Glisten vs Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner
Glisten and Affresh do the same job — one tablet a month in an empty dishwasher stripping grease, limescale and odour film — and both do it well. The honest differences are scent and emphasis: Affresh leads fragrant-free, Glisten is the price-comfortable default. Your machine doesn't care which; your nose might.
No dishwashers were cleaned in a lab by our team; comparison synthesises manufacturer data and owner feedback.
| Feature | Glisten Dishwasher Cleaner | Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner |
|---|---|---|
| Scent | Unscented-leaning | Fragrance-free |
| Hard-water | Strong | Standout |
| Format | Tablet | Tablet |
| Brand family | Sink-side cleaner | Appliance cleaner |
| Dose cost | Low | Low-moderate |
The differences
Affresh's whole selling point is a fragrance-free formula from the appliance-cleaner brand homeowners most associate with washing-machine tablets — a clean target for the dishwasher's food-contact reality. Glisten is the generalist workhorse, priced for the habit: same monthly cadence, similar result.
Performance
Both strip grease, limescale and odour. In hard-water homes the film bombardment is the same; the real separation is scent preference and whether you value the brand's proven machine-care pedigree.
Maintenance
Same habit: one tablet, empty machine, hot cycle, monthly. Both expect you to also rinse the filter by hand — no tablet replaces that.
Use cases
Best value and a comfortable habit → Glisten. Fragrance-free, hard-water emphasis, and pairing with the washer-cleaning routine → Affresh.
Winner by category
Everyday value.
Genuinely fragrance-free.
Targeted formula.
Both dissolve.
Verdict
Monthly maintenance is the habit; either brand delivers it. Pick Glisten for value and straightforwardness, or Affresh for the fragrance-free angle and hard-water targeting. You can't lose on the core job either way.
Frequently asked questions
Is Affresh really scent-free?
Yes — the fragrance-free formula leaves no added scent on your dishes, which is the point for a machine that holds them.
How do I run a dishwasher cleaner properly?
Remove the tablet from its wrapper, place it in the empty dishwasher as the label directs, and run a hot cycle. Empty machine, follow the placement.
Glisten Dishwasher Cleaner — Full review
Glisten Dishwasher Cleaner
Tablet that breaks down grease, limescale and odour inside the dishwasher.
Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner — Full review
Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner
Fragrance-free tablets that remove residue and odours from the dishwasher.
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