If you own a dishwasher then you'll no doubt regularly keep your machine topped up with rinse aid. But do you know what it actually does and do we really need to use it? Read on to find out....
What does rinse aid do?
After your dishwashing pods, salt or liquid has done its job of cleaning all the food remains from your dishes, rinse aid can help the process of drying your dishes faster. As a drying agent, rinse aid contains chemicals called surfactants that lower the surface tension of water which makes sure the water slides off your dishes instead of forming droplets.
It is also hydrophobic making it water repellent and therefore preventing water from drying on your dishes and causing water spots. These water stains are usually caused by the minerals in water which are present in higher levels in the case of hard water. So, rinse aid cis a worthwhile addition if you live in an area with hard water.
Where do you put rinse aid in the dishwasher?
Right next to the slot where the dishwashing salt or pods go, there will be a dispenser for rinse aid which you can fill up and start the cycle. During the final rinse cycle, it will automatically dispense to help dry your dishes faster and they are sure to come out substantially drier than with just dishwasher liquid.
Is rinse aid necessary?
While it is not necessary to use your dishwasher, using rinse aid will definitely help if you are not satisfied with how dry your dishes come out of the dishwasher. It also helps with hard water issues by softening water and preventing water stains if this is something you wish to avoid. It can also help avoid water rings and marks on your glassware.
How often should I use rinse aid?
You will find that a single cycle may not use all the rinse aid you filled in the dispenser and the answer is you do not need to refill as long as there is enough product in the dispenser. Most people also find that they only need to top it off once a month in a typical household.
Can I use white vinegar instead of Rinse aid?
White vinegar can be used instead of rinse aid as it does make sure your dishes do not have any water stains on them and with an added shine. This is because the acidic vinegar dissolves any minerals in the water that can cause stains. However, it does not really help in drying your dishes any faster. But using vinegar as cleaning agent in the dishwasher in the long run has proven to be damaging as the acidity can affect certain parts of the dishwasher. So if you live in a hard-water area, it might be worth considering a long-term solution like water softening.
Akhila Thomas is a digital writer at Yours.co.uk and her areas of interest are beauty, fashion, food, wellness and lifestyle. She has previously written for magazines like Leftlion, Women’s Health and t’Art and worked extensively with art, culture, fashion and social media trends. She also likes to travel and explore new cultures and cuisines.