Active dishwasher cleaner tablets are foaming lemon-scented tablets that clean limescale, grease, and odors from inside your dishwasher. You use one tablet in an empty machine, run a normal hot cycle, and repeat about twice a month. A 24-count box is sold as roughly a year’s supply and costs about $20 to $25 on the listings we checked, which works out to around $0.81 to $1.04 per tablet. They suit people who want cheap, regular maintenance. If you need a cleaner that can run with a full load, or one backed by a major appliance brand, Affresh may suit you better.
Read More: Can You Use Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner in a Dishwasher?
What Are Active Dishwasher Cleaner Tablets?
Active Dishwasher Cleaner and Deodorizer Tablets are cleaning tablets for the dishwasher itself, not for dishes. The brand says its formula targets hard water, calcium, limescale and grime, removes odors, and leaves a fresh lemon citrus scent. A retailer listing says the tablets clean hidden parts such as jets, spray arms, valves, pumps, tubs, and racks, and are designed to limit excessive foam.
Active’s product page says the tablets are safe for septic systems and work with all dishwasher brands and interior colors. A Walmart listing words it slightly differently, saying they are compatible with most residential and commercial dishwashers, so check your own machine’s manual if you’re unsure.
Active Dishwasher Cleaner Tablets at a Glance
| Detail | What we found |
| Tablets per box | 24 (also 12 and 6 packs) |
| Price | About $24.95 on Active’s site; $19.51 on a Walmart listing at the time of checking |
| Price per tablet | About $0.81 to $1.04 |
| Supply | About a year at twice a month |
| Scent | Lemon citrus |
| Septic-safe | Yes, per the brand |
| Customer rating | 4.6 out of 5 from about 860 ratings on Walmart |
| Best for | Cheap, regular maintenance |
Prices change often and differ by retailer, so check the current price before you buy.
How to Use Active Dishwasher Cleaner Tablets
The steps below follow the brand’s directions:
- Empty the dishwasher. The brand says it must be empty.
- Add one tablet to the detergent dispenser tray.
- Run a normal wash cycle, with hot water if possible.
- Open the door and let it air-dry.
How often? The brand says twice a month for regular maintenance, and more often for heavily soiled machines. A retailer listing describes use as once or twice a month.
For a fuller walkthrough, see the brand’s cleaning guide. It says to use only one tablet at a time, though it also suggests a second tablet on the bottom for a first-time or heavy-buildup clean. Those two statements conflict, so follow the instructions on your own box, or repeat a single-tablet cycle instead.
What Do Customers Say?
On the Walmart listing, the 24-count pack has a 4.6 out of 5 rating from about 860 ratings, with 78% giving five stars. Reviewers praise:
- Effective cleaning and deodorizing.
- No strong chemical smell.
- The convenience of a year’s supply on hand.
- Results on hard water stains and calcium buildup.
About 6% of ratings are one or two stars, but the listing text we could read doesn’t show their complaints, so we can’t say what the downsides are from the reviews. Ratings on a retailer’s page are also a rough guide, not independent testing.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Low price per tablet | Must be run on an empty dishwasher |
| A year’s supply in one box | Brand’s instructions on using a second tablet conflict |
| Lemon scent, little chemical smell per reviewers | Less established than big appliance brands |
| Septic-safe, per the brand | Foam: the listing advises monitoring foam drainage |
| Simple one-tablet routine | Not a fix for drain or mechanical problems |
How Do They Compare With Affresh and Finish?
| Active tablets | Affresh tablets | Finish liquid cleaner | |
| Format | Tablet (24-pack) | Tablet (6-pack) | Liquid bottle |
| Example price | $19.51 to $24.95 for 24 | $15.95 for 6 (third-party seller on Walmart) | About $4.44 per 8.45 oz bottle |
| Approx. cost per use | About $0.81 to $1.04 | About $2.66 | About $4.44 per bottle |
| Load or empty | Empty | Empty per Whirlpool’s guidance; some reviewers report loaded use | Empty |
| Septic-safe | Yes, per brand | Yes, per listing | Check the label |
| Brand backing | Smaller brand | Owned by Whirlpool Corporation | Established brand |
Prices come from single retailer listings checked during research and will vary. Affresh and Finish details come from their own product listings and manufacturer pages.
What this means: Active is the cheapest per use of the three on the listings we saw. Affresh costs more per tablet but has a major appliance maker behind it and an EPA Safer Choice claim on its ingredients. Finish liquid is a low-cost bottle, though it comes with a different routine. For the details, check the Affresh product page and the Finish listing.
Who Should Buy Active Dishwasher Cleaner Tablets?
Good fit if you:
- Want a cheap, regular monthly or twice-monthly routine.
- Prefer a tablet to a liquid bottle.
- Have hard water and want to tackle limescale and odors.
- Don’t mind running an empty cycle.
Look elsewhere if you:
- Want to clean the dishwasher while it is loaded with dishes.
- Prefer a cleaner from a major appliance brand.
- Have a drain or pump problem. A cleaner won’t fix a blockage, so check the filter and drain first.
Tips for Better Results
- Clean the filter before you run the tablet.
- Run the hot tap before starting the cycle.
- Use only one tablet per cycle unless your box says otherwise.
- Keep the door ajar after the cycle so the interior dries.
- Pair it with rinse aid and the right detergent for your water hardness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Active dishwasher cleaner tablets?
They’re foaming tablets that clean limescale, grease, grime, and odors from inside a dishwasher.
How do you use Active dishwasher cleaner tablets?
Empty the dishwasher, put one tablet in the detergent dispenser tray, run a normal cycle with hot water, then open the door and let it air-dry.
How often should I use them?
About twice a month for regular maintenance, according to the brand.
Can I use them with dishes inside?
No. The brand says the dishwasher must be empty.
How many tablets do I use at a time?
One. The brand says not to add more than one at a time, though its cleaning guide also mentions a second tablet for heavy buildup, so follow your box.
Are Active dishwasher cleaner tablets safe for septic systems?
Yes, per the brand.
Do they work on hard water?
The brand says they target hard water, calcium and limescale, and reviewers on the Walmart listing praise results on hard water stains and calcium deposits.
How much do Active dishwasher cleaner tablets cost?
About $19.51 to $24.95 for 24 tablets on the listings we checked, or around $0.81 to $1.04 per tablet.
How long does a box last?
A 24-tablet box lasts about a year if you use one twice a month.
Are they better than Affresh?
They’re cheaper per tablet on the listings we saw, but Affresh is made by Whirlpool and its listing notes EPA Safer Choice certified ingredients. The better choice depends on your budget and preferences.
Will they fix a dishwasher that smells or doesn’t drain?
They can help with odors from buildup. If water isn’t draining, check the filter, hose, and drain before relying on a cleaner.
Where can I buy them?
They’re sold on Active’s own site, Amazon, and Walmart.
Conclusion
Active dishwasher cleaner tablets are a straightforward, low-cost way to keep a dishwasher free of limescale, grease, and odors. The routine is simple: one tablet, an empty machine, a hot normal cycle, and a repeat about twice a month, with a 24-pack covering roughly a year. They’re cheaper per use than Affresh in the listings we compared, though they come from a smaller brand and need an empty machine. If that suits you, they’re a sensible pick. If you want a major-brand cleaner or a tablet that can run in a loaded dishwasher, compare Affresh before you buy, and check current prices at the retailer.