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Dishwasher tablets that don't come with loads of plastic? (feddit.uk)

submitted 1 month ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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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?

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[–] [email protected] 37 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (4 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 month ago (1 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 month ago

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.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Thank you for the advice.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

...t there's a filter?

good god.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago

Not always, fancier units have a macerator that shreds everything instead, which is way less gross unless it breaks

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago (4 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago

How much powder did you put in? It really takes very little...

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Have you tried liquid detergent?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago

I have not. I’ll give that a shot.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago

Hmm, I just use about 15ml of powder and that does the trick. What powder are you using?