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Do I need to scrub pots and pans before the dishwasher?Updated 4 days ago

TL;DR: Usually no. Dishwashing Tabs are designed to lift dried egg yolk and baked-on food, and most pots come out clean without scrubbing. For heavily burnt or greasy cookware, a 15-minute pre-treat with Kitchen Grease & Oil Cleaner does the heavy lifting before the wash.


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Koh Dishwashing Tabs tackling tough food
Koh Dishwashing Tabs before and after

When should I prep first?

For everyday dishes and lightly soiled pots, no scrubbing needed. Koh Dishwashing Tabs lift dried egg yolk, baked-on food, and most cookware residue in the wash cycle. Heavy soiling is the exception. For thick burnt-on food, scrape off large bits before loading. For stubborn grease or baked-on grime, spray cookware with Koh Kitchen Grease & Oil Cleaner and leave for 15 minutes before running the dishwasher. The pre-treat does the heavy lifting so the dishwasher cycle finishes the job.

✓ Quick prep for heavy soiling

Thick, baked-on, or burnt food benefits from a quick scrape before loading. Remove the bigger bits, loosen anything carbonised, and don't overload the dishwasher (water needs to reach every surface).

Remove large scraps Loosen burnt areas Don't overload

✓ 15-minute pre-treat

For stubborn grease or baked-on grime, spray cookware with Kitchen Grease & Oil Cleaner and leave for 15 minutes before starting the dishwasher cycle.

Spray surface Wait 15 minutes Run dishwasher

Which scrubbing tool should I use?

For tougher spots that need hands-on attention, work from gentlest to most abrasive. Koh Dish Brush handles everyday dishes and lightly stuck residue. Koh Scrubby Pads lift medium grime including baked-on food and dried sauces. Koh Diamond Sponge is the heavy-duty option for burnt cookware and oven racks, very abrasive so use caution on delicate, coated, or non-stick surfaces.

For tougher spots that need hands-on attention, work through these in order from gentlest to most abrasive.

✓ Gentle

Dish Brush for everyday dishes and lightly stuck residue.

Daily use

✓ Medium

Scrubby Pads for baked-on food and dried sauces.

Baked-on food

⚠ Heavy duty

Diamond Sponge for burnt cookware. Very abrasive, use caution on delicate, coated, or non-stick surfaces.

Burnt cookware Avoid non-stick
Koh Dishwashing Tabs 50pk

Dishwashing Tabs · for the wash

50pk. 10 ingredients, fragrance-free. Septic and grey water safe. Lifts dried egg yolk and baked-on food.

Koh Kitchen Grease and Oil Cleaner 1.8L

Kitchen Grease & Oil Cleaner · for the pre-treat

1.8L. Spray on greasy or baked-on cookware, wait 15 minutes, then dishwash. Does the heavy lifting before the cycle starts.

Last reviewed: July 2026 · Koh UK

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