9 Surprising Things You Should Clean With Dishwasher Tablets

Dishwasher detergent tablets are powerful and convenient little tools for fighting grease and grime on dishes and utensils, but maybe you—like me—didn't know that this kitchen mainstay is just as versatile as it is mighty.

As it turns out, you can—and definitely should—use them for all kinds of cleaning needs besides just dirty dishes. From the air fryer to the oven, here’s how to revolutionize your kitchen chores with powder or gel dish detergent tablets.

1. Deep Clean Your Air Fryer

Have you noticed annoying stuck-on food in your air fryer basket? Dishwasher tablets to the rescue! Simply set one inside the basket, then pour boiling water over it. Let the detergent do its work for ten minutes, then dump the basket in the sink and rinse with water. Easy, right?

2. Erase Gunk From Pots and Pans

Scrubbing scorched residue from pots, pans, and baking sheets is time-consuming and frustrating, but a dishwasher tablet can make the job a whole lot easier. Add a tablet to the offending item, pour in hot water, and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Then, dump the water in your sink and use your sponge or dish brush to remove any remaining gunk.

3. Conquer Stinky Garbage Disposals

Your garbage disposal can quickly develop offensive odors if food debris gets stuck inside. It’s easy (and fast!) to clean your disposal by tossing in a dishwasher tablet and running hot water through it with the motor running. The soap and water will help remove any lingering food bits, cut through grease and grime, and tackle any gross odors inside the disposal.

4. Refresh Your Trash Can

You could spend 20 minutes inside your filthy trash can scrubbing it with a sponge and dish soap. Or, you could let a dishwasher tablet do most of the dirty work for you. After you empty the trash, drop a dishwashing tablet in the bottom, then fill the bin with hot water. Let the can enjoy a spa treatment for up to an hour, dump the dirty water, and wipe away any remaining residue inside before drying with a clean rag.

5. Mop Your Floors

The next time you mop your kitchen floors, add a dishwasher tablet to a bucket of warm water. Just like inside your dishwasher, the soapy mixture will help fight grease and tackle stains on your floors. The added benefit is that you don't need to keep a separate cleaning product on hand for floors. Note: Do not use dish soap on hardwood floors as it can strip oils from the wood and leave soap residue behind.

6. Shine Up Your Silverware

Want to polish streaky or tarnished cutlery? Try dissolving a dishwasher tablet in a sink or large bowl full of hot water, then add your dirty silverware. After an hour or two, scrub the utensils with a sponge or brush, then rinse and dry. 

7. Make Your Sink Sparkle

If you have a powdered dishwasher tablet on hand, you can use it to scour away any and all stuck-on gunk from inside your sink basin. Or, you can close the drain of your sink, fill it with water, and dissolve a gel dishwasher tablet in it to loosen hard-to-clean gunk before scrubbing with a brush or sponge.

8. Clean Inside Your Oven

There's no need for harsh and smelly chemicals next time you clean your oven. Instead, dip a powdered dishwasher tablet in hot water, then use it to scour your oven floor, walls, or even inside the glass door. When you’re finished, wipe away the grime with a wet cloth. So easy!

9. Give Tile Grout a Once-Over

You don’t necessarily need a fancy specialty cleaner to refresh your backsplash grout. Instead, make a cleaning paste with a powdered dishwasher tablet. Just add the tablet to a bowl with a bit of hot water until it forms a paste. Apply the paste to the grout lines with a detail brush, allow it to sit for 15 minutes, then wipe it away with a wet cloth.

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