The swirling and scalding hot water in the dishwasher certainly play a significant role in cleaning the dishes. However, dishwashing tablets or detergents are essential for optimal cleaning performance and achieving the best results. Here's why:
Removal of Grease and Oils: Dishwashing tablets contain surfactants that help break down and remove grease, oils, and food residues from the dishes. These residues are often resistant to water alone and need the chemical action of the detergent to be effectively removed.
Effective Cleaning Agents: Dishwashing tablets are formulated with specific cleaning agents that are designed to tackle tough stains and baked-on food particles. They can reach areas that water alone may not be able to penetrate effectively.
Mineral and Limescale Prevention: Some dishwashing tablets include additives to prevent mineral and limescale buildup in your dishwasher. This helps maintain the dishwasher's efficiency and prolong its lifespan.
Sanitization and Hygiene: Dishwashing tablets usually contain ingredients that help sanitize the dishes, eliminating harmful bacteria and ensuring proper hygiene.
Spot and Film Prevention: Many dishwashing tablets have rinse aids and water softeners that help prevent water spots and film from forming on your dishes, leaving them with a sparkling finish.
Consistent Measured Dosage: Using a dishwasher tablet provides a consistent and measured dosage of detergent for each wash cycle. This ensures that the right amount of detergent is used, preventing waste or inadequate cleaning.
While the hot water and mechanical action of the dishwasher are essential for the cleaning process, using a good-quality dishwasher tablet complements these factors and enhances the overall effectiveness of the dishwasher. The combination of hot water, detergent, and mechanical action work together to provide thorough cleaning and excellent results.
If you are concerned about using chemical detergents, you can opt for eco-friendly or phosphate-free dishwasher tablets that are less harmful to the environment and still provide effective cleaning.
In conclusion, while the dishwasher's hot water and agitation are vital for cleaning, using dishwashing tablets or detergents is necessary to achieve optimal results, remove tough stains, sanitize dishes, and prevent mineral buildup.