Dishwasher rinse aid - how and why to use it?

Anyone who has a dishwasher uses cleaning tablets designed for it. However, not everyone uses rinse aid, and this product definitely deserves attention. As the name suggests, it is a product that gives shine to washed dishes: glasses, cups, plates, glasses and cutlery. Should I use it, and if so, where to fill the rinse aid in the dishwasher and what to buy? Find out in our article!  

Why buy dishwasher rinse aid?

As we briefly mentioned in the introduction, dishwasher rinse aid is responsible for restoring dishes to their beautiful, original shine. If you notice that your set of glasses, plates, cups or cutlery has become significantly tarnished, and after each automatic wash they leave unsightly streaks, then rinse aid will help you eliminate this problem.

Visible haze and streaks are due to the fact that the water used by the dishwasher to rinse the dishes remains there to some extent. They are covered with moisture, so after automatic drying, water “streaks” are noticeable on glass or metal. The task of the rinse aid is to make sure that the water flows off the glass properly so that when you open the dishwasher, you can see perfectly clean, shiny dishes.

Importantly, the product also neutralizes detergent residues left on the dishes and prevents the formation of scale, which also significantly reduces the tarnishing of dishes. However, the benefits of rinse aid do not end there, because these types of products also extend the life of the dishwasher, protecting it from the deposition of the mentioned scale on the internal parts of the device.

How often do you need to buy dishwasher rinse aid - how long does it last?

The amount of rinse aid for dishwashers, of course, is largely determined by the capacity of the bottle with the product you purchase. Half-liter and liter versions are available, as well as intermediate values, such as 920 ml, and even smaller ones (for example, Finish Zero dishwasher rinse 400 ml). You can also find large 5 liter bottles meant for restaurants, for example - nothing prevents you from considering them as a home supply of this drug.

The second factor that determines how often you will need to refill the rinse aid is the capacity of the dishwasher's rinse aid reservoir. 110 ml dispensers are quite popular. In their case, it is easy to calculate that one half-liter of the drug is enough for about 5 almost full bays, and a liter for 9.

There is a third dependence: the amount of rinse aid that the dishwasher will use and the frequency of washing dishes. The 110 ml mentioned is a full "tank", but it is not used in one wash. Its consumption can be set from 1 to (usually) 5-6, so it is not possible to specify a specific consumption level. However, it is assumed that one liter bottle can last up to 160 washing cycles, while the price of a popular large rinse aid ranges from a dozen to just over 20 zł.

Where to put rinse aid in the dishwasher?

In the vast majority of dishwashers, the rinse aid container is located on the inside of the door, next to the rack compartment. It can be recognized by its characteristic round cap with an arrow, and often also by the corresponding badge. However, if this is not the case for your model, try to find instructions (for example, on the Internet) - manufacturers always accurately describe the design of dishwashers.

To add rinse aid, you will have to unscrew the cap, remove it, and direct the exit of the liquid into the open hole. You will certainly notice a dash on it - this is a measuring cup indicating the maximum level to which liquid should be poured. If you overflow a little, don't worry; nothing bad will happen, the dishwasher will just wash the excess product.

Remember to carefully close the dispenser after adding the liquid and set the desired rinse aid level. To do this, turn the nut so that the arrow points to any of the numbers from 1 to 5 (or 6). It is recommended to set a four at the beginning and possibly increase it if the water is very hard and the washed dishes still have unsightly streaks.

What is the best dishwasher rinse aid?

The simplest answer to the question of which dishwasher rinse aid to choose is: the same manufacturer as the dishwasher bars you use. Together they make the perfect duo, as they complement each other in action and percentage of individual ingredients. When it comes to types of rinses, you won't have to go through a dozen or so liquids for long. Individual products of the same company differ mainly in smell.

Be sure to test out the brand of dishwasher rinse aid you use and see how it works!

You can find more similar articles in our guides from the Home and Garden section!