Review of Somat tablets for dishwashers: types, pros and cons, customer reviews

What is important to us in dishwashing detergent is the quality of its work, safety for health, and reasonable price.Finding the perfect option is difficult, but you can try.

One of the contenders is Somat tablets for dishwashers, which we will talk about in this article. Let's analyze the properties declared by the manufacturer and compare them with the real capabilities of the drug. We will also consider the line of products offered by the brand and highlight their main advantages over competitors.

General information about the Somat product

Henkel began producing dishwasher detergents under the Somat brand in 1962. They became the first such drug in Germany, when household appliances were still considered a luxury.

After 37 years, a new product was introduced - detergent with rinse aid. Then the product range included a gel with Micro-Active technology, and even later tablets appeared.

Composition of tablets

The proportions of the components are chosen so as not to harm the user and fall within the standards. The manufacturer is constantly improving the composition, changing the shape and color of the tablets, improving their quality.

Approximate list of components:

• 15-30% complexing agent and inorganic salts;
• 5-15% oxygen-containing bleach, phosphonates, polycarboxylates;
• up to 5% surfactant;
• TAED, enzymes, fragrances, dyes, polymers and preservatives.

Inorganic salts in the composition indicate that the products can be used without additional salt, provided the water is soft.

The manufacturer does not indicate which phosphonates are included in the list, and this information is important if the user has allergic reactions.

But the usual chlorine is replaced with oxygen bleach, which refers to environmentally friendly and safe components.

Each tablet is packaged in an individual sealed bag that is easy to open. In shape it is a dense, compressed red-blue rectangle

The manufacturer is constantly improving the formula of the tablets, increasing their effectiveness. Economy is also important. One large box is enough for a quarter, a small one for a month.

It all depends on the frequency of washing and the number of family members. But even when servicing a large family company, the pack is used for quite a long time.

The principle of action of the drug

Three-component Somat tablets: salt, detergent, rinse aid. Salt starts working first; it enters the machine when water is supplied. This is necessary in order to soften the water and prevent scale formation.

In a special compartment for detergents, the tablets are evenly dissolved in parts depending on the operations of the selected program

Most machines use cold water. Without salt, scale begins to form in the heating tank. It settles on the walls of the heating element and reduces the service life of the equipment. Salt can also suppress the formation of foam.

Next, the powder is included in the process. It performs the main function - removing contaminants.This is the main component in the tablet; the entire operating principle of the tablet is based on it.

At the last stage, a rinse aid is connected, which reduces the drying time of the dishes.

Safety when using tablets

If suddenly the product gets on your mucous membranes, you should immediately rinse them with water, using plenty of clean liquid. If the irritation does not decrease, you should seek help from a doctor and take the packaging with you.

The composition contains proteases, so cases of allergic reactions are common. The box of pills should be hidden out of the reach of children.

Types of tablets and their characteristics

The main difference between the lines will always be the composition and a competent mix of ingredients. Somat tablets contain 3 components. And the name All-in-1 indicates a complex of additional components.

Tablets #1 – Somat Classic

The product gives dishes a “squeaky” cleanness. The composition contains oxygen bleach (5-15%), about 5% nonionic surfactants, soda, fragrances, phosphonates, enzymes. Available in cardboard boxes packaged in 34, 80, 90, 130 pieces.

Somat Classic is sold in a cardboard box with a different number of tablets. Individual packaging does not dissolve, but can be easily removed without improvised means

These tablets are often used as a budget option for daily cleaning. They are difficult to cope with particularly stubborn stains, but thanks to the gentle set of components and low price, they are ideal for frequent use.

Tablets #2 – Somat Gold

Stainless steel appliances become shiny, glass does not fade, and dishes are disinfected.

Thanks to the active formula "Soaking effect" dried food remains are removed from surfaces at a temperature of 40 degrees.Salt and rinse aid in the composition ensure faster drying of dishes.

Tablets are sold in small and large packages. The average cost of one piece is 20 rubles, but chain supermarkets and regular stores hold promotions

Sold in packs of 20, 40, 60, 80, 120 pcs.

Advantages of Somat Gold:

• detergent provides intensive cleansing;
• Rinse aid adds shine;
• salt prevents the formation of plaque on dishes;
• tea and coffee deposits on cups are removed;
• The machine is protected from lime deposits.

One Somat Gold tablet is enough to remove any dirt. To use it, you need to tear the packaging along the arrows and place the product in the machine dispenser.

Do not place it in the cutlery basket or other parts of the dishwasher. If the water hardness is higher than 21 dH (German scale), you will need to additionally use salt and rinse aid.

Review of Somat Gold tablets from an active dishwasher user:

Tablets #3 – Somat All-in-1

This product works as an ideal cleaner. It has a rinse aid function to give dishes a radiant shine, and the presence of salt protects the surfaces being treated and the machine itself from limescale.

In addition to the standard action, the All-in-1 cleaning tablet is supplemented with the option "Power Booster", which removes dried-on food residues without soaking, but with perfect results.

The tablets are sold in a cardboard box with different numbers of pieces. Individual packaging does not dissolve, but can be easily removed without improvised means

The All-in-1 product is considered the best in the manufacturer’s line. In addition to the standard set of oxygen bleach, soda, carboxylates, surfactants and phosphonates, it contains special additives.

Available in packages of 26, 52, 100 pcs. Recommendations for dosage and use are the same as for the Gold line: open the packaging and place the tablet in the cuvette of the machine.

Somat All in 1 dishwasher tablets are demonstrated in the video review:

Tablets #4 – Somat Machine Cleaner

Machine Cleaner is also a tablet from the Somat line from the manufacturer Henkel, but not for washing dishes, but for good, stable operation of the machine in conditions with hard water.

Their components will perfectly clean the chamber and penetrate hard-to-reach places - filter, pipes, sprinkler. The product removes grease and limescale. We have provided recommendations for cleaning the dishwasher yourself in this material.

Machine Cleaner is sold in packs of 3 and 6 pieces. The tablets are sealed, there is no need to tear the individual packaging, the product is placed on the bottom of the machine

There are only three tablets in the pack, but they last for 9 months if you load one piece along with the main product once every 30-31 days. One unit can be used three times to keep your dishwasher clean and keep your dishes clean too.

Pros and cons of Somat

Somat tablets are a universal product for all machines, because the components are calculated in average quantities for one wash.

It is important: if there is not enough detergent, the dishes will remain dirty, if there is too much, foam will appear, which is difficult to wash off. Foam also affects the operation of the machine itself - water level sensors get lost, which can lead to leaks and breakdowns.

The tablet product does not crumble or spill if dropped. It is compact in size and can be stored for a long time. Shelf life: 24 months.But it is not recommended to purchase it for future use: expired tablets lose their properties and do not remove dirt well.

The Somat compressed product already includes both the detergent itself and salt with conditioner, which eliminates the need to purchase additional jars and boxes. But if the water is hard, salt you still have to add it.

Enzymes in the capsules indicate the product’s ability to wash away burnt-on fat; the list of ingredients may also include dishwasher cleaner, aromatics and other additives

The components of Somat dishwasher tablets do not dissolve immediately and not together, but precisely when this is implied by the machine program. Another plus is that the product washes dishes and takes care of equipment.

There is also a minus - the dosage cannot be adjusted, and for a half load you will have to load a whole tablet. Some people cut it in half, but this affects the quality of washing.

It is important to take precautions when using detergents.

Recommended storage temperature is 5-40 degrees. If the expiration date has expired, the drug is thrown away; there are no special requirements for disposal; it qualifies as ordinary household waste.

What do customers say about Somat?

Users note the high efficiency and average cost of Somat products. Many are accustomed to the products of this manufacturer and do not want to change them. Not surprisingly, it is optimal in terms of price and quality results.

According to user reviews:

1. Tablets dissolve well, their remains are not visible on the dishes.
2. Devices are easy to clean at any temperature.
3. The smell is pleasant: Subtle aroma of citrus and freshness.
4. Glassware shines, and greasy stains and burnt areas disappear from baking sheets, butter dishes, and pans.
5. Devices don't stick, do not have a dirty smell or sticky residue.

But there are also those who are not very happy with the result. The main complaints include poor cleaning of heavily soiled dishes and residue left on cups.

But this may be due to incorrect operation of the machine or the features of the dishwasher itself - some models do not recognize 3-in-1 products, which affects the cleanliness of the dishes.

Causes of poor dishwashing

It often happens that the product does not dissolve in the machine. This happens for several reasons: the drug is expired or stored incorrectly (it got wet and froze), the loading compartment is clogged, the water supply is poor pressure. You need to check all these points to fix the problem.

Incorrect loading of dishes

Making full use of the space in the dishwasher compartment is beneficial, but overloading affects the quality of the wash.

You need to place the dishes so that there is space between the devices, and water can easily get into it. It is recommended to remove food residues from surfaces.

To avoid dishwasher detergent disappointment, avoid loading it with graters, garlic presses, jars and bottles with stickers.

You cannot ignore the instructions from the manufacturer. There are devices that can only be placed on the top shelf: bowls, cups, small items. Pots and pans and cutlery are placed below.

Incorrect placement of dishes in the machine chamber can lead not only to poor washing, but also to damage. We advise you to read rules for loading dishes in PMM.

Counterfeits from the market and stores

Craftsmen often counterfeit popular products; Somat tablets are no exception.

It is better to buy them at trusted points of sale, where quality is monitored, so as not to make hasty conclusions about the manufacturer’s dishonesty.

Comparison with closest competitors

What is in the assortment of domestic and Russian manufacturers? Each of them is trying to distinguish themselves from competitors with some know-how.

Some offer a low price, others offer auxiliary functionality, and others base their marketing on packaging and appearance. Let’s take for comparison the 3 most popular products on the Russian market: Finish, Fairy, Frosch.

Competitor #1 - highly effective Finish tablets

Finish is the leader in the number of positive reviews. But sometimes it doesn’t cope with the tea and coffee stain.

These tablets can be used to wash silver and glass items without the risk of corrosion. They contain added fragrances, components for glass, metal, and antimicrobial additives.

Despite the majority of positive reviews, some users still complain about streaks after washing with Finish tablets. Another disadvantage is the high price

A powerful selection of components allows you to get an excellent result - the dishes are mostly washed clean and do not cause any complaints upon visual inspection. More information about the tablets of this brand we reviewed here.

But the manufacturer invests a lot of money in advertising, so recently the product has become more expensive and users have begun to look for a replacement.

As an inexpensive alternative, you can use Somat, which, quite possibly, will eliminate some of the disadvantages of the promoted product.

Competitor #2 - easy-to-use Fairy capsules

Fairy products resemble not a pill, but a pillow. According to the manufacturer's idea, such powerdrops They wash dishes efficiently and carefully, without leaving streaks, remove old dirt, and deal with grease. The composition also includes components that protect the dishwasher.

Fairy is larger in size than Somat, so it may get stuck in the small compartment of the machine and not dissolve. Another drawback is that the capsule cannot be cut in half.

The capsule shell is self-dissolving, so they do not need to be opened before use, but should be stored in a dry place. We talked more about the features of Fairy tablets in this publication.

The instructions indicate that Fairy fits into the machine compartment, but if it is small, you can throw the tablet into the cutlery compartment. In the latter case, you need to select a program without pre-wash.

Fairies are easier to use, but the better cleaning quality with their help has not been proven; special comparative testing with Somat dishwasher tablets has not been carried out.

Competitor #3 - Frosch skin-safe tablets

Frosch combines a relatively high price and excellent cleaning quality. Contains: surfactants of plant origin, no phosphates, formaldehydes, borates.

The formulas are skin-safe and dermatologically tested. With frosh you can safely wash children's dishes, rubber, plastic, and silicone toys of good quality.

Natural substitutes for chemical components in these tablets affect the quality of the “work” - the dishes are clean, but as if they had been washed by hand. More disadvantages: rough packaging that needs to be cut, plus the product often crumbles

Users report flawless cleaning even when using half a tablet. But with such a load, the product may not wash very dirty dishes.The only negative is the high cost, but it is also the lowest when compared with other tablets in the “eco” series.

Somat is cheaper, but is filled with chemicals - the buyer chooses what he considers safer.

A comparative table of products by form, manufacturers, cost of one tablet, expiration dates, presence of soluble film and other parameters will help you make your choice.

The table shows that the most expensive and environmentally friendly product is Frosch, and the manufacturer Finish took care of ease of use, providing customers with a choice of cardboard packaging or bag, as well as a soluble tablet shell.

But Somat remains optimal in terms of the classic consumer price-quality ratio.

Do you want to use tablets that are safe for your health and cost minimally? In this case, we recommend that you read homemade pill recipes for a dishwasher, the manufacture of which will require inexpensive products available to almost every housewife.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

How to use different dishwasher detergents.

Correct loading of the dishwasher - the quality of washing also depends on this.

Whether you should rely on the generalized opinion from this review or not - the choice is yours.Try it, only with experience can you find the optimal remedy for yourself..

And don’t discount gels with powders; they also wash dishes quite well and allow you to adjust the dosage.

What do you think about Somat tablets? Are you satisfied with this product or are you completely against using it? Express your opinion in the block below.

If you have not yet decided on the appropriate tablets for your dishwasher and are considering Somat as a possible option, ask for advice on choosing a detergent from our experts and other site visitors in the comments to this article.