According to Whirlpool’s own Affresh instructions, dishwasher cleaner tablets go in one of two spots depending on how you’re running the cycle: place the tablet in the detergent dispenser if you’re running the dishwasher empty, or in the bottom of the tub if you’re running it with a load of dishes (with your regular detergent in the dispenser as usual). Run a normal cycle on the hottest water setting available, and repeat this roughly once every 30 days. For heavy buildup, use two tablets — one in the dispenser and one in the bottom — on an empty cycle.
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Where to Place a Dishwasher Cleaner Tablet
This is the single most common point of confusion, and the correct placement actually depends on whether you’re washing dishes at the same time.
Running the Dishwasher Empty
Place the tablet directly in the detergent dispenser, then close it as you normally would. This is the most common and generally recommended method for a dedicated cleaning cycle with no dishes inside.
Running the Dishwasher With Dishes
Fill the detergent dispenser with your regular detergent as usual, then place the cleaner tablet in the bottom of the dishwasher tub instead — not the utensil basket, and not stacked into the dispenser alongside your detergent.
For Heavy Buildup
If your dishwasher hasn’t been cleaned in a while or shows visible grease, limescale, or odor, use two tablets at once: one in the detergent dispenser and a second in the bottom of the tub; run as an empty cycle for maximum cleaning power.
Step-by-Step: How to Use a Dishwasher Cleaner Tablet
- Decide empty vs. loaded, and place the tablet accordingly using the guidance above.
- Don’t unwrap it early. Keep the tablet in its individual wrapper until you’re ready to place it, since the tablets are formulated to dissolve during the wash rather than sit exposed beforehand.
- Close the dishwasher door securely.
- Select the hottest wash cycle available. Cleaner tablets are specifically formulated to work with hot water — most dishwashers bring water in around 120°F, which is the temperature these products are designed around.
- Skip any additional cleaning products. Don’t add extra detergent, vinegar, or other chemicals to the same cycle — mixing cleaning agents can reduce effectiveness or, in some cases, cause a reaction.
- Let the full cycle run without interruption.
- Leave the door slightly ajar afterward. Once the cycle finishes, cracking the door open lets the interior fully dry and helps reduce the chance of odors developing again.
Liquid vs. Tablet Cleaners: A Quick Note on Placement Differences
Not every dishwasher cleaner follows the same placement rule, which is worth knowing if you switch between brands or formats:
- Tablet cleaners (like Affresh): placed in the detergent dispenser (empty cycle) or the bottom of the tub (loaded cycle), as detailed above.
- Liquid bottle cleaners (like Finish): typically placed upside down in the bottom dish rack after removing a sticker or seal from the bottle, then run on the hottest cycle with nothing else inside.
Always check your specific product’s packaging, since placement instructions can vary even within the same general category of cleaner.
How Often Should You Use a Dishwasher Cleaner Tablet?
Once a month (roughly every 30 days) is the frequency recommended by Affresh’s own manufacturer guidance, and it applies even if your dishwasher has a self-cleaning cycle — that feature handles different maintenance than a dedicated cleaner tablet does. Sticking to a monthly routine helps prevent buildup from accumulating in the first place, rather than waiting until you notice odors or reduced performance and needing a heavier, less convenient clean to fix it.
What a Dishwasher Cleaner Tablet Actually Removes
- Limescale and mineral buildup, which can affect performance and shorten the dishwasher’s lifespan if left unaddressed.
- Grease residue that accumulates in hidden parts of the machine a normal wash cycle doesn’t fully reach.
- Odor-causing buildup, neutralizing smells caused by food residue or stagnant water rather than just masking them.
Safety Notes and Common Mistakes
- Keep tablets away from children and pets. The cleaning agents inside are concentrated and can be harmful if ingested.
- Never mix with other cleaning products. Combining a cleaner tablet with bleach, vinegar, or other chemicals in the same cycle can cause a reaction or reduce effectiveness.
- Don’t place it in the wrong spot. Putting a tablet in the utensil basket, or in the dispenser when you meant to run a loaded cycle, reduces how well it dissolves and circulates.
- Check your dishwasher’s manual first. Some models have a specific cleaning setting labeled for use with these products — using it, if available, generally gets the best results.
- Don’t skip months if buildup is visible. If you can see grease, film, or residue, run the cycle sooner rather than waiting for your next scheduled monthly clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do you put a dishwasher cleaner tablet?
In the detergent dispenser if running the dishwasher empty, or in the bottom of the tub if running it with a load of dishes and detergent in the dispenser as usual — never in the utensil basket.
Can I run a dishwasher cleaner tablet with dishes inside?
Yes. Add your regular detergent to the dispenser as normal, then place the cleaner tablet in the bottom of the dishwasher tub instead of the dispenser.
How often should I use dishwasher cleaner tablets?
About once every 30 days, according to Affresh’s own manufacturer guidance, even if your dishwasher has a self-cleaning cycle, since that feature serves a different maintenance purpose.
What temperature cycle should I run with a cleaner tablet?
The hottest cycle your dishwasher offers. These tablets are formulated to dissolve and work effectively with hot water, typically around 120°F, which is close to the standard incoming water temperature for most dishwashers.
Can I use two dishwasher cleaner tablets at once?
Yes, if your dishwasher has significant buildup — placing one tablet in the detergent dispenser and a second in the bottom of the tub, then running an empty cycle, is the recommended approach for heavier cleaning.
Do tablet and liquid dishwasher cleaners work the same way?
Not exactly. Tablet cleaners typically go in the dispenser or the bottom of the tub depending on whether you’re running a loaded or empty cycle. In contrast, liquid bottle cleaners are usually placed upside down in the bottom rack instead — always check your specific product’s packaging.
Conclusion
Using a dishwasher cleaner tablet correctly comes down to one key decision: are you running the dishwasher empty or with dishes? That single choice determines where the tablet goes, and getting it right is what separates a genuinely effective clean from one that barely dissolves properly. Beyond that, the process is simple — hottest cycle, no extra detergent or chemicals mixed in, and a monthly routine to keep buildup from ever becoming a real problem. Follow the placement rule that matches how you’re running the cycle, and a dishwasher cleaner tablet does exactly what it’s designed to do in a single, uninterrupted wash.