When it comes to cost, both dishwasher pods and liquid detergent have their advantages and disadvantages. Pods are typically more expensive upfront per load, but they offer the convenience of pre-measured portions and reduce the risk of overuse, ultimately saving you money in the long run.
If you're measuring properly with the lid when you use the liquid detergent (and not overdoing it like many people) then liquid is definitely cheaper than pods.
Of course, laundry pods aren't superior to regular detergents in every way by far. They are much more expensive than both liquid and powder detergents. Some can cost as much as 50 percent more. Powders are the most inexpensive of the options, followed by liquids, then pods.
Dishwasher liquids or gels are useful for some drawer-type dishwashers that can't use tablets, and are convenient as you can dose as little or as much as you like in your detergent dispenser. And although they can be cheaper than some tablets, they're generally not as effective as tablets or pods.
Liquid Dishwasher Soap Pros and Cons
Pro: You can control how much you use, which means less waste. Pro: Liquid dishwasher soap is easy to use. Con: It can be messy and difficult to measure. Con: If you don't buy the best liquid dishwasher detergent, sometimes it can leave spots or streaks on dishes.
There is some concern about whether dishwasher pods are the best option given the fact that they contain PVA and can have a negative effect on the environment and the plumbing in your home. "It's not necessarily that they aren't the best option, but more so if they can work for you," Novacek says.
No, you should only use dishwasher detergent in your dishwasher as it is designed specifically for your dishwasher to clean dishes without the use of suds or bubbles. Read on to learn what to do if you accidentally use dish soap in your dishwasher.
But one of the drawbacks of pods is that if you use them for shorter wash cycles, some might not dissolve all the way, says Larry Ciufo, who has tested hundreds of dishwashers over the past 20 years at CR.
Unclogging Drains
Got a clogged drain? A dishwasher tablet might be able to help. Just drop a tablet into the drain, then pour in some hot water. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then run some hot water down the drain.
Even if you use an all-in-one detergent that contains a rinse aid, we recommend using a separate rinse aid, in particular if your tap water is hard.
Con #3: They Require Space
PODS containers are great in theory as long as you have a place to put them. If your driveway isn't big enough, the POD won't be an option for you. If you try to put a POD on your grass, it will most definitely kill the grass, adding costs to this need for storage.
The Best Dishwasher Detergent
After a new round of testing, Cascade Free & Clear ActionPacs are still our top pick, and Cascade Platinum Plus ActionPacs remain our runner-up pick.
Cons of Laundry Pods
Of course, laundry pods aren't superior to regular detergents in every way by far. They are much more expensive than both liquid and powder detergents. Some can cost as much as 50 percent more. Powders are the most inexpensive of the options, followed by liquids, then pods.
It's unanimous! All four plumbers I spoke to recommend using dishwasher pods over liquid detergent. Pods are pre-measured, which means they're less likely to leave residue behind, and they perform better than liquid detergent. “I prefer Cascade Platinum Pods.
Choosing the Right Detergent for Your Dishwasher
If you prioritize convenience and ease of use, dishwasher pods may be the better option for you. They offer pre-measured portions that eliminate the need for measuring and pouring, and they are less messy than liquid detergent.
The dishwasher tablet will start to dissolve the limescale and you can continue until all marks have disappeared. It's a lucky coincidence that smol dishwasher tablets are designed to tackle hard water marks so the limescale deposits in your toilet bowl are completely fair game.
While these compact, pre-measured detergent packets have revolutionized how we clean our dishes, they can damage our home's plumbing systems, leading to costly repairs and frustrating blockages.
Squeeze in two to three drops of regular dish soap, the kind you'd use to hand-wash your dishes normally. Next, pour in baking soda until the compartment is full. Then run your dishwasher on the normal cycle. Don't be tempted to use a compartment full of dish soap.
"Rinse aid can help with drying and prevent water spots, especially if you have hard water—it can also make your dishes shine." While most dishwasher manufacturers expect owners to use rinse aid, it's not required: "You can skip it if your dishes are clean and dry without it," says Fleming.
Generally, dishwasher detergents are more cost-effective per wash compared to dishwasher pods. This is because you can control the amount of detergent you use with traditional detergents, whereas pods are pre-measured and can be more expensive per load.
If you put dish soap in the dishwasher, it will likely create a thick foam of suds inside the dishwasher that may eventually spill out through the dishwasher door. Dish soap relies in part on suds and bubbles to get your dishes clean. Dishwasher detergent relies mostly on enzymes to clean your dishes, rather than suds.
Use an enzymatic dishwasher detergent and rinse aid
A good detergent is arguably more important than a good dishwasher. A generic dishwasher detergent has far fewer and weaker ingredients than a pod like Cascade Free & Clear ActionPacs, the top pick in our guide to dishwasher detergent.
Just use 3 drops of dawn & fill the rest up with baking soda. Then run your cycle as usual and your dishes are clean.