The Truth About Dishwasher Tablets in The Washing Machine

Correctly maintaining your washing machine is key to making sure it lasts as long as possible. The first–and maybe most important–step to do this is keeping it clean, inside and out, so it doesn’t grow mold. Although the market tries to throw plenty of excellent (and expensive!) products your way, you might be wondering: could I put my dishwasher tablets in the washing machine? 

The short answer: You can use dishwasher tablets in the washing machine, but be careful. Certain things must be done to make it work. Doing it the wrong way may leave you with leftover residue, which you will need to clean up afterward. This article will explain more about the effects of using dishwasher tablets, the pros and cons, and what other products we recommend to use. 

How To Properly Use Dishwasher Tablets in The Washing Machine

The temperature of your washing machine

The most important step you need to consider is the temperature of your washing machine. Your average wash program will likely run with water colder than the average dishwasher program. This makes sense of course–your dishes can withstand much higher temperatures than your clothes do. 

Most washing machines typically wash your clothes with temperatures between 90°F and 130°F (30°C – 55°C), but some may only go up to 120°F (50°C). Dishwashers, on the other hand, can reach temperatures as high as 140°F and 180°F (60°C – 80°C). 

However, most washing machines have a wash program specifically designed for cleaning the machine. Temperatures may reach as high as 200°F (95°C), and you will want to use this program while using the tablets. 

Using water that is too cold will cause the dishwasher tablets to not dissolve completely, causing the leftover residue we spoke about earlier. Left untreated, the residue will start to build up, causing your clothes to stain and blockage of your pipes. 

5 Steps to Safely Put Dishwasher Tablets in The Washing Machine

1. Grab two dishwasher tablets and throw them in the inner drum of your washing machine. 
2. Do not put any clothes in the washer during this process. This is just for cleaning your washing machine. 
3. Select the right wash program. Most washing machines have a program specifically designed for cleaning the machine, often called ‘self-clean’, ‘tub clean’, or ‘drum clean’. Otherwise, it is best to run a cycle with the highest possible temperature selected. 
4. Start the washing machine and wait for it to complete the full cycle. 
5. Repeat once every two months. 

Pros and cons of using dish tablets to clean your washing machine

Pros of Using The Tablets

• It can prevent bacteria and mold from building up in your washing machine, thus preventing your clothing from smelling musty after a wash cycle. 
• It properly cleans your washing machine from the inside out. Not only the inner drum, but all the inner parts where the water regularly flows against, and the pipes connected to the washing machine, will be cleaned. 
• It prevents issues caused by hard water. Using these types of tablets will cancel the minerals that are causing hard water, making sure they can’t react and build up over time. 

Cons of Using The Tablets

• May not dissolve when using water that is too cold, causing leftover residue. 
• The tablets can cause a loud, rumbling noise. Luckily, this will only last for about 10 minutes, until the tablets are dissolved. 

Alternatives to Putting Dishwasher Tablets in the Washing Machine

If you don’t have dishwasher tablets lying around–or you simply don’t want to use them in your washing machine–there are other products you can use that are just as effective and cheap as dishwasher tablets. 

White vinegar, with a pH of around 2.5, is highly acidic. This means it will break down various substances you don’t want to build up in your washing machine. Add one or two cups to the drum of your washer, run a cleaning cycle, and you’re done!

Baking soda, with a pH of around 9, runs at the opposite side of the pH scale compared to white vinegar. It is alkaline, thus making it a good product for cleaning your washing machine. Use around 0.5 cups of baking soda in the drum of your washing machine before running a cleaning cycle. 

We have a seperate post about using baking soda in the washing machine. Check it out here.

Nerdy Tip:

Don’t use vinegar and baking soda together at the same time! Since white vinegar and baking soda will cancel each other out, making the end solution a more pH-neutral type of substance, the opposite of what we’re trying to achieve. Instead, use only one substance at a time. 

Remember, you shouldn’t put any clothes in the washer during these cleaning cycles, all recommendations on this page are just for cleaning the washing machine itself!