The best dishwasher pills, according to the OCU

THE TRUTH

The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) has drawn up a list of the best detergents for dishwashers. Although the market is full of different brands and you may not know which one is the most appropriate, this ranking of the best tablets can help you choose the most effective one based on its effectiveness in washing, drying, the final appearance of the dishes, the environmental impact, the facility to distinguish the category and the labeling instructions.

Among other things, the OCU, in addition to a list of the best detergents, also explains a series of tips on its website so that your dishwasher works in optimal conditions:

1- Differences between standard detergents and All in 1: Standard detergents only contain ingredients that clean the dishes (detergent), while All in 1s also provide doses of lime and rinse aid.

2- The All in 1 do not dry completely well: If you want a perfect drying, preserve the shine and completely avoid that ugly glass speckle, add rinse aid in each wash cycle.

3- Vinegar is not a substitute for rinse aid: Vinegar is an acid that causes damage to the dishwasher and dishes in the long run. Its action is not comparable to that of rinse aid.

4- Where do you put the detergent?: The dishwasher has a small drawer, normally located on the inside door of the dishwasher, where the detergent is deposited in any of its formats: tablet, capsule, powder or gel. Once you put it in, make sure that the box is well closed. If it doesn't fit because it's too big, because the drawer is small or broken, you can put it on the bottom of the dishwasher or even in the cutlery basket.

5- Always use the correct dose of detergent: neither more nor less. The option recommended by the manufacturer is usually the best option. An insufficient quantity will not be able to completely remove the dirt from the dishes, while an excessive quantity will not increase the washing efficiency and will be a useless waste of product and a contribution of unnecessary chemical substances to the environment.

6- Wait to open the dishwasher: Wait between 15-30 minutes to open the dishwasher once the washing program ends. If this is not done, the dishes will not finish drying on their own and very visible spots or circles will form on the dishes, especially on the glass.

7- Detergents to clean your dishwasher: The liquids or gels that are sold to clean the inside of your appliance (blades, walls, filters) are not necessary if you clean them regularly and add salt for the dishwasher (especially important in case of that the water in the house is hard).

8- Air fresheners against bad smell: Industrial air fresheners are not necessary. If you use the dishwasher regularly, avoid adding it since you would be adding unnecessary synthetic chemical elements and sometimes allergens to the air.

The best detergents for dishwashers, according to the OCU