Whether the dishwasher detergent is a tablet, powder, gel or sheet.

We recommend dishwasher detergents with a CHOICE Expert Rating of at least 75%.

This score is made up of equally weighted stain removal scores for egg yolk, rice starch, baked-on cheese, red wine, coffee and minced meat.

Pre-soiled plates, with stains most commonly difficult to remove from a plate, are loaded into a dishwasher and cleaned. Plates are scanned via a spectrophotometer to detect how much soil is removed.

Pre-soiled plates, with stains most commonly difficult to remove from a plate, are loaded into a dishwasher and cleaned. Plates are scanned via a spectrophotometer to detect how much soil is removed.

Pre-soiled plates, with stains most commonly difficult to remove from a plate, are loaded into a dishwasher and cleaned. Plates are scanned via a spectrophotometer to detect how much soil is removed.

Pre-soiled plates, with stains most commonly difficult to remove from a plate, are loaded into a dishwasher and cleaned. Plates are scanned via a spectrophotometer to detect how much soil is removed.

Pre-soiled plates, with stains most commonly difficult to remove from a plate, are loaded into a dishwasher and cleaned. Plates are scanned via a spectrophotometer to detect how much soil is removed.

Pre-soiled plates, with stains most commonly difficult to remove from a plate, are loaded into a dishwasher and cleaned. Plates are scanned via a spectrophotometer to detect how much soil is removed.

Tested at 1% solution at 20°C. A pH of 7 is neutral, less than 7 is acidic, and greater than 7 is alkaline.

This is the recommended retail price, but the price you pay depends on the retailer and the specials available on the day.

Calculated on the price we purchased at. This will vary based on the size of the pack you buy and specials available on the day.

Does the product claim to contain biodegradable surfactants or ingredients?

This generally means that the detergent does not contain chemicals or ingredients that could contaminate a grey water system. This is claimed on the packaging, which we haven't tested or verified. 

Does the dishwasher tablet have a soluble wrapper?

Phosphates help soften the water and keep extracted dirt in suspension. But high levels of phosphorus can lead to excessive growth of blue-green algae in inland waterways.

The detergent hasn’t been tested on animals. This is claimed on the packaging, which we haven’t tested or verified.

This generally means the detergent is low in phosphorus and sodium, and will break down within a septic tank without affecting the bacteria. This is claimed on the packaging, which we haven’t tested or verified.

Shop Ethical rates the environmental and social impact of the company (not the product) using independent sources. This rating is not included in our total score. The rating ranks from A (highest) to F (lowest); N/A means there is no rating for that company.

Where the product was manufactured. Take this with a grain of salt though, because ingredients may have been sourced from a variety of countries.

This is calculated based on the recommended dose for a normal wash.

Whether the detergent claims to have rinse aid in it. Rinse aid is a surfactant that aids in drying and helps prevent streaks and water spots by reducing the viscosity of water. Many detergents (particularly tablets) have rinse aid included, but if yours doesn't you should fill up your dishwasher's rinse-aid dispenser for better wash results.

The company that owns the brand name.