Cutting dishwasher tabs in half

Poorexgirlfriend192

Does anyone else cut their dishwasher tabs in half to get more washes out of a pack?

I’ve heard of this hack and thought I’d give it a go. But my OH has completely freaked out and said it’s not sensible to do it and it’s toxic etc. wondered what everybody’s thoughts on it were please?

Emmia

Surely it would be easier to use straight dishwasher powder or liquid in a smaller dose, rather than cutting tablets in half?

I think as long as you wash the cutting implement and surface well afterwards, it shouldn't be toxic though.

35har1old

Poorexgirlfriend192 said:

Does anyone else cut their dishwasher tabs in half to get more washes out of a pack?

I’ve heard of this hack and thought I’d give it a go. But my OH has completely freaked out and said it’s not sensible to do it and it’s toxic etc. wondered what everybody’s thoughts on it were please?

How much does it cost per tablet ?

MalMonroe

They can cause eye irritation, skin irritations and allergic reactions. So cutting them in half isn't recommended. 

I agree with your OH. 

Cutting them in half will halve their efficacy so you'll probably have to put the same load through a wash twice - false economy. You can get own brand dishwasher tabs - all in one tabs, too - quite cheaply at supermarkets. You are going to need a very sharp knife too. The Finish tablets I have at the moment have a little ball in the middle too and that'd be quite difficult to cut in two.

If you can afford to run a dishwasher, surely you can afford to use dishwasher tablets properly? I really would try to find another way to save money.

35har1old

MalMonroe said:

They can cause eye irritation, skin irritations and allergic reactions. So cutting them in half isn't recommended. 

I agree with your OH. 

Cutting them in half will halve their efficacy so you'll probably have to put the same load through a wash twice - false economy. You can get own brand dishwasher tabs - all in one tabs, too - quite cheaply at supermarkets. You are going to need a very sharp knife too. The Finish tablets I have at the moment have a little ball in the middle too and that'd be quite difficult to cut in two.

If you can afford to run a dishwasher, surely you can afford to use dishwasher tablets properly? I really would try to find another way to save money.

Maybe a hacksaw 

They are toxic.

Katiehound

Well, Wilko has their own brand of all -in-one tablets- 40 for £3, or 80 for £5 so 6.25 pence each*.

That seems fairly cheap so I wouldn't be worrying about saving 3 pence compared to the actual costs of running the dishwasher!
*sorry-currently OOS!!

SuperMoose

We get Aldi's 50 for £2.49 tablets. They break in half in the plastic wrapper and then one half goes in the dishwasher. Everything comes out as clean as washing with a complete tablet.

Means the packet lasts twice as long as it did before so saves some money. What's not to like?

berrybug

I buy the lidl ones can’t remember the price but they break in the pack easy I’ve been doing this for about 10 years it’s just a small saving but all the small savings add up

bouicca21

TBH occasionally I run the dishwasher without a tablet.  Hot water can be enough to get things clean…

fatbelly

You can do this quite easily with dishwasher powder - the problem is it's often more expensive to start with.

I stocked up with a load of tablets when Lidl used to put them in their weekend deals - and I've got to like those that are in dissolving film as these things are not nice to handle.

However, they have stopped the weekend deals now so I'd be interested to know the cheapest per wash way to get a proper wash.

London_1

I don't own or have ever owned a dishwasher (I wash up once a day for myself in a bowl) but having a small bridge I do break a denture tablet in half, as it seems an awful waste to use a whole one for 5 small teeth on a bridge .its worked for me for several years. Once clean I then use the rest in any cups that have been stained by tea, or just empty it down the loo I try to use things as my late Mother did and find reusing odds and ends does save a bit here and there

 But then I only use half the recommended amount of liquid in my washing machine, and add a couple of scoops of Boots soda washing crystals to the liquid, and my washing is just as clean. I think the last packet of soda crystals I bought were about 70p for a kilo. None of the 'Calgon' stuff as its far too overpriced , and ordinary washing soda works exactly the same .i've done this for years and my washing machine is always clean and sparkling. The Calgon stuff is heavily advertised and its the adverts you are paying for

I only use white vinegar as a conditioner in my wash as well. My late Father was a chemist, and my late Mum always used soda crystals in her washing, and soda bicarb to clean the inside of a cooker, or with vinergar to keep the kitchen drains clear and clean. My Father used old newspaper screwed up and methylated sprits to clean windows. being brought up in the 1940s-50s old habits die hard
 As Benjamin Franklin wrote a penny saved is a penny earned :0  

JackieO xx