Somat Dishwasher Tablet Review: Types, Pros and Cons, Customer Reviews

Evgenia Kravchenko
Checked by a specialist: Evgenia Kravchenko
Author: Oleg Sysoev
Last update: October 2019

In the dishwashing detergent, the quality result of its work, safety for health, and adequate price are important to us. Finding the perfect option is difficult, but you can try.

One of the candidates is Somat tablets for dishwashers, which we will talk about in this article. We analyze the properties declared by the manufacturer and compare them with the real capabilities of the drug. We also consider the line of tools offered by the brand, and highlight their main advantages over competitors.

General Somat Product Information

Henkel began producing dishwashing detergents under the Somat brand in 1962. They became the first such drug in Germany, when household appliances were still considered a luxury.

After 37 years, a novelty was introduced - a detergent with rinse aid. Further, the assortment included a gel with Micro-Active technology, and even later tablets also appeared.

The composition of the tablets

The proportions of the components are selected so as not to harm the user and fall within the scope of standards. The manufacturer is constantly modifying the composition, changing the shape, coloring of the tablets, improving their quality.

Sample list of components:

  • 15-30% complexing agent and inorganic salts;
  • 5-15% oxygen-containing bleach, phosphonates, polycarboxylates;
  • up to 5% Surfactant;
  • TAED, enzymes, perfumes, dyes, polymers and preservatives.

Inorganic salts in the composition indicate that the products can be used without additional salt, provided soft water.

The manufacturer does not indicate which phosphonates are included in the list, but this information is important if the user has allergic reactions.

But habitual chlorine replaced by oxygen bleach, which refers to environmentally friendly and safe components.

Appearance of Somat tablets
Each tablet is packaged in an individual sealed bag that is easy to open. In shape, it is a dense, pressed red-blue rectangle

The manufacturer is constantly improving the formula of tablets, increasing their effectiveness. Cost-effectiveness is also important. One large box lasts for a quarter, a small one for a month.

It all depends on the frequency of washing, the number of family members. But even when serving a large family-owned company, a pack is used for quite some time.

The principle of the drug

Somat tablets are three-component: salt, detergent, rinse aid. The salt begins to work first, it gets into the machine when water is supplied. This is necessary in order to soften the water, to prevent the formation of scale.

Loading tablets into the dishwasher
In a special compartment for detergents, tablets evenly dissolve in parts depending on the operations of the selected program

Most cars use cold water. Without salt, scale begins to form in the heating tank. It settles on the walls of the heater and reduces the service life of the equipment. Also, salt can suppress the formation of foam.

Next, powder is included in the case. It performs the main function - the removal of contaminants. This component in the tablet is the main one, the whole principle of the operation of the tablet means is based on it.

At the last stage, a rinse aid is connected, which reduces the drying time of the dishes.

Safety when using tablets

If suddenly the product got on the mucous membranes, you should immediately rinse them with water, using plenty of clean liquid. If the irritation does not decrease, you should seek help from doctors, and take the packaging with you.

Composition of Somat
There are proteases in the composition, therefore, cases of allergic reactions are not uncommon. A box of pills should be hidden in a place inaccessible to children.

Types of tablets and their characteristics

The main difference between the lines will always be the composition and competent mix of ingredients. In tablet preparations "Somat" 3 components. And the name All-in-1 reports a complex of additional components.

Tablets # 1 - Somat Classic

The tool gives the dishes a "creaking" cleanliness. The composition contains oxygen bleach (5-15%), about 5% nonionic surfactants, soda, perfumes, phosphonates, enzymes. Available in cardboard boxes with packaging in 34, 80, 90, 130 pieces.

Pills Somat Classic
Somat Classic is sold in a cardboard box with a different number of tablets. Individual packaging does not dissolve, but can be easily removed without improvised means

These pills are often used as a budget option for daily cleaning. They cope with especially persistent contaminants hard, but thanks to the sparing set of components and low price, they are ideal for frequent use.

Tablets # 2 - Somat Gold

Stainless steel appliances shine, glass does not tarnish, dishes are disinfected.

Thanks to the active formula "Soaking Effect" dried off food residues are removed from surfaces at temperatures from 40 degrees. The salt and rinse aid in the composition provide faster drying of the dishes.

Somat Gold Tablet Pack
Tablets are sold in small and large packages. The average cost of one piece is 20 rubles, but promotions are held in chain supermarkets and ordinary stores

Sold in packs of 20, 40, 60, 80, 120 pcs.

Somat Gold Benefits:

  • detergent provides intensive cleansing;
  • rinse gives shine;
  • salt prevents the formation of plaque on the dishes;
  • tea and coffee deposits on cups are removed;
  • The machine is protected against limescale.

One Somat Gold tablet is enough to remove any impurities. To use it, you need to break the packaging in the direction of the arrows and place the product in the dispenser of the machine.

Do not put it in a cutlery basket or other parts of the dishwasher. If the hardness of the water is above 21 dH (German scale), salt and rinse aid.

Overview of Somat Gold tablets from an active user of a dishwasher:

Tablets # 3 - Somat All-in-1

This tool works like an ideal cleaner. It has the function of a rinse aid to give the dishes a radiant shine, and the presence of salt protects the treated surfaces and the machine itself from limescale.

In addition to the standard action, the All-in-1 washing tablet is supplemented with an option Power Booster, which removes dried-on food leftovers without soaking, but with an ideal result.

All-in-1 by Somat
Tablets are sold in a cardboard box with a different number of pieces. Individual packaging does not dissolve, but can be easily removed without improvised means

All-in-1 is considered the best in the line of the manufacturer. In addition to the standard set of oxygen bleach, soda, carboxylates, surfactants and phosphonates, it has special additives.

Available in complete sets of 26, 52, 100 pcs. Recommendations for dosage and use are the same as for the Gold line: open the package and put the tablet in the cell of the machine.

The tabletted Somat dishwasher All in 1 is demonstrated in the video review:

Tablets # 4 - Somat Machine Cleaner

Machine Cleaner is also a tablet of the Somat line from the manufacturer Henkel, but not for washing dishes, but for good, stable operation of the machine in hard water conditions.

Their components will perfectly clean the chamber, penetrate into inaccessible places - filter, pipes, sprayer. The tool eliminates grease and limescale. Recommendations for self-cleaning the dishwasher we gave in this stuff.

Somat Machine Cleaner
Machine Cleaner is sold in packs of 3 and 6 pieces. The tablets are sealed, you do not need to break the individual packaging, the product is laid on the bottom of the machine

There are only three tablets in a pack, but they last for 9 months, if once every 30-31 days one piece is loaded with the main tool. You can use one unit three times so that the dishwasher always stays clean and makes your dishes the same.

Pros and Cons of Somat Means

Somat tablets are a universal remedy for all machines, because the components are calculated in average quantity for one washing.

It is important: with a shortage of washing dishes will remain dirty, with an excess - foam will appearwhich is difficult to wash off. Foam affects the operation of the machine itself - water level sensors go astray, which can lead to leaks and breakdowns.

The tabletted product does not crumble and does not spill if dropped. It is compact in size and stored for a long time. Shelf life is 24 months. But buying it for the future is not recommended: expired tablets lose their properties and poorly remove pollution.

The compressed product Somat already includes both detergent itself and salt with conditioner, which eliminates the need for additional jar boxes. But if the water is hard, salt still have to add.

Benefits of Somat Pills
The enzymes in the capsules indicate the ability of the product to wash off burnt fat, also in the list of ingredients can be a dishwasher cleaner, aromatic and other additives

The components of the tablets for dishwashers "Somat" do not dissolve immediately and not together, namely when it is implied by the program of the machine. Another plus is that it cleans the dishes and dishes, and takes care of the appliances.

There is also a minus - the dosage cannot be adjusted, and for a half load you have to load a whole tablet. Some cut it in half, but this affects the quality of the wash.

It is important to observe the precautions when using detergents.

Recommended storage temperature is 5-40 degrees. If the expiration date is over, the drug is thrown away, there are no special requirements for disposal, it qualifies as ordinary household waste.

What do customers say about Somat?

Users note the high efficiency and average cost of Somat products. Many are accustomed to the products of this manufacturer and do not want to change it. Not surprisingly, it is optimal in price and quality results.

According to user reviews:

  1. Tablets dissolve well, on the dishes their remains are not visible.
  2. Devices are perfectly washed at any temperature.
  3. The smell is pleasant: barely perceptible aroma of citrus and freshness.
  4. Glassware Glittersand with baking sheets, nipples, pans, fatty stains, burned areas disappear.
  5. Devices do not stickhave no dirty smell, sticky coating.

But there are those who are not very happy with the result. Of the main complaints can be identified poor washing heavily soiled dishes, the remnants of plaque on the cups.

But this may be due to incorrect machine operation or features of the dishwasher itself - some models do not recognize 3-in-1 products, which affects the cleanliness of the dishes.

Reasons for poor dishwashing

It often happens that the product does not dissolve in the machine. There are several reasons for this: the product is expired or improperly stored (wet and frozen), the loading compartment is clogged, and the water comes in poorly. pressure. You need to check all these points to fix the problem.

Incorrect loading of dishes

Full use of the chamber space of the dishwasher is beneficial, but overload affects the quality of the sink.

It is necessary to lay the dishes so that there is space between the devices, and water easily gets into it. It is recommended to remove food debris from surfaces.

Proper loading of the dishwasher
In order not to be disappointed in the dishwasher, do not load graters, a garlic squeezer, cans and bottles with stickers

You can not ignore the instructions from the manufacturer. There are devices that can only be placed on the top shelf: bowls, cups, small items. Pots and pans, cutlery are placed below.

Incorrect positioning of dishes in the machine chamber can lead not only to poor washing, but also to damage. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with rules for loading dishes in the PMM.

Counterfeits from the market and stores

Craftsmen often fake popular products, Somat tablets are no exception.

It is better to buy them at trusted points of sale, where quality is monitored, so as not to make hasty conclusions about the manufacturer’s dishonesty.

Comparison with nearest competitors

What is in the assortment of domestic and Russian manufacturers? Each of them is trying to distinguish itself from competitors by some know-how.

Some offer a low price, others offer support functionality, while others build marketing on packaging and appearance. Take for comparison the 3 most popular products on the Russian market: Finish, Fairy, Frosch.

Competitor # 1 - Finish High Performance Pills

Finish leads in the number of positive reviews. But sometimes it does not cope with tea and coffee plaque.

With these tablets you can wash silver and glass products without fear, as this will lead to corrosion. Fragrances, components for glass, metal, antimicrobial additives are added to their composition.

Dishwasher Tablets Finish
With most positive reviews, some users still complain of stains after washing with Finish tablets. Another minus is the high price

A powerful selection of components allows you to get an excellent result - the dishes are mostly washed clean and do not cause any complaints during visual inspection. More information about the tablets of this brand we reviewed here.

But the manufacturer invests a lot of money in advertising, so recently the tool has risen in price and users have begun to look for a replacement for it.

As an inexpensive alternative, you can use Somat, which, quite possibly, will eliminate some of the shortcomings of a well-developed product.

Competitor # 2 - Easy-to-Use Fairy Capsules

Fairy's products do not resemble a pill, but a pillow. According to the manufacturer’s idea, such powerdrops they wash dishes efficiently and carefully, without leaving stains, remove old impurities and cope with fat. The composition also includes components that protect the dishwasher.

Fairy Capsules for Dishwashers
Fairy is larger than Somat, so it may get stuck in the small compartment of the machine and not dissolve. Another drawback - do not cut the capsule in half

The capsule shell dissolves itself, so they do not need to be opened before use, but should be stored in a dry place.

The instructions indicate that Fairy is placed in the compartment of the machine, but if it is small, you can throw the tablet into the cutlery compartment. In the latter case, you need to select a program without a preliminary wash.

Fairies are easier to use, but the best quality of washing with their help has not been proven, special comparative testing with tablets for the Somat dishwasher has not been conducted.

Competitor # 3 - Frosch's skin-friendly pills

Frosch combines a relatively high price and excellent wash quality. Composition: surfactants of plant origin, no phosphates, formaldehydes, borates.

The formulas are skin friendly and dermatologically tested. Frosch can safely wash children's dishes, rubber, plastic, silicone toys of good quality.

Frosch Dishwasher Tablets
Natural substitutes for the chemical components in these tablets affect the quality of the “work” - the dishes are clean, but like after a hand wash. Another cons: rough packaging that needs to be cut, plus the product often crumbles

Users note flawless washing even when using half a tablet. But with such a load, the product may not wash very dirty dishes. The only negative is the high cost, but it is also the lowest when compared with other tablets of the "eco" series.

Somat is cheaper, but filled with chemistry - the buyer chooses what he considers safer.

A comparative table of funds by form, manufacturers, cost of one tablet, shelf life, the presence of a soluble film and other parameters will help determine the choice.

 SomatFinishFairyFrosch
The formRectangularRectangularSquare capsuleRounded, Rounded
Individual filmIt does not dissolve, can be removed by handSolubleSolubleNot soluble, removed with scissors
ManufacturerGermanyPolandRussiaGermany
Shelf life2 years2 years2 years2 years
PackagingCardboard boxPackage, CardboardPackageCardboard box
RemedyYesNoNoYes
The average price of one tablet20 rub25 rub19 rub30 rub

The table shows that the most expensive and environmentally friendly product is Frosch, and the manufacturer Finish took care of ease of use by providing customers with a choice of cardboard packaging or bag, as well as a soluble coating of tablets.

But Somat remained optimal in terms of classic consumer value for money.

Want to use health-friendly pills that would be minimal? In this case, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with homemade pill recipes for dishwashers, for the manufacture of which low-cost funds are required, available from almost every housewife.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

How to use different means for a dishwasher.

Proper loading of the dishwasher - the quality of washing also depends on this.

Is it worth it to rely on the generalized opinion from this review or not - the choice is yours. Try it, only with experience can you find the best remedy for yourself.

And do not discount gels with powders, they also wash dishes with sufficient quality and allow you to adjust the dosage.

How do you feel about Somat tablets? Are you satisfied with this tool or strongly against its use? Express your opinion in the block below.

If you have not yet decided on suitable tablets for your dishwasher and are considering Somat as a possible option, ask our experts and other visitors to the site for advice on choosing a detergent in the comments on this article.

Was the article helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
No (9)
Thanks for your feedback!
Yes (51)
Visitors Comments
  1. Anastasya

    I used the cheapest ones with the effect of soda, but I did not like it. They clean it well, but only if the pollution is fresh. With dishes that had stood unwashed at night, they no longer cope. Yes, and the effect of soda in the end did not please me, the dishes showed some chemical smell.
    Now I use Somat Gold, they are a little expensive on their own, but I wait for the action and take a lot right away. There are other ways to save, but one tablet cleans any dirt.

Pools

Pumps

Warming