Tips & Tricks

We want you to feel comfortable and equipped to use our products effectively and correctly, so we have included some how to’s and tips for every user below!

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It is important that when cleaning your dishwasher, you also remember to clean out the filter and spray arms. This is important for removing any pips, broken glass, or residue from the spray arm nozzles.

Still unsure? Have a look at our video tutorial below:

How to use the Active Dishwasher Cleaner

  1. Only use when the dishwasher is empty. Do NOT add Detergent.
  2. Unscrew the cap from the bottle – this will reveal a wax plug in the neck of the bottle (do not try to remove the wax!)
  3. Place the bottle upside down in the bottom rack, as you would a plate, where it won’t interfere with the spray arm – the wax will dissolve in the wash cycle to release the cleaning product as required.
  4. Run the dishwasher on a min. 65°C cycle i.e. normal/heavy wash or pot cycle.

See our video tutorial for Active’s 3 Step Superior Clean.

Active’s 3 Step Superior Clean

What does it mean?

Active’s 3 Step for a Superior Clean is your complete dishwashing solution. The process provides an even cleaner wash than Active powder can provide on its own. It’s like a complete cleaning, toning, and moisturising system for your dishes.

The dot on each product tells you what step you need.

Still having trouble? Have a look at our video tutorial below:

How to remove Active’s Dishwashing Powder Cap

The caps for our Active Dishwashing Powder are manufactured specifically to keep Kiwi kids safe.

See the steps below for how to safely unscrew your cap:

Other Helpful Tips

Everybody loads their dishwasher differently, but there is actually a correct method that guarantees better results. It is first important to follow any guidelines provided by the manufacturer of the dishwasher – they are the experts! But otherwise, we have provided a few of our recommendations below:
  • Before loading, it is important to remove any excess food residue from your dishes. To do this, use a safe appliance such as a spatula to scrape off as much stuck-on food as possible. Note that you do not need to pre-rinse your dishes that you are going to load.
  • Now that your dishes are ready for loading, let’s begin with your cutlery. When placing silverware, make sure you have a mix of spoons, knives, and forks within each of the compartments to avoid any nesting. Knives should face downwards to make placing/removing them safer.
  • When it comes to the bottom shelf of your dishwasher, it is best to load your plates and larger dishes, as these will need to get the best water flow! Be sure to load any bowls on a downward angle so they don’t collect any water and dry properly. Tall glasses can also be placed on the bottom shelf.
  • For the top shelf of your dishwasher, it will typically be loaded with your glasses, cups, mugs and smaller bowls (face down!). It is generally best to place your plastics on the top rack to avoid any heating features, however, if the element is covered your plastics can also be placed in the bottom rack (make sure to check that your plastic is dishwasher safe first!)
  • Finally, to ensure your dishes get the best possible clean, it is important to make sure the dispenser is not blocked by any plates or tall items, as this will prevent the dispenser door from opening.
There’s nothing more annoying than cleaning your glassware only for it to come out cloudy. So why is this happening? Well, there are actually a few possible reasons for cloudy dishes, and we are here to help out!
 
The first and most important reason is that you may not be using the right detergent for your glass. At Active we recommend that you use our Ultimate & Rapid Tablets, which contain a Rinse Aid formula. 
 
Dishes still cloudy?

Make sure your glasses are loaded in the top rack of the dishwasher to ensure they are avoiding any harsh waterflow from the bottom of the machine. Also, make sure your glassware is faced or angled downward so as to not collect any water at the end of the wash cycle.

If your glassware still remains cloudy after following these guidelines, it may be due to etching, which can happen over time. This occurs due to water conditions and the heat of the dishwasher.

Over the years, New Zealanders have increasingly become quite the coffee connoisseurs. Whether it’s venturing to the local café in the morning or whipping up an espresso at home, us Kiwis like to get in our fix of brewed deliciousness! But among all of the joy that coffee has to offer, there’s one painful consequence we come to endure…. Stains.

So how does one get rid of the unsettling rings that form on our coffee mugs? Well, here’s a few methods we have devised to give your cups and mugs the perfect clean:

  • The first option is to drink your coffee while it is remains heated so that you can scrub the coffee residue right away. This method isn’t for everyone however – especially if you’re taking it on the go or just want to relax!
  • Our second, and more suitable option for everyone, is to use Active’s Ultimate Tablets. These tablets are formulated to speed up drying, remove food, and rid of any detergent residue. Coffee requires a more powerful detergent as it leaves a more concentrated stain than other liquids. Active’s Ultimate Tablets, as our highest performing cleaning agent, is the perfect solution to evaporating any unwanted coffee stains.
  • Stains built up over time? Leave them in hot water to soak overnight to help lift the tough stains. Rinse them in the morning, and for best results, place the mugs or cups in the dishwasher using Active’s Ultimate or Rapid Tablets.
Nowadays, there’s a kitchen appliance for just about everything. Because of this however, we end up with some pretty odd items that need extra attention when it comes to washing up.

Oddly shaped items:

  • Unusually shaped dishes may need to be loaded differently depending on your dishwasher, so a bit of experimentation could be in order!
  • Items such as measuring spoons can be placed in the utensils compartment, however if they are plastic, they may be safer in the top rack to avoid the heat!
  • Larger items may be best to try in the bottom rack as the stronger waterflow may be able to better reach any strange nooks and crannies.

Cutlery items:

  • When loading the silverware, make sure you have a mix of spoons, knives & forks within each of the compartments to avoid any nesting.
  • Forks and spoons should be placed handle first so that the dirty party of the utensil is exposed to the waterflow.
  • Knives should face downwards to make placing/removing them safer.
  • Longer utensils such as tongs and spatulas are typically better placed in the top rack lying down.

Pots, pans, & other large items:

  • Placing pots and pans in the bottom rack of the dishwasher is good for two reasons. First, the bottom rack in a dishwasher typically has more space to fit larger, heavier items. And secondly, by placing these dishes in the bottom shelf they will be exposed to more waterflow.
  • It is important to make sure these items are angled so they do not collect water once the cycle is finished, but also to make sure the dishes are not blocking the water source.

To ensure your dishes get the best possible clean, it is important to make sure the dispenser is not blocked by any plates or tall items, as this will prevent the dispenser door from opening.

When dishwashers are properly looked after, they can run for a very long time. But what can you do to ensure it remains at its top performance?

Below, we have provided some helpful guidelines for what you can do to keep your dishwasher in tip-top shape!

  1. Keeping your Dishwasher Clean

There are multiple things you can do to keep your dishwasher fresh. First, make sure you scrape any large food particles off your dishes before loading them into the dishwasher. This will help avoid any leftover residue, as well as potential blockage in the dishwasher.

It is also important to maintain the cleanliness of the dishwasher interior, as a dirty interior could lead to an insufficient clean. We recommend that you use our Active Dishwasher Cleaner on a monthly basis. Our Dishwasher Cleaner is a powerful cleaning agent against buildup of residue in your dishwasher. It does this by breaking down dirt & grease in those hard to reach places like your dishwasher filter, spray arms and drain.

  1. Load it right!

If your dishwasher is not performing at its best, it could simply be because you are not loading your dishes correctly. Doing things such as blocking the waterflow or placing items on the wrong angle could be affecting the outcome of each cycle without you even realizing!

To ensure your dishes get the best possible clean, it is important to make sure the dispenser is not blocked by any plates or tall items, as this will prevent the dispenser door from opening.

At Active, we recognise that everyone’s dishwasher is somewhat different. Because of this, it is important to first check with your dishwasher manufacturer as to the recommended method for loading. For our guidelines on how to load your items efficiently, see the tip “How to load your Dishwasher”.

While handwashing may be thought of as a more efficient use of energy, it is actually quite the opposite!

When you use a dishwasher, a set amount of water is heated and recycled throughout the wash. Handwashing, on the other hand, will often involve a continuous flow of heated water. As a result, dishwashing ends up using a much less water.

More and more studies are showing that these machines continue to become more energy efficient. This means that the process of heating the water is also becoming more efficient in your dishwasher compared to handwashing.  Of course, it is still important to load your dishwasher correctly, but with efficient water & energy use, dishwashers are definitely the way to go!