Six reasons why your dishwasher tablet isn’t dissolving

The last thing you want to see when you open the dishwasher after a cycle is a mushy dishwasher tablet still sitting in the detergent compartment. Not only does it leave a goopy mess, it also means your dishes aren’t clean. 

Fortunately, there is usually an easy fix with one of several key mistakes often the cause.

Home hacks guru Leanne highlighted two of the common reasons in an Instagram reel; here, we share those and four other possibilities.

Detergent dispenser blocked

Leanne explained that items like chopping boards and baking trays can block the flap on the detergent dispenser compartment if they’re stacked incorrectly.

“If the flap cannot fully open the detergent tablet may not be fully released correctly,” she said.

Water flow blocked

Loading your bottom dishwasher rack incorrectly can also block the water from flowing to the detergent dispenser.

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“Plates should be placed at the front and larger items toward the back,” Leanne explained.

Damp dispenser

Any moisture remaining in the detergent dispenser can result in the dishwasher tablet sticking to the compartment. Sticking can also happen if your hands are wet when you touch the tablet while putting it in the dispenser. 

According to cleaning expert Melissa Pateras, this is because the tablet starts dissolving as soon as it touches the wet compartment or your damp hands.

A simple fix is to check the compartment and your hands are dry before putting the tab or tablet in the detergent compartment. If the compartment is still wet you can use a cloth or tea towel to dry it out.

Broken dispenser

The problem causing dishwasher tablets not to dissolve could be because of an issue with the dispenser itself.

“If the door is not opening as it should, the detergent may not release immediately, preventing it from dissolving completely and stopping you from utilising the full benefits of dishwasher tablets,” dishwasher brand Finish said.

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Water problems

If the water temperature isn’t hot enough it won’t be able to dissolve the detergent in the dishwasher tablet. Finish recommends trying a cycle at a higher temperature and if that doesn’t work, call an appliance repairer.

Low water pressure is another possibility, so if the other reasons aren’t the cause check your inlet valve for damage or call in a professional to inspect it.

Spray arms

The spray arms need to be able to distribute water evenly and efficiently, if they don’t, there won’t be enough water to dissolve the tablet.

A few things can cause the spray arms to be an issue including damage such as cracks, and food particles stuck in the holes.

“If food deposits have blocked the nozzles, you will need to detach the spray arms and thoroughly clean out the holes and bearings on the spray arms so that water flow is not obstructed,” dishwasher brand Bosch said.