If your water is very hard, don’t assume an all-in-one tablet means you can skip dishwasher salt and rinse aid. First, check the hardness of your local water supply and set your dishwasher according to its manual. Stick with the convenience of tablets if they’re compatible and give you good results, or consider separate products to adjust softening and rinsing individually.
If your water’s hydrotimetric titre (TH) is above 30 °F, first check your dishwasher’s softener settings and the instructions for using salt. Bosch and the Pays de la Loire Regional Health Agency classify water at this level as very hard.
All-in-one tablets make your routine simpler, but you should use them in line with your dishwasher’s instructions. With very hard water, also check whether you still need separate salt and rinse aid.
If white marks persist, check the TH and your settings before switching products. For some cases of white deposits, Miele support recommends a non-multifunction detergent alongside separate salt and rinse aid. Follow the instructions for your specific model.
With very hard water, first find out the TH of your local water supply and check your dishwasher’s manual. You can then weigh up the convenience of a tablet against the flexibility of adjusting products separately.
Consider these if: your manual allows this format and you’re happy with the washing and drying results.
Bear in mind: a single dose doesn’t let you adjust every function separately. Bosch warns that a tablet may not be enough in hard water.
Consider these if: you need to adjust washing, softening or rinsing separately, depending on your dishwasher’s features.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to measure out the detergent and keep an eye on the salt and rinse aid reservoirs.
| Factor | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Softener settings | Find the salt reservoir and the hardness level that corresponds to the TH in your model’s manual. Bosch notes that settings vary between appliances. | I want to set my dishwasher for the water actually supplied to my home before deciding which products to add. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise this. |
| Tablet convenience | Check your manual for instructions on using all-in-one products and the guidance for the programme you use. | I’m happy to use one dose per cycle if the results are good, without assuming that the functions built into the tablet always replace separate products. Around 29% of consumers would prioritise this. |
| Products you can adjust | Check that your dishwasher has salt and rinse aid reservoirs, then choose a detergent that suits the routine described in your manual. | If I’m getting marks or disappointing drying results, I’d rather be able to adjust washing and rinsing separately. Around 21% of consumers would put this adjustment first. |
| Checking the TH | Check your local authority’s water quality results and identify which supply network serves your home if there’s more than one. A test strip can provide an additional check. | Before choosing my dishwasher products, I want to know how hard the water coming into my home is, rather than relying on how much limescale I think I can see. Around 14% of consumers would make this their priority. |
Bosch says a tablet may not be enough in hard water. Finish also recommends using separate salt and rinse aid in areas with very hard water. These are manufacturers’ recommendations, so check them against your dishwasher’s manual.
If your TH is above 30 °F, check the hardness setting and your model’s instructions before changing your routine.
Dishwasher salt is designed for the salt reservoir and softening system. Bosch recommends using salt specially made for this purpose.
Choose a product labelled for dishwashers and only add it to the designated reservoir, following the instructions in your manual.
The water hardness to take into account is that of the water supplied to your home. The health ministry provides test results for each local authority area, while the setting you need depends on your dishwasher model.
Find the TH for your supply network, then refer to the settings table in the manual for your appliance.
Anses has warned about the risks to children from exposure to liquid dishwasher capsules.
Keep capsules in their closed packaging, out of children’s reach, and follow the precautions on the label.
A dishwasher products brand to consider if you’re comparing multifunction tablets with using salt and rinse aid separately.
If you own a Bosch dishwasher, the brand’s resources can help you understand how water hardness, appliance settings and dishwasher products work together.
Miele support can help owners of its appliances investigate white deposits or poor drying results.
These products are designed for three different tasks: filling the salt reservoir, adding rinse aid or using a multifunction capsule. The right combination depends on the TH, which compartments your dishwasher has and the instructions for your model. In very hard water, a capsule doesn’t automatically replace the other two products.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if your dishwasher has a salt reservoir and its manual recommends using dishwasher salt for your water. This pack contains 4 bags of 1 kg. Add the salt to the dedicated reservoir; it doesn’t replace detergent.
Image unavailable
Consider this if you want to adjust rinsing separately, particularly if marks or poor drying results persist. This bottle contains 500 ml. Pour the product into the rinse aid compartment and adjust the dosage according to your manual. It isn’t a detergent. Avoid contact with eyes and keep out of children’s reach.
Image unavailable
For a single-dose routine, if your dishwasher is compatible with multifunction capsules. The pack contains 24 capsules. If your TH is above 30 °F, check your manual to see whether you still need separate salt and rinse aid. Keep capsules out of children’s reach and follow the precautions on the packaging.
Check the drinking water test results provided by the health ministry, then look for the TH, or hydrotimetric titre, of the supply network serving your home. If your area has several networks, check which one applies to you. A test strip can provide an additional check before you consult your appliance’s settings table.
Choose the setting for your TH shown in your model’s manual, rather than relying on a number that applies to every dishwasher. Bosch classifies water above 30 °F as very hard, but notes that settings vary between appliances. Check your exact model before changing the setting.
No, not in every situation. Bosch says a tablet may not be enough in hard water, while Finish recommends separate products in areas with very hard water. Check what your manual says about multifunction tablets, then consider your washing and drying results.
Use salt labelled for dishwashers instead. Bosch recommends salt specially designed for this reservoir. Follow your appliance’s manual when refilling it, too.