Dishwasher detergents are collectively water-soluble products used for cleaning. There are 3 common types of dishwasher detergents. They include powders, gels, and pods or tablets.
Dishwasher pods or tablets are shaped like small blocks of concentrated dishwasher powder. Though, some pods may partly or completely contain dishwashing gel rather than powder. They are small tablets that contain a lot of concentrated detergents just right for one dishwasher wash cycle.
These tablets are enclosed in a tiny soluble film that bursts open and melts immediately it comes in contact with water. This frees the detergent enclosed within it thereby aiding a successful wash cycle.
The detergent most pods contain are more concentrated than those found in gel or liquid bottles. As a result, these pods clean better in each wash cycle. Some dishwasher detergent manufacturers use polyvinyl alcohol as the main ingredient for making the protecting film.
In recent times, dishwasher pods have different varieties to meet the needs of consumers. For example, natural pods, eco-friendly pods, scent-free pods, and so on are available. The good thing about pods is that they do not need to be measured compared to other dishwasher detergents.
In addition, dishwasher pods are convenient to use. A lot of them are environmentally safe. Using them is also easy because they need not be measured before use.
Hire a tutor to teach your kids how to use a dishwasher pod.
What is the right way to use a dishwasher pod?
Here is the right way to use your dishwasher pods:
- Take a dishwasher pod out of its pouch, ensure your hands are completely dry because the dishwasher pods will dissolve immediately upon contact with water.
- Insert the dishwasher pod into the detergent dispenser compartment and close it. Do not puncture the pouch or attempt to open it. The dishwasher pod dissolves upon contact with water.
- close the lid and set the wash cycle to “light” or “normal wash” and then press start.
They can be placed in the detergent dispenser or simply tossed into the floor or the main area of the machine.
If you prefer learning by video, this article is also explained here.
How Do You Use Dishwasher Pods?
The steps below will explain to you how to use your dishwasher pods:
- Load Your Dishwasher
- Insert the dishwasher pods into the detergent compartment.
- Add a finishing fluid
- Turn on the dishwasher
Video: How to Wash Dishes Properly and Efficiently
Watch this video to know how to load your dishwasher pods in your dishwasher detergent dispenser.
Load Your Dishwasher
How do you load a dishwasher?
- Load your dishes from the back to the front. This will let you fit in more dishwares.
- To unload this washer, begin from the bottom and work your way to the top. That way you will not drip water on your dried dishes.
- Thin plastics such as takeout bowls must be kept on the top rack of the dishwasher so they do not melt.
- When loading cups and bowls, make sure they are placed facing downwards. This prevents them from strolling puddles.
- Load the plates at the bottom of the shelve where the force from the spray is highest.
- Do not cram all the items together. You will end up with scratches on your dishwares. Do not make a habit of nesting dishwares together, what the water cannot reach cannot be washed.
- Do not pre-rinse your dishwares before putting them in the dishwasher. The dishwasher has a sensor in it that senses how dirty your dishes are and determines how long a wash cycle would last. When you pre-rinse your dish you are not making effective use of water. You also reduce the efficiency of the dishwasher.
This is the first thing to do before you add your dishwasher pod to the machine. Ensure that all items you load into the machine are dishwasher safe. Do not load kitchenware made from crystal, non-stick or copper pans, plastic, insulated mugs, and cast iron into your dishwasher. They may be damaged by the detergent or heat.
Non-dishwasher safe items are clearly marked on the product or on the label. Check this first before you load. Also, do not leave your dishes to sit for over twenty-four hours.
The lesser time they are left to sit in the machine, the unlikely it is to have grease and food remains on your dishes.
How Many Dishwasher Pod is Ideal For a Wash Cycle?
Use one pod for each standard-sized load. Dishwasher pods are packed and pre-measured for a standard dishwasher load. This makes it suitable and easy to throw a pod into your machine. Use only one pod for each standard dishwashing load.
If it is a full load with too many dirty dishes, add another pod. But be careful not to overload the machine. Some very light loads might have leftover pod remnants. You may wait until you have an almost full load before turning on your dishwasher.
Where To Put Dishwasher Pods
Put the dishwasher pod in the detergent dispenser. The dishwasher dispenser is located in the interior of the dishwasher door. You do not need to puncture the dishwasher pod as it will dissolve immediately it makes contact with water. The detergent dispenser is specifically designed for dishwashing detergents.
Close the door latch on the detergent dispenser tightly before you close the dishwasher door.
When you break this outer casing, it can cause disarray and irritate your skin.
Add the Finish Fluid
What is a dishwasher finish fluid?
A dishwasher finish fluid is a special type of gel added with the dishwasher pod to enhance the dishwasher wash cycle efficiency. When you add a finishing fluid with the dishwasher pods, it removes grease and food remains on your dishes. Leaving your dishes shiny and grime free.
Fill up the Rinse Aid dispenser in the machine with this finishing fluid.
The machine adds the right amount of finishing fluid to each load every time you run a wash cycle.
Turn on The Dishwasher
Adjust the temperature of the machine to between 125oF (52oC) and 140oF (60oF) if the machine has temperature regulator settings. This is the optimum temperature setting for dishwasher pods to perfectly clean your kitchenware.
What Are the Advantages of Dishwasher Pods?
The following are the advantages of using a dishwasher pod:
- Dishwasher Pods Are Effective in Cleaning
- Dishwasher Pods Saves Water and Energy
- Dishwasher Pods Are Economical
- Dishwasher Pods Are Convenience
- There Are Multiple Alternatives Of Dishwasher Pods
Dishwasher pods are known to improve the nature of the cleaning. They are a better option for conventional dishwashing powder. Take a look at five advantages of these pods:
They Are Effective in Cleaning
How do dishwasher pods improve the efficiency of cleaning?
Dishwashing pods improve the efficiency of the dishwasher wash cycle by releasing just the right amount of cleaning agent. The dishwasher pods are pre-measured and as a result, reduce the risk of over pouring. This prevents the problem of over flooding the dishwasher with suds and eliminates guesswork. Above all, they don’t damage your dishwasher.
Dishwashing pods eliminate the risk of dishwasher loads. You are sure of using the exact quantity of detergent required to give your dishes a sparklingly clean look every time.
Using too much detergent creates soap suds that may destroy dishwasher components or parts over time. This leaves you with faulty parts that need repairs or replacement.
Saves Water and Energy
How do dishwasher pods save more water and energy?
Dishwasher pods help save more water and energy by accurately dispensing the right quantity of suds required for a wash cycle. This implies that the dishwasher will only require minimal water to run its rinse cycle. Because the dishwasher spends less time running the rinse and wash cycle it saves more energy. The less time the dishwasher runs, the more power it saves.
Dishwasher Pods Are Economical
Why are dishwasher pods economical?
Dishwasher pods are economical to use because they provide excellent value for money. Not only are they efficient, but they are also device friendly. This means that your dishwasher will not get damaged because of too many suds. Too much suds is associated with adding too much detergent. Excessive suds will cause your device to break time over time.
Dishwashing powder is cheaper than dishwasher pods, but this is not true in real sense. When you use less effective powder for your dishwasher, it increases the risk of faulty parts. More repairs are inevitable, and the machine’s lifespan reduces.
Also, most people do not know the exact quantity of powder right for each wash leading to overloading. Since pods are premeasured, they are more efficient, and you are sure that your dishwashing cycle is accurately measured.
Convenience
Why do people prefer dishwasher pods?
Most people prefer dishwashing pods to other dishwashing detergents because they are easy to use. They do not spill like dishwasher liquid and powder. In addition, dishwasher pods function more during dishwashing wash cycles like pre-wash, washing and rinsing cycles.
Multiple Alternatives
There are different dishwasher pods options you can choose from. This depends on your dishwashing requirements. Most basic pods contain powder detergents in a pack form.
Others are composed of specially made power balls and gels that remove stains. They also protect dishwasher filters from mineral deposition and gives quality shine to your dishware.
Also available are fragrance variety that leaves your machine smelling fresh.
How to Choose Dishwasher Pods?
Choose a Superior Quality
It is important you choose standard dishwasher pods that can efficiently clean your dishware. This will give you great results that will meet your needs.
Choosing a powerful dishwashing pods saves energy and water as you won’t need to run another wash cycle to clean leftover food on dishes.
Some dishwasher pods are tagged with strong cleaning power such as 12X Power or 15X Power. They are said to have more grime-fighting constituents per dishwasher pod.
You can also choose scented pods depending on what suits you. They come in different varieties like lemon or fresh. Or go for odorless variants that have no added fragrances or dyes.
In addition, superior quality dishwasher pods do not use toxic constituents like synthetic chemicals or dyes.
Get Environmentally Friendly Dishwasher Pods
Environmentally friendly pods help to protect the ecosystem. You must make sure you get biodegradable pods that do not contain phosphates and artificial fragrances.
Always check the product label for ingredients used in its production to be sure they are eco-friendly.
Additionally, store your dishwasher pods under a perfect condition (cool and dry place) where they won’t come in contact with water. Store them in your kitchen cabinet away from your kitchen sink.
How to Make Homemade Dishwasher Pods?
Making your own homemade dishwasher pods is economical as you do not need to buy expensive pods sold in the grocery stores. Worrying about your kid confusing one of those beautifully designed pods as candy is over. They are efficient too and eco-friendly.
This DIY pod recipe can be made from natural and simple ingredients you may have already in the kitchen. We will share two recipe options, feel free to choose one that suits you.
How to Make Homemade Dishwasher Pods?
Option One
Instructions
- Mix baking soda (1 cup) and ¼ cup salt in a bowl.
- Add 2 tsp of natural dish soap, 2 tbs vinegar and mix properly. This makes the mixture damp.
- Add more quantity of vinegar until the mix feels wet and you can hold it together with your fingers.
- Pack about 1 tbs of the mixture into your ice cube silicone mold.
- Press it down with the tip of a spatula.
- Allow it to dry completely preferably in a dry and warm area. This takes about 24 to 48 hours.
- Remove the dishwasher pods or tablet from the ice cube mold gently and store them in an airtight container. Use when necessary.
How to Make Homemade Dishwasher Pods— Ingredients
- Baking soda.
- Distilled vinegar.
- Ice cube tray (silicon).
- Salt.
- Dish soap (Natural variant).
Note: This recipe makes about 15 dishwasher pods.
Baking soda removes grease.
Vinegar removes tough stains from dishes.
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How to Make Homemade Dishwasher Pods? Option Two
Instructions on how to make homemade dishwasher
- Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl.
- Add water and lemonade drink. Wait till the mixture stops fizzing. This takes about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add the mixture into your ice cube tray. Then press it down with the tip of a spatula.
- Allow it to dry completely in a warm and dry place for 24 hours or until they are completely dried.
- Remove from the ice cube trays and store in a closed container until when it is ready for use.
How to Make Homemade Dishwasher Pods— Ingredients
- One cup washing soda.
- One cup baking soda.
- One cup Kosher salt.
- One cup of water.
- Three packs of unsweetened lemonade drink.
Note: You can use jet-dry or vinegar in your Rinse-Aid dispenser along with your pods.
Washing soda is a cleaning agent.
Baking soda removes grease.
Lemonade drink is an antibacterial and cleaning agent. It adds fragrance to your pods.
Kosher salt reduces mineral build-up caused by hard water.
Where to Put Dishwasher Pods — Related FAQs
Can you just throw a pod in the dishwasher?
You should not just throw your dishwasher pods into the bottom of the dishwasher. You will end up damaging the dishwasher over time and the dishwasher will not wash your dishware properly. When you turn on your dishwasher and run the wash cycle, the dishwasher begins with a rinse cycle.
Having your dishwasher pods present during the first rinse cycle means that there will be little to no pods left during the wash cycle. The result, an improperly washed dish filed with grimes.
What Causes Dishwasher Pods to Not Dissolve?
The following combination of reasons will lead to your dishwasher not dissolving dishwasher pods:
Dishware blocking the dispenser cup: If you regularly overload your dishwasher then you will eventually have dishware obstruct the dispenser cup. Anything that obstructs the opening of the dispenser cup will result in the dishwasher not being able to dissolve the pods.
Water not going into the dishwasher: To figure out if your dishwasher is getting enough water, conduct this simple experiment. Put a large bowl inside the dishwasher. Let the bowl sit on the top rack of the dishwasher with the open end facing up. Next, run a full wash cycle. After that open the dishwasher, if the bowl is not filled with water then the dishwasher is not getting enough water.
Sticky dishwasher pods: This happens less frequently, if you insert the dishwasher pods with a wet hand, the pods might stick to the dispenser and will not dissolve completely.
What Can I Use Instead of a Dishwasher Tablet?
If you run out dishwasher tablet and detergents here is an alternative for you. Add a few drops of liquid washing soap such as Palmolive liquid soap in the dishwasher soap compartment. Then fill up the detergent compartment with powder baking soda then close it.
Run your dishwasher wash cycle the way you would have using regular dishwasher detergent. At the end of the washing cycle, you discover that your dishes are as clean as when you used a dishwasher detergent.
You will notice an enormous amount of foam gushing from the dishwasher, do not bother about that.
What Opens the Soap Door in A Dishwasher?
What opens the detergent door in your dishwasher is a tiny spring. This spring powers the soap disperser mechanism. At a predetermined time during the wash cycle, the spring activates and causes the soap dispenser to pop open. A jet of hot water then flushes the detergent off the dispenser, instantly producing suds.
These suds are now blasted over your dishes. This is how your dishwasher washes your dishes.
If you have a broken dishwasher, the detergent dispenser will not open properly. This will lead to increased grime leftover on the dishware after running a wash cycle.
How to Fix A Dishwasher Not Dissolving Detergent?
Your dishwasher will not dissolve detergent tablets if the temperature of the hot water in the dishwasher is not above 115F. Do not run the wash cycle if the dishwasher has not attained this temperature.
Ensure the spring opening mechanism of the dishwasher detergent dispenser door is in proper working condition. Putting a detergent bar that is too large for the detergent disperser will prevent the door from opening properly. Leading to an undissolved detergent bar.
Why Isn’t My Dishwasher Using the Soap?
Your dishwasher is not using the soap because of any combination of these reasons:
A blocked dispenser: inspect the detergent dispenser and see if it is blocked. Check if there is any detergent on the floor or in the dishwasher dispenser after running a wash cycle.
Objects Blocking the Dishwasher Dispenser: having tall dishware’s such as cutting boards and cookie sheets placed close to the dishwasher dispenser will prevent the dispenser from opening. Leading to unused detergent after running a wash cycle.
