Two different approaches
Affresh dishwasher cleaner tablets are a convenient option for a tablet-based maintenance routine. Its directions allow different placements depending on whether the machine is empty or contains dishes. Follow the current package and your appliance instructions instead of treating every tablet as a detergent substitute.
Finish’s liquid dishwasher cleaner uses a bottle placed in an empty machine according to its directions. That makes it a separate maintenance cycle rather than an everyday dishwashing product. Check the required cycle and do not remove components from the bottle unless directed.
Cleaner versus descaler
Greasy residue and mineral scale are different targets. Read what the product claims to remove and make sure the appliance maker permits it. If a machine has persistent food trapped in a filter, start with that physical obstruction rather than expecting a cleaner to dissolve everything.
For hard-water deposits, establish whether descaling is needed and how often the manual recommends maintenance. Avoid assuming a single schedule suits every household: loading, water hardness and frequency of use vary.
Make cleaning useful
Inspect the accessible filter, door edges and spray paths before running a treatment. Refit removable parts correctly. Record whether the original symptom improves; an odor returning immediately may point to retained food or a drainage problem.
Use only one cleaning product as directed. Do not combine bleach, acidic cleaners, descalers or homemade mixtures. If water remains where it should not, or the machine reports a fault, follow the model’s troubleshooting procedure rather than repeatedly running chemical treatments.