How to Use Dishwasher Pods

Co-authored by Regina DeCorte

Last Updated: December 18, 2022 References

Dishwasher pods are easily one of the most convenient and effective ways to clean the dishes in your dishwasher. The small, individualized pods can be popped right into your dishwasher without the messy measuring of liquids, powders, or gels. The best part is, they are simple to use and can often be environmentally friendly too.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Loading Your Dishwasher

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Make sure all of your items are dishwasher-safe. The first step before adding your pod to the dishwasher is ensuring that all of the items you have loaded are dishwasher-safe. Avoid adding items that are made of cast iron, crystal, plastic, copper or nonstick pans, and insulated mugs into the dishwasher as these might be ruined by the heat and detergent.^{[1]
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- Items that are not dishwasher-safe often have a warning on their packaging or right on the product, so check the product before you add it to your load.
- Try not to let your dishes sit for more than 24 hours. The less time you leave them sitting in your dishwasher, the less likely you are to have caked on food and grease.
2
Use a single pod for a regular-sized load. One of the benefits of the pods is that they are individually packaged and measured for a typical dishwasher load, which makes it convenient and easy for you to pop one into the dishwasher. If you have a regular dishwashing load, use one pod.
- If you have a full load that is heavily soiled, you should add in a second pod. Be sure not overload your dishwasher.^{[2]
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- Be aware that very light dishwashing loads may have leftover residue from the pod, so you may want to wait to turn on your dishwasher when you have a close to a full load.^{[3]
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Place the pod in your dishwasher detergent dispenser. Ensure that you are placing the pod in the correct place in your dishwasher – this is typically located on the inside of the door to your dishwasher and is designated for dish detergents or dishwashing pods.
- Close the latch tightly on the dispenser before closing the door to your dishwasher.^{[4]
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- Do not try to pierce or open the dishwasher pod in any way. The casing of the pod is meant to help measure out the individual packaging of the pods, as well as easily dissolved in the dishwasher with the contents. Breaking the outer casing of the pod can create a mess and can be irritating to your skin.^{[5]
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4
Add a finishing liquid to your dishwashing load for optimal results. In some cases, adding a finishing liquid with the pod can help the pod clean away caked on food and grease, and leave your glassware shiny and streak free.
- Fill the rinse-aid dispenser in your dishwasher with the finishing liquid, and it will automatically add the correct amount of liquid to the load for you each time.
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Turn your dishwasher on and let the pod work its magic. If your dishwasher has temperature control settings, adjusting the temperature between 125 °F (52 °C) and 140 °F (60 °C) is the optimal heat setting for the pods to clean your dishes.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Choosing and Storing Your Dishwasher Pods

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Choose a high-quality dishwasher pod. To ensure that your dishwasher pod is going to effectively clean your dishes, you’ll need to find the right set of pods that work for best for your needs.
- Choosing a powerful dishwasher pod will ensure that you don’t have to use an extra one (and extra water and energy) on another cycle if there is food left behind.
- Look for pods that are labeled with concentrated cleaning power, for example, “15 X Power” or “12 X Power.” This means there are more grease-fighting ingredients per pod.
- Depending on your preference, you can choose between scented pods, which come in fragrances like Fresh or Lemon, or if you’d prefer you can opt for the odorless pods with no added dyes or fragrances.
- High-quality dishwasher pods tend to steer clear of toxic ingredients like synthetic dyes and chemicals, which will be printed on the labels.^{[6]
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Select pods that are environmentally friendly. If you tend to rinse your dishes quite well before you put them in the dishwasher and like to choose eco-friendly cleaning products for your kitchen, select a pod that is environmentally friendly to reduce your green footprint.^{[7]
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- In general, if you are looking for a more eco-friendly product, make sure to pick a dishwasher pod that is biodegradable and free from artificial fragrances and phosphates.^{[8]
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- It’s good to remember that even if a product states on its packaging that it is “green,” you should always read the list of ingredients because this may not be the case.^{[9]
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Store your pods in a fresh and dry environment. Since detergent is water-activated, be sure to keep the pods stored in a place where they will not be in contact with water.
- Keeping your pods away from the sink and stored in a kitchen cabinet near the dishwasher is optimal.^{[10]
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Community Q&A

Question

Does it matter if the pod is powder side up or gel side up?

Hollyanncan

Community Answer

No. It does not matter which side is facing up, as long as you have it placed in the right compartment before you begin the wash cycle.
Question

Can you just throw a pod in the dishwasher?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

The problem is that if you simply add the pod into the dishwasher instead of the dispenser, then it will dissolve quickly in the pre-wash cycle. That means there won't be any detergent left for the main washing cycle, which is when your dishes really get cleaned and sanitized. It's best to add the pod into the dispenser so it can properly clean your dishes.
Question

How do dishwasher pods work?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

Dishwasher pods are self-contained packets of detergent wrapped in a water-soluble polymer that dissolves at room temperature. That means that when it comes into contact with water, the polymer and detergent dissolve into the water forming a cleaning solution that effectively cleans. Combined with the heat of the water, your dishes come out sparkling clean and sanitized.

Warnings

Detergent pods are poisonous when ingested as they contain bleach and enzymes.

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Pods are meant for external use only.

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Keep pods out of reach of children.

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Do not ingest pods and keep the ingredients away from your skin.^{[11]
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