Treat Your Dishwasher With These Dishwasher Pods
Best Dishwasher Pods
Face it, your dishwasher does a job that neither you nor anyone else in your household wants to tackle. No one enjoys being elbow deep in dirty dishwater, cleaning plates, pots, pans, and cutlery. Having a machine that does the job on your behalf and better than any human could is a luxury, so your dishwasher should be a prized possession.
If you want your dishwasher to look after you, then you need to take care of it. One of the best ways to accomplish this is by using high-quality cleaning materials to help your machine get your dishes sparkling clean using minimal time, energy, and water.
While many people continue to use dishwasher detergent, others have converted to dishwasher pods. Here is what you need to know about them.
What Are Dishwasher Pods?
A dishwasher pod is a small package that fits into your dishwasher’s detergent drawer. Each is covered by a thin layer of plastic.
It might be hard to believe, but when using dishwasher pods, there is no need to buy any other detergent products as everything the machine needs to turn out a load of sparklingly clean dishes is inside this pod.
Dishwasher pods are single-use products and will only serve for one dishwashing cycle. Therefore, manufacturers sell them in bulk, so consumers have them handy whenever it is time to get their dishwasher going.
For example, you might buy a bag of 30, one for each day of the month.
How Are Pods Different From Regular Dishwasher Detergents?
When using regular dishwashing detergents, you typically need three products: soap, coarse salt, and rinse aid. Each plays a specific role in the dishwashing process.
Salt softens the water, essential for successful dishwashing as the detergent works best in soft water. Rinse aid reduces the water’s surface tension, preventing it from sticking to surfaces, draining and evaporating excess fluids. This prevents watermarks on glass.
Pods are an all-in-one product, making the three-step dishwasher preparation process unnecessary. Unless you live in a hard water area, there is no need to monitor and manage a dishwasher’s salt and rinse aid levels.
Everything the machine needs is encapsulated in a single pod. These pods contain a concentrated amount of detergent, specifically designed and measured to clean a single load of dishes.
Each pod has a plastic film around it, made from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). This substance is water soluble and dissolves the instant it touches water. Therefore, you do not need to peel the film off before using a pod.
Whether in its older form or a pod, dishwasher detergent acts as a surfactant, allowing water to wash debris off the dishes. It is also lipophilic, binding to fats and grease, aiding in their removal.
Finally, it is also hydrophilic, making it water-soluble and easy to wash away. Dishwashing detergent for manual dishwashing has identical properties.
The Pros of Pods
The first advantage of dishwasher pods that should spring to mind is convenience. Popping a pod into your dishwasher detergent receptacle takes far less time than checking and filling the salt and rinse aid before adding liquid or powder detergent.
When using dishwasher pods, you minimize waste. Many people are too generous with the detergent when adding it to their machine manually. Everything is pre-measured when you use a dishwasher pod.
Many users have questioned whether pods are environmentally friendly due to the PVA film that covers them. As this polymer dissolves completely, it leaves no trace elements on your dishes or the wastewater draining from the machine during its wash cycle.
PVA is not harmful to people and protects your hands from the detergent chemicals when handling a pod. Always ensure that your hands are dry when working with dishwasher pods.
The Cons of Pods
Dishwasher pod manufacturers make their product for an average dishwasher on a full load cycle. However, some people own smaller machines or prefer to run their machines on the half-load setting.
The contents of a pod will be too concentrated for such instances. It is advisable to ensure that your chosen pod is compatible with your dishwasher’s size and wait until your machine is full before running it with a pod.
Detergents are harsh chemicals, and those inside a dishwasher pod are no exception. These substances are not good for the environment and could be harmful if remnants remain on the dishes and humans ingest them.
However, this is a rare occurrence. Manufacturers are continually working on products that are more natural and contain fewer chemicals. Research your options and find pods that do minimal harm to the environment and your household.
Consider These Dishwasher Pod Brands
Cascade Platinum Plus+ is a recognized dishwasher pod brand that delivers on its promise of being tough on stubborn dirt and grease while requiring no pre-wash cycle. Its lemon-scented pods are a firm favorite among North America’s dishwasher brands and users.
Those considering a greener approach should consider Dropps Dishwasher Detergent Pods. The company works to minimize its carbon footprint in its shipping and packaging processes.
The unscented pods contain more natural products but, despite this, do not leave any filmy residue behind.
Method Dishwasher Packs cut through grease and stuck-on food, leaving dishes looking and smelling sparkling clean with the pod’s lemon mint scent. These products are certified cruelty-free, meaning they are not tested on animals.
Method’s pods work effectively in hard water areas without requiring additional softening agents.
Seventh Generation's Fragrance-Free Dishwasher Detergent Pack might cost a little more than its competitors, but its plant-based formula and limited harmful chemical ingredients make it a safe alternative.
78% of these pods’ ingredients are bio-based, and all other contents are specified on the packaging.
The Finish Quantum Infinity Shine Dishwasher Tablets are an international gold standard available in many countries worldwide. Most users swear by them to tackle grease and food remnants and complete the dishwashing cycle with a streak-free finish.
The pods contain three components: one breaks down pieces of food, the other cuts through grease, and the last ensures that dishes wash evenly without leaving streaks.
