Dishwasher tablets - how much do you use?

mookybargirl

I have the finish ones with the ball in the middle. I use a really sharp knife and it works better if I use the part of the blade closest the the handle. 9/10 times, it cuts perfectly, both balls still in place. Will try with the wrapper on though....

southwestmaid

Sharra wrote: »

Taking this one step more basic - would washing soda work in the dishwasher? That would cut out the chance of the washing powder smell.

I've been using washing soda for a few weeks now and find it just as good if not better than dishwasher tablets, I'm wondering if it will do any harm to the machine though?

bizzylizzy

southwestmaid wrote: »

I've been using washing soda for a few weeks now and find it just as good if not better than dishwasher tablets, I'm wondering if it will do any harm to the machine though?

I use washing soda in the WM, and it is supposed to help to keep it clean so I can't see how it would damage a DW.

How much do you use in your DW?

kiwi88_2

I've been doing this for a few months now and it's brilliant.

I also mix 2 bags of soda crystals with my box of washing powder. A 1kg bag of soda crystals costs about 49p. The only difference I've noticed is that my whites are brighter. This means that I buy less washing powder.

Doing both these things I reckon it saves me approx £30 a year.

southwestmaid

bizzylizzy wrote: »

I use washing soda in the WM, and it is supposed to help to keep it clean so I can't see how it would damage a DW.

How much do you use in your DW?

I just fill up the little powder/tablet area the same as I would for dishwasher powder, to be honest its just as good if not better than dw products but I've not heard of anyone else doing it and wondered if it could do any damage? At the price of soda crystals it seems to good to be true!

southwestmaid

Just found this site, they recommend using soda crystals mixed with borax (whatever that is) in your dishwasher.
http://www.dri-pak.co.uk/cleaningtasks/kitchen.html

scubaleopard

I use a squirt of stardrops in the dishwasher dispenser ( I live in a soft water area so dont put too much in case of bubbles) and white vinegar in the rinse aid dispensed It works beautifully and costs a fraction of dishwasher tablets

belfastgirl23

Are soda crystals environmentally friendly?

I've been using Lidl DW tabs for a long time now and much prefer them to any other brand. A lot of the premium ones don't dissolve properly at 30 deg which is our quickest cycle and works fine otherwise. Lidl tablets break in half very easily too which some premium brands don't do at all.

Would consider soda and borax tho since I do feel a bit guilty about environmental damage

southwestmaid

belfastgirl23 wrote: »

Are soda crystals environmentally friendly?

I've been using Lidl DW tabs for a long time now and much prefer them to any other brand. A lot of the premium ones don't dissolve properly at 30 deg which is our quickest cycle and works fine otherwise. Lidl tablets break in half very easily too which some premium brands don't do at all.

Would consider soda and borax tho since I do feel a bit guilty about environmental damage

Quote from the site I mentioned in my last post-

Soda Crystals (washing soda) have been used around the home, by farmers and in commerce and industry for over 150 years. Soda Crystals are extremely versatile and are relatively inexpensive. One of the reasons Soda Crystals have remained so popular is that, unlike many modern cleaners and detergents, Soda Crystals contain no phosphates, enzymes or bleach.

moneypanicker

hey all, got my new dishwasher today:j

I've decided to use the tablets for ease of use. can anyone recommend a make to me their are so many. i was in Lidl today and they had adritt? 40 for £2.99 that seems to be a good price - are they any good?

Also i'm a member of costco I can get finish powerball 150 for £15 i know this is quite good value for the powerball ones but is it worth paying the extra - are they much better?

any opinions gratefully received. Thanks!