Best Dishwasher Tablets & Cleaners

Based on 902 reviews
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Power Of 4 Dishwasher Powder

Power Of 4 Dishwasher Powder

4.9 
Summary
  • Product TypePowder
Suzanne Weston
  Verified

Brilliant results wash after wash and delivery by Good Guys Seaford SA unreal. I highly recommend the clothes wash too Show details

Euca Dishwashing Powder

Euca Dishwashing Powder

4.1 
Summary
  • Product TypePowder
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YeahWA3 posts
 

We got a new machine and for the first few months had no issues, everything was clean. But then over time started to notice our glasses have gotten… Read more

cloudy and our cutlery dull. Hard to tell if other dishes are affected because they are white. We have never used any other products in this machine so the usual reply doesn’t apply. Now on the hunt for a new powder that is eco friendly and actually cleans.

Earth Choice All in One Dish Tablets

Earth Choice All in One Dish Tablets

3.2 
Summary
  • Product TypeTablet
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Janice B.WA2 posts
 

After a change of formula the product did not perform. I complained to the company who have now reinstated the original formula. I'm very happy with its performance again. Show details

Ecostore Dishwasher Tablets

Ecostore Dishwasher Tablets

3.6 
Summary
  • Product TypeTablet
Uyen2 posts
  Verified

As another comment has pointed out, this product does leave powder stains on your dishes. Even when I ran hot cycle meant for pots and pans, the… Read more

tablet is not "strong" enough to clean the residue food/oil on my plastic containers and bowls. Will not re-purchase.

Somat Excellence 4-in-1 Gel Caps

Somat Excellence 4-in-1 Gel Caps

3.2 
Summary
  • Product TypeTablet
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Sam Wright18 posts
 

SOMAT DISHWASHER CAPS SAVE MONEY – This is best product for your dishwasher it cleans so perfect and it also keeps my machine clean so I don’t have to buy all the extra cleaning… Read more

products it’s best thing I have purchased in ages. No wonder the other company is trying to shut them down it saves us money and does what it promised the other brand is only half as good.

Koh Dishwashing Tablets

Koh Dishwashing Tablets

3.7 
Summary
  • Product TypeTablet
Rachey17 posts
 

Clean dishes, less nasties from what I understand. Generally find Koh products to be pretty reliable.

Robert JohnVIC135 posts
 

Do not use. Will blow up your dishwasher – Do not use this product under any circumstances as it will form brown sludge and block your whole dishwasher. I used it once and had to run 3… Read more

cleaners on my dishwasher to remove the brown residue/sludge it created. My machine spilled brown water out of it after using this product. The packaging has changed from white to blue now. Don't buy it to save yourself $1.80. I use Aldi logix powder only now and have amazing results without damage to my dishwasher.

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smilingjack11 posts
 

They used to be fine but coles changed the product about 3 months ago and it is just terrible now. you require 2 tablets per wash. More stealing and lying from coles. Use the woolies product instead. Show details

Sheba
 

Bring it back – I am looking here in Perth to get total fresh 3in1,but it is impossible.Can you please tell me where in Melbourne,I can get it.Can I order it as… Read more

well.

Love to use it smells fresh,natural and clean very time I use the dishwasher. Can you tell me where to get it Perth W.A.It does a great job .Cant live without it.

Shine 10 in 1

Shine 10 in 1

2.7 
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LoraineNSW5 posts
 

Fantastic much better than the more expensive brands – Great product much better than the more expensive ones and dishes are a lot drier when the cycle isfinished. Will stick with this product now and save a lot of money in the process

Undo This Mess Dishwashing Tablets

Undo This Mess Dishwashing Tablets

3.6 
Summary
  • Product TypeTablet
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SAdwellerVIC3 posts
 

One of the only two non-fragrant dishwashing tablets – Saw all those 1 star reviews and feel the need to login and defend this product, it's amazing, it washes better than the "polar bear" brand which is also non-fragrant, too bad it's only sold in woolies and not every store has it!

Anthony Shane R.NSW
  Verified

Absolutely brilliant I only bought them because I couldn't get to ALDI to buy my usual ones. To my utter amazement these tables worked wonders,… Read more

better than Aldi's. I even waited to do my next wash before I would believe it was not a fluke and no it was fantastic. Thanks Shine ( or whatever makes you) and thanks Woolworths for bringing this product to my attention. I'll never use another product again.

Fairy Platinum Tablet

Fairy Platinum Tablet

1.9 
Summary
  • Product TypeTablet
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Shikha M.VIC
 

I just cooked a meal and tasted it half way only to taste soap. It brought me to Google to see what it could be as I recently switched over to fairly platinum tablets. I can’t imagine how harmful this would be to ingest

  • Product TypeDishwasher Cleaner
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HijoTasmania23 posts
 

Used first time. Strong smell. Dishwasher still streaky and not clean. Also it stunk out the kitchen. I now can't breathe easily in the kitchen as… Read more

the smell is strong and irritating my throat. I needed allergy pill as nose runs and eyes itch everytime I'm in the kitchen now ever since using this product. Not happy.

Finish
Finish    

Hello Hijo, thank you for your review. We are sorry to… Read more

  • Product TypeTablet
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audslh
 

Worst buy ever. They’re all stuck together in the bag. Gloop everywhere when you try to take one out. Never again Show details

Finish
Finish    

Hello Audslh, thank you for your review. We are sorry to… Read more

Finish Rinse Aid

Finish Rinse Aid

3.0 
MargieQLD
 

Smells terrible – I put Finish rinse aid in my brand new dishwasher. It left a terrible smell in the dishwasher and I can’t get rid of the smell. It leaves a smell on the items in the dishwasher.

Fairy Original All In One

Fairy Original All In One

1.8 
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Mary V.
 

Waste of Money – Did a wash with Fairy tablets and when finished the load was still dirty…. Re did another wash and load still came out dirty…

Wash Wild Dishwasher Powder

Wash Wild Dishwasher Powder

5.0 
Summary
  • Product TypePowder
Joan W.NSW2 posts
 

I bought this because it was the cheapest but it turns out it is excellent. So much better than the plastic filled pods. Will be buying again when I run out (but it seems to be lasting ages as you can vary the dosage) Show details

emdeme71 posts
 

Palm Oil Free and it works – I have been using this for ages, started because it was palm oil free but continue because it works. Not the cheapest but at least trying to do the… Read more

right thing by not using palm oil. You only need a few drops so that helps with the cost. A bit hard to get sometimes though.

Finish Quantum

Finish Quantum

1.6 
Summary
  • Product TypeTablet
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desor2 posts
 

What a rubbish product. Every second wash leaves part of the capsule behind, usually in the dispenser or more recently cliging to the lower wire shelf. You expect more from a product with a hefty price tag. NEVER AGAIN. Show details

Finish
Finish    

Hello Desor, thank you for your review. We are sorry to… Read more

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Michelle
 

I really love how light and easy these sheets are to use and that they don't coat my dishes in chemicals. We used to use Finish tablets which were wrapped in plastic. I’d always feel like I needed to wash my hands after touching them. Show details

natashaNSW22 posts
 

didn’t really work for me – I usually buy a more expensive brand but I wanted to try this with it being a cheaper option and you never know some cheaper options actually do the… Read more

job just as good as known brands however this didn’t even take any marks off my dishwasher door and it left a really strong smell for a few days which I want happy about I could smell it every time I was in the kitchen.

I most likely won’t purchase again

Skipper Naked Dishwasher Tablets

Skipper Naked Dishwasher Tablets

3.7 
Summary
  • Product TypeTablet
JmanLordoVIC2 posts
 

These are fantastic, always get the job done. Easy to use, all their products are environmentally friendly. Great to support an Aussie startup brand. Show details

Kim
 

Horrible dishes came out no cleaner then they went in – They don't work like they claim too. Didn't even budge on the dirt on the dishes. Waste of money wouldn't buy again. Finish and fairy are worth the extra money.

Active Expert Dishwashing Pods

Active Expert Dishwashing Pods

4.0 
Summary
  • Product TypeDishwasher Cleaner
Steve B.19 posts
 

I’ll never buy the expensive brands because I know I’m being robbed, the cheapest is a powder that costs just a few cents a wash but leaves a nasty… Read more

residue on glasses. Active Expert Pods are the cheapest pods I’ve found and I can’t fault them. Always clean, no residue and no spots. My new go to.

Finish Ultimate Plus

Finish Ultimate Plus

2.3 
Summary
  • Product TypeTablet
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Not Happy Jan!VIC46 posts
 

After seeing the ads on TV I finally thought give the balls a go rather than Finish powder. What a disappointment. Terrible results. Plus expensive. Will never buy again and will go back to the powder. Show details

Finish
Finish    

Hello , Not Happy Jan!, thank you for your review. We are… Read more

  • Product TypePowder
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Steve T
  Verified

I’ve stopped using this product. It used to be great, now it’s very poor and leaves a lot of food bits and residue. The biggest problem is that the… Read more

powder turns into concrete lumps and most stays rock hard in the dishwasher dispenser. Will never use again.

SeamusNSW100 posts
 

I did use mine on the Long cycle and I was impressed – Hi product reviewers, I am currently trying out 4 different dishwashing tablets in my new washer using my new solar energy. Basically I get the was… Read more

for the cost of the tablet as I set the washer to run during the day.

Because I am out during the day and the electricity is free I wash on hot and long. I was really happy with Glitz, it's very cheap and did an outstanding job.

I will put it up against a named brand that is expensive and see if I can spot the difference.

I will let the readers know about the expensive stuff, but for me Glitz is good for purpose.

Finish Gel

Finish Gel

1.4 
Summary
mel m.NSW6 posts
 

Doesn't do the job its cr#p leaves everything dirty and streaks all over it Show details

Finish
Finish    

Hello Mel M, thank you for your review. We are sorry to… Read more

JatACT5 posts
 

Don't desolve! – The tablets dont desolve even in hot water...waste of money.....dont work.just about the whole tablet is left sitting in the washer..should be giving out refunds.back to finish i guess.cheap for a reason.

Types of dishwasher detergents

A close up shot of a man putting a dishwasher tablet into a dishwasher dispenser

A dishwasher tablet is a concentrated dose of dishwashing powder that is placed into the dishwasher drawer or, in some cases, placed with the dishes.

Pros
They come in pre-measured doses, so you don’t need to fuss with measurements - saving you time and effort.
Because they’re contained tablets, you’re less likely to make a mess.
They usually contain a rinse aid that makes the tablet a more effective cleaner - this rinse aid is the red ball you see in the centre of many dishwasher tablets.
Cons
They’re usually the most expensive dishwashing option.
They come in a fixed dose so you can’t adjust the amount for different sized loads.
They sometimes require longer rinsing cycles to get rid of residue.

A dishwasher powder is scooped into the dishwasher dispenser and dissolved with water to create a foamy solution that cleans dishes.

Pros
They’re generally the cheapest dishwashing option.
Powder is easily rinsed by your dishwasher.
Dishwashing powder has a long shelf life, so you have plenty of time to use it before it expires.
You can choose your own dose of powder, so you can use less when you wash less - this could save you even more money.
Cons
It can be difficult to get the dosage right - if you use too much powder, there may be residue on your dishes after washing them, while your dishes may not be properly cleaned if you use too little powder.
Powder is usually more messy and likely to spill than tablets and gels.
Loose powder might be left on the floor, making it a safety hazard for small children or pets who might ingest it.
In some cases, powder can damage more delicate dishes, such as crystalware.

A dishwasher gel is a water-based detergent that is poured into the dishwasher dispenser.

Pros
Because gel is water-based, it doesn’t need time to dissolve in water, and is also less likely to damage more fragile crockery.
Gel is easier to clean and easier to pour into the dishwasher drawer than powder.
There’s a lower likelihood that residue will be left on your dishes when using gel.
Cons
Gel can’t be used in all dishwashers.
Because they’re not as popular, there are less products on the market to choose from.
It can be difficult to do consistent doses when pouring.

What is rinse aid?

A rinse aid is an extra product you can buy that is placed in the corresponding compartment of the dishwasher dispenser. It’s used in your machine’s rinse cycle to get rid of food residue and detergent, and is also effective in preventing water spots and film from forming on your crockery.

What to look for in dishwasher detergents

Ingredients

It’s generally recommended to avoid phosphates - they’re one of the kitchen cleaning chemicals that have been used for decades because of their effective cleaning ability, however they’re bad news for the environment, as they remain in wastewater and cause algae bloom.

Phthalates and parabens are also chemicals that can be toxic for humans - it’s easy to find products that don’t have these ingredients.

For those with the environment in mind, there are dishwasher detergents that are cruelty-free and don’t test on animals, and you can also find some that don’t contain palm oil or any animal products at all.

Ease of use

Tablets offer more in terms of convenience, as you have to measure out doses with powders and gels, however they are more expensive - you’ll have to think about whether the trade off is worth it for you.

Price

Prices for dishwasher tablets, powders, and gels vary. Costs vary from 5c per wash to up to $1 per wash - powders are at the lower end of this range while tablets generally cost more.

Dishwasher cleaners

It might seem ironic that a machine used to clean dishes needs a clean itself, but dishwashers do need regular cleaning to ensure they run smoothly. Grease, grime, soap scum, and limescale can accumulate in parts of the dishwasher, particularly in hard-to-reach areas such as the filter, spray arms, pipes, water pump, and drain.

Dishwasher cleaners usually come in pods or tablets, which cost anywhere from 88c to $3.33 each, or liquids, which usually range between $1.10 to $3.20 per 100mL.

Generally speaking, it’s recommended to use a dishwasher cleaner monthly. However, while a dishwasher cleaner is a great way to clear out the gunk in your machine, if you’re keeping up with regular cleaning and maintenance, then you may be fine using a natural oven cleaner, such as white vinegar, to clean your dishwasher.

Some of the cleaning practices you can implement to keep your dishwasher in tip top condition include:

  • Daily: scrape large food particles into the bin, leave the door ajar to air it out and help minimise mould and odours, use a high quality dishwasher detergent.
  • Weekly: clean grime from around dishwasher seals, clean out the internal filter.
  • Monthly: wipe down the exterior with a cloth or paper towel and soapy water or an all-purpose cleaner, fill up the rinse aid dispenser.
  • Annually: run the dishwasher on its hottest cycle while it’s empty, check spray arms.

If you haven’t got a dishwasher and are considering buying one, or are looking to upgrade from your current model, you can read user reviews and our guides on what to look for when choosing a dishwasher here.