Consumer experts put top dishwashing tablets to the test - and a $16 pack free of harsh chemicals comes out on top
- Choice Australia has revealed the top performing dishwasher detergent tablets
- The consumer outlet says one brand that's slightly more expensive best overall
- It also revealed those that cost less but performed poorly across a range of tests
Consumer outlet Choice has put a range of leading name dishwasher detergents to the test to see which performed best overall.
The Australian watchdog tested a variety of products including those that cost more as well budget brands.
Experts assessed each on how well they removed egg yolk and baked-on cheese from plates as well as how effective each was at removing red wine and coffee stains from glasses and cups.
Surprisingly, its best performing detergent is an environmentally-friendly brand - a product which not only took out top marks in all tests but is also free from harsh chemicals.
Earth Choice Dish Tablets, priced at $16.20 for a 42-pack, was ranked as Choice's top performing dishwasher detergent
The consumer advocate revealed its number one dishwasher detergent was Earth Choice Dish Tablets, priced at $16.20 for a 42-pack.
It said while the product was more expensive per wash than others it trialled, 39 cents per wash, an overall rating of 77 per cent showed it was worth the cost.
Additionally, the brand was recognised for being free from harmful chemicals and is accredited as cruelty-free by CCF (Choose Cruelty-Free).
Tied for second place on the list was Woolworths Shine 10 in 1 Dishwashing Tablets, priced at $4.30 for a 30-pack (pictured left) and Coles Ultra Plus+ Advanced Clean Lemon Fresh Tablets, priced at $6 for a 30-pack (pictured right)
Two brands of dish detergents tied for second place on the consumer review.
Woolworths Shine 10 in 1 Dishwashing Tablets and Coles Ultra Plus+ Advanced Clean Lemon Fresh Tablets were both awarded overall scores of 73 per cent.
Choice noted both performed well in terms of the price. The Woolworths product, priced at $4.50 for 30-pack averaged out at 15c per wash; while Cole's Lemon Fresh tablets, priced at $6 for a 30-pack, cost 20c per wash.
Each product also did well in terms of removing baked-on food from plates, however, they both fell short on tests for coffee and red wine stains.
Coles tablets were awarded 53 per cent for both and the Woolworths tablets scored 46 per cent for red wine and 53 per cent for coffee stains.
Finish Powerball Supercharged Max in 1 Deep Clean was awarded an overall score of 48 per cent (pictured left) while Woolworths Shine Dishwasher Powder Concentrate was ranked as Choice's lowest performing product (pictured right)
The watchdog also revealed with products didn't perform as well under stringent testing.
Finish Powerball Supercharged Max in 1 Deep Clean, priced at $15.99 per 50-pack or 32c per wash, was awarded an overall testing score of 48 per cent.
'If you opt for Finish tablets, start with their top-of-the-line Quantum products, as they perform well in our testing. But you might want to give these ones a miss,' the experts said.
Lastly, it revealed Woolworths Shine Dishwasher Powder Concentrate ranked as its worst-performing product.
Testers said the dishwasher detergent was one of the cheapest they tried at $4 per 1L or 8c per wash.
It scored 13 per cent on tests for removing rice starch and 23 per cent for egg yolk removal. Overall, the product was awarded 38 per cent.
Choice said it had taken into account powders are less effective than tablets than gels.
