For reasons of hygiene and safety, personal grooming products, cosmetics or items of intimate clothing cannot be returned. However, some cleaning experts say this tip could do more damage than good to your machine, which is why we’d suggest a specially designed washing machine cleaner for the job instead. What are the best dishwasher tablets to buy? ALDI Magnum Dishwasher Tablets keep cropping up on the Mumsnet forums, with many Mumsnetters saying how effective these tablets were. And at 11p a tablet, they’re budget-friendly to boot. The plant based ingredients are specially formulated in making the all-in-one tablet that gives you sparkling glasses and cutlery.

The lemon-scented all-in-one capsules come with integrated salt and rinse aid, promising to remove tough stains and leave your dishes and glassware sparkling and streak-free. (And on the subject of sparkling, don't miss our guide to the best glass cleaners) Caring for your dishwasher will also boost the cleanliness of your dishes. Stop the filter clogging by scraping off food residue from your plates and bowls before you load it. We recommend cleaning the filter regularly too, ideally after every use, but once a week should suffice.Dishwashing tablets come in various formations and combinations that you may have a hard time chowing the best for you. If you are looking for a dishwasher tablet that will leave your dishes sparkling and spotless, this is one to consider. Astonish makes a range of budget-friendly cleaning products, and their dishwasher tablets are excellent value. The UltraTabs come in a water-soluble casing, so there are no plastic wrappers to throw away, and they’re phosphate-free, making them better for the environment. With rinse aid, salt and glassware protection, your glassware, including champagne glasses, should come out sparkling every time.

If you’re not a fan of strong-smelling cleaning products, suffer from allergies or just want to avoid the odour that can be left behind on dishes or glasses, then Finish 0% Dishwasher Tablets could be your solution. No matter what dishwasher tablets you use, if your machine is dirty you’ll never get the best results. Some dishwasher cleaners require you to put the dishwasher on empty, which can be frustrating when you have piles of dirty plates waiting to go in. However, Finish has developed the In-Wash tablets so that you can clean your dishes at the same time. I use Fairy Platinum Plus [tablets] which do the job.” (Recommended by Mumsnet user username4214) Our verdict As well as being really good value, they also work just as well as other more expensive brands, leaving dishes clean and glasses streak-free and gleaming, even on a short cycle. These triple-chamber tablets not only save you time on rinsing and cleaning but also help care for your dishwasher with built-in detergent, salt and anti-corrosive ingredients.

Why you should trust us

The lemon-and-lime-scented tablets come in boxes made from 100% recycled cardboard and they are also cruelty-free while promising to be tough on grease and dried-on food. If you’re trying to make your home more environmentally-friendly, Ecover’s Classic Dishwasher Tablets are made with renewable plant-based and mineral ingredients.

After placing a dishwasher tablet in the dispenser (or in the bottom of your dishwasher) and selecting the wash cycle you want, many of us don’t spare a thought for how dishwasher tablets actually work. But here’s how those small tablets get your dishes, cutlery and pans sparkling. As well as the above ingredients, some dishwasher tablets may also contain disintegrants (which allows the tablet to dissolve in the wash), rinse aid (which prevents watermarks) and scented fragrances. Ecover is an environmentally safe dishwasher tablet that makes use of safer plant-based and mineral alternatives. Unwanted Food or Drink Products - Once supply conditions are broken, there are a number of factors outside of our control that can affect the quality of a product. Therefore perishable goods such as food and drink cannot be returned. I’ve just [bought] Astonish Dishwasher Tablets. They’re really good!” (Recommended by Mumsnet user Gilead) Our verdictThe best dishwasher tablets to buy are the Finish Quantum Ultimate. They come with built-in rinse aid and salt actions, promising to cut through grease and baked-on food the first time round while protecting glasses from water spots to leave them gleaming.