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1. Cleaning Burnt Pots and Pans Without Scrubbing
If you’ve ever dealt with a burnt pot, you know the frustration. Scrubbing for ages, soaking overnight, still seeing black marks clinging to the bottom.
My mother-in-law’s solution?
A single dishwasher tablet.
How She Does It:
- Place the burnt pot in the sink
- Add hot water
- Drop in one dishwasher tablet
- Let it soak for 30–60 minutes
When you come back, the burnt residue lifts off easily with minimal effort.
No harsh scraping. No sore arms.
2. Making Old Mugs Look New Again
Coffee and tea stains are stubborn. Over time, even your favorite mugs start to look permanently discolored.
She filled a stained mug with hot water, added a piece of a dishwasher tablet, and let it sit.
Within minutes, the stains faded.
This works especially well on:
- White mugs
- Travel cups
- Thermos lids
3. Deep-Cleaning the Trash Can
Trash cans trap odors in ways regular soap can’t fix.
Her trick?
- Fill the trash can with hot water
- Drop in a dishwasher tablet
- Let it sit for an hour
- Rinse thoroughly
The result is a fresh, clean bin without lingering smells.
4. Removing Grease from Oven Trays and Stove Parts
Grease buildup is one of the hardest things to clean in the kitchen.
Dishwasher tablets break it down effortlessly.
She uses them to clean:
- Oven racks
- Stove burner grates
- Baking trays
A soak in hot water plus a tablet does most of the work for you.
5. Refreshing Plastic Containers and Lids
You know that smell plastic containers get after storing certain foods? Even after washing, it lingers.
Dishwasher tablets help neutralize odors and stains.
A simple soak restores containers to a neutral, clean state—no perfume smells, no residue.
6. Cleaning the Washing Machine Itself
This one surprised me the most.
Even washing machines need cleaning. Detergent residue, mineral deposits, and odors build up over time.
She runs an empty hot cycle with:
- One dishwasher tablet in the drum
The machine comes out cleaner, fresher, and runs more efficiently.
7. Brightening White Laundry (Occasionally)
For whites that have turned dull or gray, she sometimes uses a small piece of a dishwasher tablet in a soak (never for delicate fabrics).
It helps lift stains and brighten fabric—though this should be done sparingly and carefully.
8. Cleaning Bathroom Tiles and Grout
Bathroom grime is a mix of soap scum, minerals, and moisture—exactly what dishwasher tablets are designed to fight.
Dissolving part of a tablet in warm water creates a powerful cleaning solution for:
- Tiles
- Shower doors
- Grout lines
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