The Popular '80s Drink People Are Cleaning Their Dishwasher With (And Whether It's A Terrible Idea)

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

A dishwasher can be your right-hand man when it comes to cleaning dishes, but every once in a while, it needs some TLC, too. We often use the appliance daily and rely on it to eliminate caked-on food and make dishes sparkle. But after all that tough work, a dishwasher can be left with soap scum and hard water deposits, meaning it won't perform at its best. Having cups and plates come out not as clean as they should is a common problem with dishwashers. Fortunately, there's a unique solution that might beam you straight back to childhood: Tang. More than just a classic, beloved drink of kids and astronauts, many people use it as a dishwasher cleaning hack and swear by the positive results.

Tang is a citrus drink that comes in a convenient powder form. It's packed full of vitamin C, so it was a go-to at breakfast time decades ago in place of orange juice — despite having lots of sugar. While it might not be as popular as it used to be, you can still find Tang Powdered Drink Mix at Walmart and other grocery stores. In addition to being delicious, Tang has been known for working wonders as a cleaning agent since it contains citric acid. When added to a dishwasher, the citric acid helps tackle the soap scum and hard water deposits, which are responsible for not-so-clean dishes. Plus, it's got a yummy, fruity smell.

Tang is an inexpensive cleaning solution that is non-toxic and easy to grab from a store. Its ability to clean dishwashers has been given the seal of approval from many people who've tried it out, including a certified Whirlpool technician. However, it's not recommended as the first method to run to. Tang contains a lot of sugar and other ingredients, so it's not as natural as cleaning your dishwasher with vinegar and baking soda, or just citric acid alone. And beware, its dye could leave stains on white dishes. But, if you need an easy fix for your dishwasher and all you have is some Tang in the cabinet, it can do the trick.

To clean your dishwasher with Tang, start by emptying all of the dishes out of it. Then, run hot water in your sink for a few moments, which will help preheat the water for the dishwasher. Close the dishwasher and start a hot water cycle, allowing it to run for 6 to 7 minutes without any dishes inside. After the time is up, open up the dishwasher and add 12 ounces of powdered Tang to the bottom of the appliance where the water is sitting. Close the door and let the cycle continue until it's all done. Once complete, the citric acid should have done its magic, battling the soap scum and hard water deposits. It should look cleaner and shinier inside the dishwasher, but consider spot-cleaning the interior if needed.