Which is better for dishwashing powder or tablets?

tablets or powder for PMM Having purchased a dishwasher, owners of new appliances are wondering what is better to use: tablets, powder or gel for the dishwasher. Indeed, it is not easy to decide on the choice of product, especially if you have never used it at all. Let's try to figure out what is more profitable and does its job better without harming our health.

Let's compare the composition of the funds

The first thing a consumer pays attention to is the price, but we believe that the first factor of choice should be the composition of the product. That is why we will compare what is included in powdered, liquid and tablet dishwasher detergents.

The main component of any product, including powder, is surfactants, which break down stains on dishes. In addition to this substance, the powder includes:

oxygen bleach;
enzymes that improve the breakdown of stubborn stains;
water softening soda;
subtilisin, which breaks down protein foods;
sometimes phosphates;
preservatives;
chlorine;
fragrances to give a pleasant aroma.

This composition may differ in the concentration of substances from different manufacturers, and some substances may be completely absent. The fewer components in the detergent, the absence of chlorine, phosphates and enzymes, the more environmentally friendly it is. But the absence of strong chemicals can affect the quality of dishwashing. Therefore, some powders wash dishes better, others worse.

Dishwasher tablets have a similar chemical composition. However, tablets with multifunctional action, for example, 3 in 1 or 5 in 1, contain, in addition to the above substances, also agents that make dishes shine. Thanks to them, there are no drips or streaks. In addition, one of the layers of the tablet is salt, which must be added to the dishwasher to soften the water and prevent scale formation.

As for gels, they also contain all the same components, only in a viscous liquid state. Rinsing agents can be added to gels, as well as to tablets.

The main difference between the gel and other products is the absence of abrasive components. Dense particles of powder or tablets may not dissolve, but this does not happen with the gel.

So, in terms of composition, tablets are more different from all products, since they immediately contain dishwasher salt and rinse aid. But in terms of environmental friendliness, they can all be different. There are IVF products among powders, as well as among gels and tablets. Here everything will depend on the manufacturer.

Advantages and disadvantages

Let's consider other features of detergents, highlighting their pros and cons. So, the benefits of tablet products on the face:

they include all the necessary components, there is no need to additionally take salt and rinse aid;
they are dosed in such a way that it is enough to put one tablet on one sink;
each tablet has individual packaging, which prevents the release of substances into the environment during storage;
have a variety of packaging of 20, 40 and even 120 pieces.

However, consumers are often deterred from purchasing this product by its disadvantages:

high price, especially for tablets from well-known manufacturers. But if you compare it with the amount you have to spend on three products purchased separately, the difference is small;
not all tablets dissolve equally well;
they often contain phosphates, which many experts say are harmful;
if necessary, reduce the dosage of the drug; not all tablets break easily;
Not all dishwashers have a tablet compartment.

Despite the convenience of using tablets for PMM, powders and gels also have their advantages:

powdered products are cheaper;

Even if you buy salt, rinse aid and gel (powder) separately, they will last longer than tablets bought with the same money.

the powder is universal, dissolves faster than a tablet and is suitable for any dishwasher;
With powder, you can save on salt by adding it not every wash, especially if you have a region with soft water.

As for the disadvantages, powders also have many of them:

better washing results can be achieved if you use all the products from one manufacturer, which is not always easy to do;
when poured into a tray, the powder generates dust, releasing harmful substances into the air;
it is not so convenient to store it, especially in cardboard packaging, as it can spill;
you need to select the dosage, if you overdo it with the powder, too much foam will form in the machine, and this can lead to equipment breakdown.

Users' opinions

Elvira, Moscow

I take Sun Classik tablets, they are inexpensive and work much better than Finish powder. Another plus is that they are convenient to use, and I can save a lot of money, because I take a huge package of 105 pieces. I won’t praise it, try it yourself and see for yourself. After I started using these pills, I gave all the other products to my friends.

Oksana, Moscow

My favorite is the Feed Back tablet. They dissolve well, wash cleanly, are inexpensive and can be cut in half. These tablets are made in Italy and are sold in packages of 15, 30 and 60 pieces. I recommend!

Yana, Naryan-Mar

I have a narrow dishwasher, so I don’t use tablets, since they contain a very large dosage of detergent. I prefer the powder, since you can choose the dose to suit yourself. Lately I have been using Finish brand powders, although other products have satisfied me with the quality. Tablets are always more expensive, so by buying powder, I also save a lot.

Ekaterina, Moscow

I have nothing against powder, but I don’t use it because it’s inconvenient. At first, when we first purchased the dishwasher, I didn’t know an alternative to the powder, but quite often when I poured it into the tray, I spilled it on the floor. It’s much more convenient with tablets and capsules, and they work no worse, in some ways even better. From my point of view, powder is a thing of the past!

Marina, Ekaterinburg

I don’t like powders because they are ineffective and leave streaks, but I also don’t buy tablets because they are expensive. The best option is Finish gel. It cleans dishes better than anyone else and leaves no streaks or chemical smell at all. I recommend it to all my friends!

Polina, St. Petersburg

Pills, pills and more pills, there is no better remedy. I use Finish tablets, but I tried it a little earlier BioMio dishwasher tablets, they are also very good. Any dishes sparkle clean, there have never been any misfires during washing. Five points!

So, how many people, so many opinions. It is difficult to answer this question unambiguously; there are too many factors. Until you try each of the remedies yourself, you will not decide for yourself which is better. The main thing is, don’t forget to read the instructions for the equipment, look at what the manufacturer recommends, maybe tablets are not your option at all.