Is the Consumer Rights Act 2015 too hard on retailers?
Most dishwashers need to be told when multi-tab (all-in-one) detergent is being used. Without this calibration, the machine continues dispensing rinse aid unnecessarily, causing streaks on glassware, and keeps alerting for salt and rinse aid. Check the instruction manual for the specific procedure for your model.
Dishwashers are designed to work with three separate components: detergent, salt, and rinse aid. Multi-tab (all-in-one) detergent tablets claim to replace all three, but for them to work correctly most dishwashers need to be told they are being used. This is called calibrating for multi-tab detergent.
Why Does the Dishwasher Need to Be Calibrated?
Without calibration, the dishwasher continues to operate as if separate salt and rinse aid are being used. This causes several problems:
- The rinse aid dispenser continues to release rinse aid from the reservoir – even if the multi-tab tablet already includes it. Too much rinse aid can cause white sticky streaks on dishes, or a bluish film on glassware and cutlery.
- The dishwasher continues to alert the user to add more salt or rinse aid, even when this is no longer necessary.
- Some dishwashers adjust wash cycle times when multi-tab mode is enabled – typically shortening certain cycles by around 10 minutes – which cannot happen without calibration.
Calibrating the dishwasher for multi-tab use stops rinse aid from being dispensed unnecessarily, silences the salt and rinse aid alerts, and enables any cycle time adjustments the manufacturer has built in for this detergent type.
If ordinary detergent is ever needed again in future, the calibration can be reversed – but bear in mind that if the rinse aid reservoir has been empty for a while it will need refilling before reverting to standard use.
Is Multi-Tab Detergent Worth Using?
Independent consumer testing by Which? has found considerable variation in multi-tab detergent performance. Some are among the top-rated dishwasher detergents tested, while others have performed poorly enough to be rated as Don’t Buy products. Quality varies significantly between brands and price points. To find out which multi-tab detergents perform best, see: full dishwasher detergent test results at Which?
How to Calibrate a Dishwasher for Multi-Tab Detergent
The process varies by brand and model. Some dishwashers have a dedicated option button or clearly labelled setting for multi-tab detergent. Others require a specific button combination to enter a programming mode. The instruction manual is the definitive guide.
Not all dishwashers have this function, particularly older models. If the manual is not available, it can often be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website. Links to manufacturer manual download pages are available at: instruction manuals page. Alternatively, searching online for “multi-tab function” together with the dishwasher brand and model number will often find the relevant information.
What If Dishes Are Still Not Drying Properly With Multi-Tab Tablets?
Multi-tab detergent is designed to dry dishes adequately without separate rinse aid. However, results vary by tablet brand and quality, and by local water hardness. If dishes are consistently coming out wet or marked, two options are worth trying in order:
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Try a higher quality multi-tab tablet. Performance differences between brands are significant. Switching to a better-rated tablet often resolves the issue without needing to add rinse aid.
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Add a small amount of rinse aid. Fill the rinse aid compartment and set the dosage dial to the minimum position (typically 1 or 2). This supplements the tablet without adding a full rinse aid dose alongside it.
Related dishwasher guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need to calibrate my dishwasher for multi-tab detergent?
Without calibration, the dishwasher continues to dispense rinse aid from its reservoir even though the tablet already contains it. Too much rinse aid causes white streaks or a bluish film on glassware. The machine will also continue prompting for more salt and rinse aid unnecessarily. Calibrating tells the dishwasher to stop these actions and may also shorten certain wash cycle times.
How do I find the multi-tab setting on my dishwasher?
Check the instruction manual first – the procedure varies significantly between brands and models. Some dishwashers have a dedicated button or setting; others require a specific button sequence to enter programming mode. If the manual is unavailable, check the manufacturer’s website for a downloadable version, or search online for “multi-tab function” together with the brand and model number.
My dishwasher doesn’t have a multi-tab setting – does this matter?
Not all dishwashers, particularly older models, have a multi-tab calibration function. In this case, the dishwasher will continue to operate normally. If excess rinse aid causes streaking on dishes, the rinse aid dispenser can be turned down to the minimum setting or left empty. The salt alerts will continue, but can be ignored if multi-tab tablets are being used and the water is not particularly hard.
My dishes still come out wet even with multi-tab tablets – what should I do?
First, try a different brand of multi-tab tablet – drying performance varies considerably between products. If the problem persists, add a small amount of rinse aid to the rinse aid compartment and set the dosage dial to the minimum position. This supplements the tablet’s rinse aid without adding a full dose.
My SIA larder fridge has a split in the plastic right across the back panel. For some time I thought it was an ice line although frost free. Five years old. They are claiming “out of time” when I quote 2015 Consumer rights.
Bought on line AO
Consumer rights are for 6 years, though only 5 years in Scotland.
Thanks Bob. Yes I remember Comet used to buy most of their appliances with an extra discount and take on the responsibility for all repairs under the guarantee. A very strange and risky business model. You can imagine the situation with retailers though, they might get extra discount to cover SOGA issues but then when it comes down to it the cost of exchanging or repairing an appliance that’s out of guarantee still comes from “their” money. It still impacts their profit margins. So they are just as reluctant to do anything and know that 90% of people can be easily fobbed off.
A retailler – at least those with buying power – will ensure that their future agreements with their suppliers will appropriately compensate for any SoGA issues … either in an up front contract to cover more than the just the guarantee, or in terms of wholesale price of future orders, etc.