Dishwasher fresheners

Even regular cleaning of household appliances will not get rid of bacteria and mold. Especially when it comes to dirty dishes that have been inside the machine for a long time. You can achieve perfect cleanliness and overcome unpleasant odors only with the help of dishwasher fresheners. Why these products are effective and which brand to choose for optimal results will be discussed in detail in the article.

How does the air freshener work?

The dishwasher freshener “works” on the principle of sprayers or washing machine fragrances of the same name. They absorb unpleasant odors and, due to their aromatic structure, fill the air with a “delicious” aroma. Only the appearance differs - dishwasher options are small plastic containers filled with a liquid or gel product. But the result is the same: when you open the machine door, you feel not musty, but fruity or floral notes.

Dishwasher fresheners are often citrus fruits: lemon, lime and orange.

The nuances of using the air freshener are always indicated on the packaging. The manufacturer also states how many cycles the flavor will last. As a rule, the product is enough for 20-30 washing cycles, but the intensity of the odor emanating from the container varies. So, at first the aroma is strong and persistent, but after 10-15 uses the effect decreases significantly. But everything is logical: the faster the gel is washed out of the box, the less the result is felt. Much also depends on proper fastening, since when installing the rinse aid in the wrong place, for example, under direct streams of water, its “life” is reduced to 5-6 washes.

With a freshener, the dishes will become even cleaner, as will the machine itself. Especially if the machine is old, and the dirt accumulated on its walls is no longer washed out in the standard way, but only requires replacement or complete disassembly of the case. It is also recommended to use the fragrance for those who have the sin of storing dirty plates inside the dishwasher for 2-3 days. During this time, bacteria have time to multiply and fill the entire chamber, so leaving food remains in the unit is strictly prohibited. For those who do not yet understand the full scale of the consequences, we suggest imagining a situation with a sink filled with garbage for the same 3 days. It is logical that water alone cannot cope with the accumulated odor and mold.

What funds does the market offer?

The demand for air fresheners is just beginning to emerge, so manufacturers are trying to expand their range of flavors. So far, hardware stores offer a limited number of products, but among them there are both high-quality and poorly performing brands. Let's give a brief overview.

Odswiezacz do zmywarek from General Fresh is a Polish air freshener with a flow rate of 20 cycles. Available in three flavors: mint, apple and lemon. One plate will cost about $1.
Fresh Plus-Dishwasher is an Italian fragrance that can absorb unpleasant odors inside the dishwasher, filling the chamber and dishes with a noticeable lemon aroma. One package costs about $6, but has two plates at once. Moreover, one bracket is enough for 40 cycles, which is twice as long as cheap analogues.
Somat Duo are special drop-shaped capsules that hang on the rack inside the dishwasher. A package of one air freshener costs about $2.The flavoring is enough for 60 cycles, and there is only one “flavor” - lemon and orange. Manufacturer – Germany.
Finish Lemon and Lime is a product that can neutralize accumulated unpleasant odors, providing a more “tasty” lemon and lime aroma. Does not remain on the surface of dishes or the walls of the dishwasher. Easy to use: just secure or hang the container on the grill, making sure that the flavor does not block the spray arms or dispenser. Changes after 60 cycles. The cost of one package starts from $2.

Using a freshener is not a substitute for cleaning your dishwasher.

The brands “Topperr” and “Frisch-aktiv” have also proven themselves to be excellent. Some manufacturers offer a comprehensive option. For example, "Dr. Beckmann produces dishwasher cleaners that also have fragrance properties.

Owner's opinion

Elena, Moscow

I use a special dishwasher freshener from Finish. I chose this brand right away, since both the detergent tablets and the salt rinse aid are also from this manufacturer. And after a long time of use I can say that this thing is super! After dinner, we load plates and pans into the machine, but don’t turn it on, but leave it until it’s fully loaded. Sometimes you have to wait 2-3 days, which is why I had to buy a flavoring agent.

But now everything is simple: while the dishes are waiting their turn, we do not suffer from an unpleasant odor. The air freshener is so strong that when you open the door you immediately smell a pleasant citrus aroma. Just lemon and nothing else.

At first I didn’t believe it myself. I thought that the pictures on the back of the packaging were just an advertising ploy, but now I’m convinced that this is so.Without exaggeration, I can say that the product “works” and eliminates all unpleasant odors even after the dishes have been left idle for 3 days.

I'm pleased with the ease of use. The packaging is easy to open, as there is a special corner. Then you get the container itself with the provided fastening in the form of a clothespin. With its help, the flavor is installed on the basket. The main thing is to make sure that the freshener does not come under direct streams of water, otherwise the gel will be washed out too quickly. I myself made mistakes several times and put the capsule on the top shelves, in the tray for forks and spoons, until I saw the visual instructions on the back of the package. Now I place the freshener in the front, so it does not touch the walls of the machine, dishes, or sprinklers.

There is no need to count the number of remaining cycles. Due to the transparent walls of the capsule, it is easy to control the emptying of the gel and change it to another cassette in time. The decreasing intensity of the smell also helps to remember about replacement. While the container is new, the aroma is very strong and persistent, but as the product is washed out, the lemon becomes weaker.

For me, the air freshener has become a real lifesaver. Now instead of an unpleasant smell there is a delicious “lemon”, and using the dishwasher is easier and more convenient.

My Finish costs about $2, but the price tag often depends on the seller. Sometimes I buy an analogue - a freshener from Calgonit.

The fragrance is used economically, and we change it every 4-5 months. The instructions indicate that a capsule is enough for 60 cycles, but with our washes once every 3 days it turns out to be as much as 120-150 days. It's very cheap!