Dishwasher tablets - how much do you use?

jamjar,

There are other threads about soapnuts, which are environmentally friendly and cheaper in the washing machine than any powders. They also recommend using them in the dishwasher, three half shells. I have tried this twice now, with pretty good results. There were one or two items that were not totally clean, but you can get that anyway with expensive tablets.

System

I dont use dishwasher tablets but i buy dishwasher powder from Tesco instead. 1kg costs £1.98

Sharra

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

masatay

Hi,

Question is in the title really, only use dishwasher once or twice a week when full, but am in the process of looking at every penny we spend, so any tips or old style ways of making a cheaper alternative?

Oh and dishwasher cleaner too? :beer:

elona

I snap a dishwasher tablet in half and use it, use white vinegar as rinse aid and put a halved lemon in to clean the dishwasher.

Pink.

Hi masatay,

These older threads might help give you some ideas:

dishwasher powder OS?

Dishwasher tablets

cleaning your dishwasher


Pink

Money_Maker_Shaker

I'm gradually easing myself into the oldstyle way of operating, mostly as it seems a great idea but also as our first baby is due in April and we'll be living on much reduced means for a while.

I'm going to work through the cleaning cupboard to see exactly what I've got in there and will post my finds for some advice on the best way to use it all up later - but for now can I ask a question about dishwasher tablets?

I don't think I'll ever convince my husband to move away from those all in one tablets as our last dishwasher packed up as the bit where you add the salt actually ate away the bottom of the dishwasher and fried the electrics. Repair man said he often saw this :eek: But I have tried cutting a tablet in half and he agreed the wash was as good as using a whole one. Trouble is how do you easily cut the blighters in half?

They've got a round ball thing in the middle so you can't just smash them or the ball bit stays in one side. They exploded when I used a knife, best success I had was using a jnr hacksaw - has anyone got a better idea?

Best wishes

MMS

vivaladiva

Don't take the wrapper off before you try to cut the tablet - it's much easier.
(Actually I think someone should ivent a little guillotine type thingy it would be great for all sorts of things.:D )

mrsmortenharket

I use dishwasher powder.

The tescos in the yellow container. The containers are never full so I top up with soda crystals & shake.

Never been a problem.

You can control how much you put in & ish cheaper than the tablets.

I also run mine on a hot wash once a week empty with a heap of soda crystals & vinegar in the soap dispenser.

HTH

Lisa x

squeaky

Beaten to it!

Yep, advice given earlier somewhere was to leave the wrapper on, and it works a treat.