Collection: Finish

All‑in‑one Finish tablets are designed to include detergent, rinse aid and salt‑type functions, so in theory you don’t need separate products. In real‑world use, though, most dishwashers still perform better when you top up the rinse‑aid and salt dispensers – especially in hard‑water areas or with older machines. A dedicated rinse aid helps dishes dry faster and come out clearer and streak‑free, while dishwasher salt keeps the built‑in softener working properly and protects your appliance from limescale. If you’re using a Finish ‘detergent‑only’ tablet, you should definitely add separate rinse aid, and in hard‑water regions you should continue to use dishwasher salt regardless of which Finish tablet you choose.

You don’t have to pre‑rinse dishes when you use Finish tablets. Modern dishwashers and Finish detergents are designed to break down leftover food, so all you need to do is scrape plates to remove big scraps and then load them. In fact, heavy pre‑rinsing can waste water and even trick newer dishwashers into thinking your dishes are already clean, leading to weaker wash cycles and poorer results. For best performance, simply scrape, stack and let your dishwasher and Finish tablets do the hard work – only giving very dried‑on or baked‑on dishes a brief soak if they’ve been left for a long time.

If your Finish tablet isn’t dissolving properly, the cause is usually your dishwasher rather than the tablet. Finish explains that low water temperature, a blocked or badly loaded detergent dispenser, clogged spray arms or weak water pressure can all stop a tablet from breaking down fully. Old or damp tablets that have clumped in storage can also dissolve more slowly. To fix the problem, make sure nothing is blocking the dispenser flap, clean the tablet tray and spray arms, run a hotter cycle and store your Finish tablets in a cool, dry place – if the issue continues, your dishwasher may need a service to restore proper water heating and pressure.

Finish recommends using tablets within about two years of manufacture, because the cleaning ingredients gradually lose strength and can start to clump or crumble if they’re stored for too long. To keep your tablets working at their best, store them in a cool, dry, dark place in an airtight container, keep them away from heat and humidity, and always handle them with dry hands before sealing the pack again. Properly stored Finish tablets typically stay effective for 12–24 months.