You may or may not have heard horror stories about dishwasher tablets. Perhaps you’ve even had a bad experience with them, and now you are wondering whether they are also flammable.
Most people believe dishwasher tablets clean dishes the best because they clean better than gels and are easier to store than powder.
However, you should know just how safe these products you keep in your kitchen are. Keep reading to find out how safe dishwasher tablets are, including whether or not they are flammable.
Are Dishwasher Tablets Flammable?
A lot of dishwasher tablets claim to be non-combustible or non-flammable. So whether your dishwasher tablet is flammable largely depends on the brand. However, most tablets contain certain ingredients that are flammable.
Dishwasher tablets contain VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), which can be flammable even in low quantities. So it is better to assume your dishwasher tablet is flammable and store it appropriately to prevent accidents.
How Can Dishwasher Tablets be Harmful?
Even if your dishwasher tablet does not catch fire, there are a couple of ways dishwasher tablets can be harmful to you:
1- Corrosiveness
Dishwasher tablets are extremely alkaline. They contain bases like bleach (Oxygen bleach), and these ingredients make the dishwasher tablet corrosive. Therefore, you should avoid prolonged contact with the tablet on your skin.
If it does touch your skin, you must immediately rinse it off thoroughly. As it burns the skin outside, it will also do similar damage if consumed.
This is why you must be very careful how you store your dishwasher tablet, especially if you have pets or children.
2- Toxicity
Dishwasher tablets can be toxic when consumed. They are poisonous and can lead to fatality if you don’t seek medical attention on time. The residue of the tablet in the dishwasher can also be very toxic if you use the dishes to eat.
In addition, when washing dishes with hot or warm water, it can mix with some chemicals like VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) to release toxic fumes into your house in the form of steam.
You won’t even be aware you’re inhaling this because dishwasher tablets come with all sorts of fragrances nowadays.
3- Environmental Damage
Surfactants are one of the active ingredients in dishwasher tablets. They help to wash off grease and tough stains from dishes. These compounds can biodegrade in the air or water.
However, some biodegrade slowly and would have already caused significant environmental harm. This includes damaging air and water quality. Also, in their process of biodegrading, they may produce even more harmful substances.
Furthermore, many of these tablets come in plastic packaging, which may or may not be recycled. As you know, the production of plastic is not environmentally friendly in itself.
4- Allergies
The fragrance put in dishwasher tablets can trigger some people’s allergies when inhaling them.
Also, the VOCs in Dishwasher tablets can trigger asthmatic attacks without proper ventilation measures. So, it is advisable for people with the tendency to experience these to refrain from using dishwasher tablets.
5 Causes of a Dishwasher Catching Fire!
Dishwasher-caused fires are much more common than you think. Several times though, this is not because of the dishwashing tablet. Here are 5 common reasons why dishwashers catch fire:
1- Defective Wiring
This error will likely come from the dishwasher manufacturer. Such errors may cause overheating and, consequently, fire.
If the wiring of your dishwasher begins to spark, it can catch fire from there. The best way to avoid this is to buy from reliable manufacturers.
You can also install a fire alarm or fire suppression system in your kitchen.
2- Water Leakage
One of the things that cause dishwasher fires to happen is water meeting electricity. This mixture can also lead to electrocution.
Therefore, you should constantly check for and fix leaks under your sink and from your dishwasher pipes before damage occurs.
3- Unattended Dishwasher
Many people put on the dishwasher and go to bed or go out, and some simply forget to turn it off. There is a higher chance of a fire if the dishwasher is working in your absence.
If any fault occurs, you will be absent; meanwhile, the situation might escalate to a fire.
4- Wrong Usage & Maintenance
Dishwashers have instructions concerning overfilling it, replacing power cords, and so on. If you neglect these instructions, you are at risk of your dishwasher overheating and catching fire.
You should also connect your dishwasher directly to a wall outlet rather than an extension.
5- Faulty Dishwasher Parts
The dishwasher combines electricity, heat, and water components in one appliance. That makes for a delicate setup.
For example, if the power cord is worn out, there is a high chance of a fire. You should carry out routine checks on the dishwasher’s various components to ensure none is faulty.
And if any is faulty, hire a professional to fix it unless you are one.
Do Dishwasher Tablets Melt?
Yes, dishwasher tablets melt. Exposure to a hot surface will melt the plastic for dishwasher tablets that come in plastic wrapping.
Generally, it is best to use dishwashing tablets with hot water. This is because hot water helps the tablet to melt faster. Some tablets may dissolve faster than others in varying water temperatures.
However, a dishwasher tablet will not usually melt on its own without being exposed to moisture or heat.
What Happens When You Put a Dishwasher Tablet in the Oven?
It might come as a surprise to you, but dishwasher tablets are effective for cleaning ovens. If you put a dishwasher tablet in the oven, it will not affect your oven as long as the oven is switched off and wiped off afterward.
Due to their top-notch cleaning ability, you can use your dishwasher tablets to remove grime, oil, and food stains from your oven. It is especially helpful for cleaning the oven glass parts. It might take longer to clean your oven cavity with a dishwasher tablet.
To clean your oven with dishwasher tablets, follow these steps:
You’ll Need
1- Gloves
2- Paper towel
3- Sponge
4- Dishwasher tablet(s)
5- Bowl
6- Warm water
7- Lukewarm water
Steps
STEP 1- Disconnect your oven from its power outlet to prevent electrocution or fire incidence.
STEP 2- Wear rubber gloves before handling the dishwasher detergent. Also, try to make your kitchen as ventilated as possible.
STEP 3- Remove all loose pieces of food left in the oven and wipe down with a sponge and warm water. Concentrate warm water on places with tough-looking food stains.
STEP 4- If your tablet is the one that needs the plastic to be removed, take off the wrapper and put the tablet in a bowl of warm water. You can leave the Powerball inside the warm water and use the white part to scrub your oven.
STEP 5- Scrub the glass and bottom of your oven, applying appropriate pressure to remove dirt. You should avoid using the tablet to wash the heating part of your oven.
STEP 6- Wipe off with lukewarm water and paper towels as you wash it extensively to see the dirt left, and scrub until your oven is completely clean. You might need to use more than one tablet if the first one you use crumbles and finishes completely.
STEP 7- Wipe your oven thoroughly to remove all remnants of the dishwasher detergent. You can even vacuum the inside to ensure there are no particles in it again.
Note: Because dishwasher tablets can contain some harmful ingredients, you should opt for much safer cleaning options like household vinegar. However, if you want to use the tablet for convenience, be sure that there is no remnant of it left in the oven before your next use of the oven.
How to Properly Use and Store Dishwasher Tablets
Your tablets will come with instructions from the manufacturers. However, these are some general guidelines for using and storing dishwasher tablets to prevent any hazards:
1- Use only the quantity that the manufacturer recommends. Using more can harm your health, and using less may make the tablet less effective. One tablet for every dishwasher load is what is recommended.
2- Keep the tablet out of reach of children and pets. It could be in a child-locked kitchen cabinet or a basket on a raised platform like your fridge.
3- If your tablet comes in soluble wrapping, keep it away from dampness. You can buy a small container to keep on top of the sink or dishwasher. Only use open plastic containers if you don’t have small children.
4- You can opt for natural dishwasher tablets that pose less harm to the environment
5- Ensure that your kitchen is well-ventilated when you use or open your dishwasher.
Final Thoughts!
Your dishwasher, as with other home appliances, can catch fire, tablet or not. It is your responsibility to take the necessary precautions to avoid such occurrences.
However, if your dishwasher does catch fire due to manufacturing faults, your warranty should cover it. Just be careful to get one with a good warranty package and no shady conditions.
Now, you know that your dishwasher tablets could be flammable and, if not, might have some other harmful effects. Stay safe and share this information if you found it helpful.
