Abstract: There is provided an environmentally stable detergent article. Normally, hygroscopic caustic detergent materials can be made resistant to absorption of ambient humidity or water by introducing a barrier coating onto the caustic detergent. The barrier also renders the highly active alkaline material safe for human handling. The coated detergent article can further be enclosed in a film enclosure or wrapping which provides further protection for handling during production, shipment, storage and final end use. The coated article can be removed from any packaging material, inserted into a water spray-on dispenser and used to create a concentrated aqueous detergent for use in ware washing machines. In order to obtain control over dispensing, hydrophobic coatings can be nicked, split, peeled or partially removed using other means to provide an initial surface of caustic detergent exposed to the water spray.