When deciding whether to wash dishes in the machine or by hand, the first criterion is the care method the item's manufacturer allows. Then choose the detergent made for that method. Hand-washing liquid and machine tablets are not interchangeable. With either method, load the dishes correctly, use the stated dose and complete the rinsing.
Choose the item first, then the method
Check whether your everyday plates, glasses and pans are dishwasher-safe. The name of the material may not be enough on its own: the decoration on a piece of porcelain, the coating of a pan or the handle of a knife may call for special care. If the manufacturer recommends hand washing, do not override that restriction because your machine has a delicate programme.
Keep the care information from the box of a new piece of kitchenware. That way you can later tell apart pieces that look similar but carry different instructions. Separate out the items that must be washed by hand before you load the machine.
Compare tablets and liquid detergent
| Product | Use | Measure | Key detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher Tablet | Dishwasher | 1 tablet per wash | Remove the protective wrapper and place it in the detergent compartment. |
| Liquid Washing-Up Detergent | Hand washing | 5 ml to 5 litres of water | Do not apply directly to the dishes. |
A pack of Herbaclean Dishwasher Tablets contains 30 tablets, 540 g in total. One tablet is used per wash. Herbaclean Washing-Up Detergent is the liquid option, measured into the hand-washing water. Being "liquid" does not mean it is suitable for the machine's liquid detergent compartment; what matters is the intended use.
Prepare the machine in four steps
- Remove the residue. Scrape off large pieces of food. In its loading guide, Bosch recommends this step instead of pre-rinsing for its own dishwashers; follow the instructions for your own appliance.
- Leave room for water. Do not nest pieces inside one another; check that tall pans and plates are not blocking the spray arms. Position glasses to limit water pooling, in line with the appliance's basket layout.
- Prepare the tablet. Remove the protective wrapper, avoid direct contact with the unwrapped tablet and place one tablet in the detergent compartment.
- Choose the programme. Set the programme according to how soiled the dishes are and what the items can take. Check the salt and rinse aid compartments against your appliance's instructions.
Using a tablet does not mean the need for salt and rinse aid automatically disappears in every machine. The setting of those compartments depends on your appliance and your water conditions. Read the pack's usage information together with the machine's set-up and maintenance instructions.
Measure the mixture when washing by hand
Put five litres of water in the washing-up bowl and add five ml of Herbaclean Washing-Up Detergent. Use the mixture for hand washing; do not squeeze the product straight onto the dishes. Using a measuring tool is a more consistent method than judging the water by eye and adding a different amount of product each time.
Clean with a sponge or cloth suited to the item's care instructions and finish with rinsing. Do not exceed the product's recommended amount. Do not draw conclusions about skin suitability or residue from the product's scent or colour; follow the usage warnings on the packaging.
Judge water and energy use in context
In its own guidance, ENERGY STAR recommends running the machine suitably full and reducing unnecessary pre-rinsing. That said, using a single litre or percentage saving figure for every home and appliance does not make a fair comparison. Take the consumption figures in your machine's programme table as your basis.
Do not think of the eco, quick and intensive programme names as interchangeable. A programme's length does not on its own indicate its consumption. Read the load and soiling conditions of the programme you will use; do not pack the machine so tightly that you block the flow of water. When washing by hand, you can put the preparation, washing and rinsing steps in order so as not to leave the tap running unnecessarily.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put liquid washing-up detergent in the machine?
The Herbaclean liquid product described here is for hand washing. In the machine, use a detergent made for the appliance instead.
Should I remove the tablet wrapper?
Yes. Remove the protective wrapper from the Herbaclean Dishwasher Tablet. Do not carry other products' packaging rules over to this one.
Is it necessary to use two tablets?
The stated amount for this product is one tablet per wash. Rather than increasing the amount for dirty dishes, check the programme and the loading.
Can every steel pan go in the dishwasher?
Alongside the body material, the coating, the handle and the manufacturer's instructions matter too. Check the item's own dishwasher-safe information.