2mo ago

Dishwasher tablets that don't come with loads of plastic?

I'm always looking for ways to reduce my plastic waste, and manufacturer's always seem to be trying to find ways to trick me.

I normally get the Lidl dishwasher tablets as they are the only brand that appears to come plastic free, cardboard box, and tablets wrapped in a dissolvable cellulose film. However sometimes I can't get there as its not always convenient.

Latest was CoOp that sold a cardboard box of tablets, but then each tablet was bloody wrapped in plastic, which is probably worse than just a plastic bag of the bastards.

Does anyone else know of brands that are safe to buy because they won't try to trick you with hidden plastics?

47 comments

Use powder...
tablets contain anywhere from 2x to 4x the detergent you need
tablets only work in the main wash cycle and so you have no detergent for the first wash cycle
powder is substantially less expensive
- and powder can combine base and acidic ingredients (tablets can, too), unlike liquid, and can be had in cardboard containers instead of plastic jugs. It's honestly the all around winner
  
  And when you buy the liquid, you're paying to have half the product replaced with water. And then there is the extra shipping cost for that water, and the packaging has to be more robust to prevent leaks.
  Liquid detergent where the primary ingredient is water is a fucking scam.
- Thank you for the advice.
- This. I was having issues with clean dishes and it was because of the tablets - especially the fancy expensive Cascade ones with 2 liquids and a powder in them. If I use the cheapest liquid or powder and keep the rinse aid filled, my dishwasher works great. Also, make sure you clean the filter and the inside of the dishwasher regularly (at least once a month):
  Take the filter out, soak in vinegar for an hour or so and clean with a sponge. Wipe the inside of the dishwasher, the rubber gaskets, the soap tray with a sponge and vinegar/water mixture. Run the dishwasher on a hot cycle with a cup of vinegar in the top rack.
  
  ...t there's a filter?
  good god.
- I tried this recently after watching that TechnologyConnections video and it was a complete failure.
  The dishes came out with this white dusty film all over them that they didn’t have with tablets.
  I tried less powder, more powder, a little more powder on the open door to be in the first cycle and made sure my rinse aid was topped up.
  
  How much powder did you put in? It really takes very little...
  
  Have you tried liquid detergent?
  
  Hmm, I just use about 15ml of powder and that does the trick. What powder are you using?

Are you dead set on tablets? If not you can just get the powder. It’s the same thing as what’s in the tablet.
- Not really set on it. I've already chatted to the partner about it switching it up for just powder, which we are in agreement with.
  Thanks!
  
  If your dishes end up more spotty than with pods, it's likely that you're using more powder than you need to be, FYI.
  Most people who don't watch nerdy videos on the internet about dishwashers tend to use more powder than needed.
- Does it come with a pack of disposable cellulose spoons of some sort?
  
  Usually they just have a little spout

Checkout fill refill, who do powder in a big container. When it's empty, you send the big tin back to them and they refill it send it back to you.
https://www.fillrefill.co/product/dishwash-powder-5kg-home-refill/
- I like that, I like that a lot.
  This would have answered my last question on here about refillables.
  My local refillable requires capacity to be printed on the bottle. I have no odes why they can't just weigh the container, fill it and weigh it again for an amount.
  If these do, then it'll help with that too.
  https://feddit.uk/post/16277549

I order mine from https://smol.com/uk. They come in a cardboard packet which fits through the letterbox. I was also fed up with the ridiculous and unnecessary amount of plastic in the supermarket equivalents.

I just get the powder from Sainsbury’s.
I find I get better results, as I can kinda dial in how much is needed. It means I can put some in the pre wash too.
Just remember that if you're using powder, the salt/rinse aid need filling separately.
Morrisons own brand tabs only have the cellulose wrapper, if that's what your definitely after.
- I'm in the south, so our water is 50/50 chalk anyway!
- Interesting, I've been to Lidl, and Tescos and neither have a dishwasher powder. I'm going to try Sainsburys, but so far I haven't found anywhere that carries a powder.

Aldi still have the cardboard box and cellular film tablets. As with Lidl, these do run out quite regularly. I've started getting a box whenever I see them, rather than when I run low, just in case. I've only rarely had to resort to the pouches.
- Aldi is unfortunately quite far for me. I have at least 2 Lidls I would have to pass before I get there, I will bare that in mind though whenever I'm over that end of town.

If you haven't already, try and find a zero waste shop near you, the kind of place where you take your own containers and fill it up with what you need.
Me and my partner made it a part of our routine to visit once a month, and we have successfully replaced a bunch of our household items with zero plastic options.

Aldis ones are much the same as Lidl, cardboard box and the tablets are just inside

I just use powder, it’s way cheaper and just as effective, also you can be more economical with it as you don’t need a full tablets worth of powder for most washes. The only thing I miss is the powder I have is designed for commercial use and is unscented - doesn’t affect the cleaning but the chemical smell isn’t the best when you open the dishwasher. But on the other hand you’re not paying for perfume you don’t actually need - also you avoid the environmental impact in perfume manufacturer too.

Do you have powdered detergent in the UK? Try that. I switched over entirely. You just need to experiment with dosage a little.

(edit, for clarity, I'm in the US)
I just use Nellie's dish powder. They're Canadian, but it just comes in a big 1.5L tin. The only plastic is the reusable scoop, and the local refillery will refill it when you run out. Check local refilleries in your area, they are a bit more expensive, but generally have high quality products and little to no plastic waste.

Have you heard of dishwasher sheets? There's a few companies making them now, these are the Australian brand I use sheets
- I have seen the washing machine sheets, of basically dried soap.
  Seems like an interesting idea for dishwashers.
  
  These are meant to be even safe for septic tanks! They do dishwasher sheets too!

Check out SMOL they do a good range of eco plastic free household stuff.

I use Finish brand, individually wrapped in rice paper - looks like plastic but dissolves in the water. Many others are the same. I doubt that plastic wrapped ones are trying to trick you, they tell you to remove the plastic - they don't want to get complaints about clogged dishwashers. In fact this is probably the reason most manufacturers use the rice paper, people dodn't read instructions. You can also get a box of powder you pour into the little cup.
- No, these are definitely plastic wrapped not soluble.
  
  Sorry you got the wrong kind - anyway the ones that dissolve are very common.
  
  Not soluble?! I fear something is wrong with your machine, water not hot enough or something. I've never heard of someone having to dig the plastic wrapper out. Hell, that would make a mess melting on the heating coil.

47 comments