8 Things You Can Clean in Your Bathroom With a Dishwasher Tablet

The next time you’re rifling through your cleaning cabinet for the perfect bathroom cleaner, don’t skip over your dishwasher tablets. For something so small, these tablets pack a mighty punch. And while it may seem strange to use them outside of the kitchen, it turns out that dishwasher tablets do much more than get your dishes sparkling.

The reason is the ingredients: the same surfactants, enzymes, bleaching agents, and alkaline compounds that break down grease, soap scum, and organic matter on your dishes can also be used to treat your bathroom. “When a pod or tablet dissolves in water, it releases the cleaning agents,” explains president of AspenClean, Alicia Sokolowski. “The combination of alkaline and surfactants helps break down grime, while the bleaching agent disinfects and brightens. It’s especially effective for removing mineral deposits and soap scum.” 

To determine which bathroom surfaces can be safely deep-cleaned with a dishwasher tablet, we asked cleaning professionals. Here's what they said.

Shower Heads

Even the most high-end shower heads are not immune to ugly mineral deposits and limescale buildup that can clog the holes. But dishwasher tablets are happy to help.

Follow Sokolowski’s simple steps to clean your showerhead with dishwasher tablets.

1. Dissolve 1 dishwasher tablet in a bowl of warm water.
2. Remove your shower head and place it in the solution. If you'd prefer not to remove your shower head (or if this isn't possible), you can fill a plastic bag with the solution and tie it around the shower head.
3. Let your shower head soak in the solution for 30-60 minutes.
4. After soaking, give it a scrub with an old toothbrush.
5. Rinse thoroughly with warm water, then reattach your showerhead.

Faucets and Taps

“Dishwasher tablets significantly help remove water spots, soap scum, and mineral deposits on faucets and taps,” says Sokolowski.

To get them sparkling again, mix half a tablet in one cup of warm water. Then, dip a soft cloth or sponge into the solution and wipe the faucet. For stubborn spots, Sokolowski recommends wrapping a small cloth soaked in the solution around the base of your faucet and leaving it for 15 to 20 minutes. Afterward, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush to remove grooves. Rinse with water and dry with a clean microfiber cloth or soft towel.

Toilet Brush Holder

Let’s face it: toilet brush holders need to be cleaned, too. To remove residue effectively with a dishwasher tablet, follow the expert steps below from cleaning professional James King.

1. Remove the brush and set it aside. (You can clean the brush separately with hot water and a bit of detergent,)
2. Next, place the holder in a sink or bathtub. Pour enough hot water into the holder to cover the bottom and sides. 
3. Drop one tablet into the hot water and let it dissolve. Allow to sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Brush and scrub the inside of the toilet brush holder. Then, pour out the solution and rinse.
5. Wipe with a paper towel or air dry upside down.

Soap Dishes and Shower Caddies

Soap dishes and shower caddies are particularly vulnerable to stubborn soap scum. Luckily, dishwasher tablets have the right compounds to break it down, so you can easily rinse it away.

For these bathroom items, follow the above instructions for cleaning the toilet brush holder—but use only half a tablet. “Focus on scrubbing the corners and the grooves,” adds King. 

Sinks and Bathtubs

When it comes to cleaning sinks and bathtubs, dishwasher tablets are your friend. “Soap scum, body oils, and dirt accumulate on enamel or acrylic surfaces,” explains Sokolowski. The components of a dishwasher tablet will effectively clean these surfaces, leaving them shiny and streak-free. 

1. First, fill the tub with warm water and dissolve one tablet, or one-half tablet for sinks.
2. Let the water sit for 20 to 30 minutes to loosen any grime.
3. Drain, scrub with a sponge or soft cleaning brush, then rinse thoroughly.
4. Dry with a microfiber cloth or allow to air dry.

Toilet Bowls

For stains and mineral deposits that are common in toilet bowls, drop a half or whole dishwasher tablet into the bowl and let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes. (Avoid longer than 30 minutes when dealing with delicate porcelain.) Then scrub with a toilet brush, focusing on stains and under the rim. Finally, flush to rinse.

Grout

Unsightly stains and other buildup is commonly seen on grout, and cleaning it can be a chore. Enter dishwasher tablets!. “As grout attracts mold, mildew, and soap scum, cleaning this area with a dishwasher tablet is ideal,” says Sokolowski. 

1. Crush a dishwasher tablet into powder.
2. Mix with a bit of water to make a thick paste.
3. Apply the paste to grout lines and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Scrub with a small cleaning brush (like an old toothbrush) and rinse with water.

Floor Tiles

For floor tiles and grout, King recommends first going over your surfaces with a scrub brush and using a squeegee to dry. “We want a clean canvas to really let the tablet work,” he says.

Afterwards, dissolve a tablet in a bucket of hot water, and apply the solution to floors, allowing it to sit for at least 15 minutes. Go over floors again with a scrub brush or multipurpose surface scrubber, and rinse. Follow with a squeegee to dry.