and effectiveness of tablets:

No matter how high-tech and functional a dishwasher is, it is useless without effective detergents.

The effectiveness of tablets primarily depends on their composition. Additional selection factors: hardness of the water used, release form and individual user preferences.

What tablets do you use to process dishes in your machine? Tell us what cleaning products you chose, share why. Please leave comments in the block below, post photos and ask questions about the topic of the article.