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I was inspired to make my first batch of homemade dishwasher pods by a comment from a reader named Heather on a Facebook post about my DIY dishwasher detergent. Heather’s comment not only made me laugh, but it sparked the idea for a new, useful DIY creation! Here’s what she said:
“Jillee!!! Simply awesome! My dishes were DIRTY and CAKED with food. This homemade detergent is fantastic! One thing… The mixture in my container is already semi-solid. I had to knife it ‘Psycho’-style to get my tablespoon filled. Still works great, but I was surprised by how easily it bonded! Thank you for the work you do!”
– OGT Reader Heather
As I read about Heather’s efforts to break up her block of DIY dishwasher detergent, it occurred to me that if the detergent was already prone to solidifying, it surely wouldn’t take much effort to turn the detergent into solid DIY dishwasher tablets. I decided to take a “stab” at it, and thus my homemade dishwasher pods were born!
These homemade detergent tabs are extremely inexpensive compared to their store-bought counterparts, and it only takes a few minutes to make them. Read on to see how it’s done!
Jillee’s Take:
Table Of Contents
DIY Dishwasher Detergent Pod Ingredients
In case you haven’t had a chance to check out my post about homemade dishwasher detergent, here’s a quick overview of what goes into it. (We’re using the same formula here to make the pods.)
- Washing soda (or baking soda): These alkaline powders aid in dishwashing by converting stubborn oils and food grease into water-soluble salts that are easier to wash away.
- Borax: With a pH level between baking soda and washing soda, borax also aids in cleaning, deodorizing, and cutting tough grease.
- Salt: Salt helps soften the water in your dishwasher and boost the effectiveness of the various cleaning agents.
- Vinegar: White vinegar fights hard water and, in this formula, helps bind the ingredients to form a solid pod or tablet.
- Lemon essential oil: Lemon oil provides antibacterial properties and a fresh, clean scent!
How To Make Homemade Dishwasher Pods
Materials:
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon
- Silicone molds or ice cube trays (cavities should hold 1-2 tablespoons each)
Ingredients:
- 2 cups washing soda (or baking soda)
- 2 cups borax
- 1/2 cup coarse salt (or Epsom salt)
- 1/2 cup vinegar
- 15-20 drops lemon essential oil
Directions:
Add all the ingredients to a mixing bowl and stir well with a spoon. (The vinegar will fizz a bit when added to the baking soda, but that’s fine.) As you stir, the mixture will begin to form clumps.
Divide the detergent mixture evenly among the cavities of a silicone mold (or ice cube tray). Ideally, you want to use a silicone mold with cavities that hold 1-2 tablespoons each. (Ice cube trays are about the right size, but you’ll have a much easier time removing the pods from a silicone mold.)
Use your fingers to pack the damp powder down firmly into each cavity. Press hard to ensure the finished dishwasher pods are solid and not crumbly!
Finally, leave the mold in a warm, dry location for at least 24 hours. When the detergent pods are completely dry and solid, carefully remove them from the mold and store them in an airtight container. (If you have a silica gel packet handy, toss it in the container to help keep them dry!)
How To Use Homemade Dishwasher Tabs
- Place one detergent pod in your dishwasher’s detergent compartment.
- Add 2 drops of a dishwashing liquid like Dawn. (This is optional for added grease-cutting power, but do not use more than 2 drops, or you could end up with very sudsy mess to clean up.)
- Place a small bowl in the top rack of your dishwasher, pour about 1/2 cup of white vinegar into it, then shut the door and start your dishwasher.
- Enjoy sparkling clean dishes!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Homemade Dishwasher Pods And Why Should I Make Them?
Homemade dishwasher pods are just homemade dishwasher detergent formed into a handy pre-measured pod, tab, or pack. They offer all of the convenience of store-bought dishwasher pods while being less expensive and having fewer harsh chemicals.
What Ingredients Do I Need To Make Homemade Dishwasher Pods?
You’ll need a few simple ingredients, including washing soda or baking soda, borax, salt, and lemon essential oil. These ingredients cut through grease and grime and leave dishes sparkling.
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Can I Use Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Pods If I Have Hard Water?
Absolutely! With hard water, it’s crucial to use white vinegar in conjunction with your homemade dishwasher detergent pods. Putting a small, shallow dish of vinegar on the top rack of your dishwasher makes a big difference!
How Many Dishwasher Pods Does This Recipe Make?
The number of pods this recipe makes will depend on the size of your mold. The detergent recipe yields about 48 tablespoons, so if the cavities of your mold hold two tablespoons, you’ll end up with 24 pods.
Do I Have To Put Pods In The Detergent Compartment?
It matters where you put dishwasher pods! Most dishwasher cycles start with a hot water rinse before the detergent compartment opens. So if you placed your detergent pod in the bottom of your dishwasher, all the detergent could be dissolved before the wash cycle begins in earnest.
Can I Add Citric Acid To My Detergent Pods?
Many people use citric acid in dish detergent recipes, but I prefer the formula featured in this post. You can always give it a try and let me know how it goes!
Can I Use Lemon Juice Instead Of Vinegar?
Lemon juice and vinegar are both acids, but vinegar’s lower pH makes it better for dishwashing and rinse aid purposes. You can still enjoy the fresh, clean scent of lemons by including lemon oil in your pods!
Conclusion
This dishwasher tablet recipe has joined the ranks of my DIY laundry detergents by becoming one of my favorite homemade cleaning products. These pods have no harsh ingredients, plastic, perfumes, or dyes — just a few simple ingredients that cost a fraction of what you’d pay for store-bought dishwasher tabs.
These dishwasher pods are easy to make, and leave my dishes sparkling clean. Try them out for yourself!
Do you use dishwasher pods at home?
Homemade Dishwasher Pods (Step-by-Step)
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Spoon
- Silicone mold with 2-tablespoon cavities
Ingredients
- 2 cups washing soda or baking soda
- 2 cups borax
- 1/2 cup coarse salt or Epsom salt
- 1/2 cup vinegar
- 20 drops lemon essential oil
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a mixing bowl and stir well. (The vinegar will cause a little fizzing, but not much.)
- Divide the mixture evenly among the cavities of a silicone mold and pack them down firmly with your fingers.
- Place the mold in a warm location to dry for 24 hours.
- When dry and solid, remove the finished pods and store them in an airtight container.
Notes
- Place one pod in your dishwasher’s detergent compartment.
- Add 2 drops of a dishwashing liquid like Dawn. (This is optional for added grease-cutting power, but do not use more than 2 drops.)
- Pour about 1/2 cup of white vinegar into a shallow dish, place it in the top rack, and start your dishwasher.
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