These DIY dishwasher soap pods are simple to make and work incredibly well. They are made with all-natural ingredients to help keep toxins out of your home.
The dishwasher is full of dirty dishes, and you reach under the sink to grab a soap pod and realize you are out, has that ever happened to you before? The only thing worse than emptying the dishwasher is emptying dirty dishes out of it that still need to be hand-washed.
I have found myself in this position before, along with having a full load of dirty clothes and no laundry soap. Times like these leave me digging around to see what I can find in my house to make do. These little emergencies have brought me many new DIY recipes that I still use today!
The best part? These homemade products are always all-natural and usually work just as well as the real thing. Today, I am going to share a simple DIY dishwasher soap pod that actually works!
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Mix all your dry ingredients in a medium-size mixing bowl.
Pour the vinegar over the dry ingredients. Once the bubbles go down, stir well.
Add lemon essential oil and stir well.
Transfer the mixture to an ice cube tray or silicone molds. Press the mixture down into the molds.
Allow the molds to sit overnight to make sure it is completely dry and then pop the mixture out of the molds. (If you are in a hurry and need it right away, you can put 1 tablespoon of powder into the dishwasher without it being dry, and it will still work just fine.)
HOW TO USE YOUR DISHWASHER PODS
Place one pod into the soap compartment per load. You can also add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the bottom of the dishwasher to prevent streaks and cloudy dishes. This is an especially good idea to do if you have hard water. It is optional and doesn’t need to be done every load.
A LITTLE ON THE INGREDIENTS
WASHING SODA- Washing soda is sodium carbonate that is dissolved in water for washing and cleaning. It is a natural cleaner and can be used as a water softener. Washing soda is also neutralizing and eliminates odors.
BORAX- Borax has been used to disinfect, whiten, and kill mold and mildew for many, many years. It is used in all sorts of cleaning products, and it is very good at cutting grease and getting stains out.
EPSOM SALT– Most people, know epsom salt can be used to relieve sore muscles, but did you know it can be used as a natural household cleaner? It is really good at removing hard, cooked-on food from pots and pans.
VINEGAR– Vinegar will naturally disinfect your dishes while providing shine. Adding vinegar to your dish soap or dishwasher will prevent the dishes from coming out looking cloudy. Vinegar will be extremely helpful if you have hard water because it can remove that, along with leftover soap residue.
LEMON ESSENTIAL OIL– Lemon oil is very cleansing and purifying. It will add that clean scent to your dish soap and purify at the same time.
OTHER ESSENTIAL OILS YOU CAN USE
I love the fresh smell of lemon essential oil in the kitchen, but you can use other oils as well. Wild orange, lime, bergamot, and other citrus essential oils are more great oils to use because of their cleansing and purifying properties.
Melaleuca and doTERRA on guard are more essential oils that would be good for cleaning dishes. You can use a single oil, or you can blend a few together to make a different scent.
WHY HOMEMADE DISHWASHER PODS?
It’s cheaper! These pods come out to cost less than 5 cents a wash!
It’s natural! When you buy conventional dishwasher soap from the store, it will have a lot of ingredients that you won’t be able to pronounce on the back. That is what I try to avoid.
It’s better for the environment! Less plastic and packaging are involved when you make your own at home.
Have you ever made your own dishwasher pods before? How did they work? Did you add in essential oils? I would love to hear your recipes in the comments below!
I was taught that vinegar and baking soda make a toxic acid and gives off fumes that are also toxic to breathe. And therefore, should not be mixed together at home. Did anyone else learn this in chemistry class? Please let me know.
You’re thinking of bleach (sodium hypochlorite) and vinegar not baking soda. Vinegar and baking soda are a great combination. The reaction causes foam and bubbles that loosen grease and grime. Bleach and vinegar tho, deadly.
To answer your question, yes. Mixing washing soda and vinegar will neutralize both, severely reducing their respective abilities. Mixing them during the cleaning process may help in certain situations (introducing one or the other into the “mess” and then adding the 2nd may loosen said “mess” via the reaction), however cleaning with them after the reaction has happened is not much better than cleaning with water (which is quite effective in many situations). Either alone is better than both together, despite them doing different things.
I made my first batch and love, love, love it. Is there a certain size or weight each pod should be to properly clean the dishes? Standard ice cube trays are much larger than the decorative (Heart) silicone trays I used.
Love your website! Ive made so many things for myself and family. I think you are awesome for all you do and taking care of your family with safer and more natural things. KUDDOS to you!
After a lot of research I find it to be safe in to use for this recipe. It is a very conservational ingredient for sure, so definitely do what you find is best for you!
The appliance tech who installed our new dishwasher warned us to NEVER use dishwasher pods, commercial or homemade. If the water doesn’t get hot enough to dissolve the pod ingredients completely, the outtake hose can become clogged. Worst case scenario: service call + voided warranty. I don’t use anything but liquid dishwasher detergent after that heads up.
Hello Laura,
Wow, this is awesome! I recently wondered if there was a way to make these at home. Then, I found you on Pinterest. Thank you for sharing this fabulous recipe and I will definitely be trying this soon. All the best!
Hi Laura – trying this for the first time ! My mixture looks very dry compared to yours. Also, how many pods should this make? I have a tray with 10 spots and I have not used half the mixture.
I also have a stainless dishwasher so I hope it is ok to use them. Will do a load tomorrow. Fingers crossed 🙂
I think it’s a great idea to make everything you can at home. However, a installation tech advised me not to use white vinegar in my dishwasher and not to use pods, because in my area the water isn’t hard to use the pods. Some of you may want to check that, before problems occur.
I love this idea and will most definitely give it a try. However the 5cent per pod is misleading. It is 0.42 cents per pod here in Canada excluding the price of the vinegar Epson salts and oils. Those are items I already have.
Hi! I just made these for the first time and used one in my dishwasher.. but my dishes came out with a powdery coating. I tried to run another cycle with just water and nothing is removing the coating. Any suggestions?
Hi Laura,
I just recently made up a batch of dishwasher pods from your recipe. Unfortunately, it did not get rid of the tea stains in he cups. Help please!
Can this be made as a powder and then just add the vinegar to the dishwasher separately? I would prefer to just scoop in the powder instead of making it into pods. Thank you!!
I made this pod but it’s not working well to clean the dishes. Glass type cups/plates are having white cloudy marks and those things are all over the dishwasher. Do you have any tips to make this beyond the recipe? TIA
I made these and used them with vinegar in the bottom of my dishwasher and my glasses were still coming out cloudy and lots of dishes not clean…….I even tried filling my rinse aid compartment with vinegar and no change…..?
Went back to my cascade pods and everything is sparkling and clean again……..what do I need to do different????
I am sorry it is not working for you. With so many comments of it working well for some and not for others, I think it has to do with hard or soft water.
Brittany says
Thanks for all you do.You have saved me so much money and have taught me so much.. I enjoy watching you on YouTube .
lauraascher says
Thank you so much for following along with me!! I am so glad you are finding my content helpful!
Dori says
Hello, is vinegar and washing soda neurtalizing each other? One is Acid and one is alkali. Sorry for my English
CJ says
I was taught that vinegar and baking soda make a toxic acid and gives off fumes that are also toxic to breathe. And therefore, should not be mixed together at home. Did anyone else learn this in chemistry class? Please let me know.
Kat says
I use vinegar and baking soda for cleaning all the time. I never learned that it is toxic. It seems fine to me.
Lisa says
You’re thinking of bleach (sodium hypochlorite) and vinegar not baking soda. Vinegar and baking soda are a great combination. The reaction causes foam and bubbles that loosen grease and grime. Bleach and vinegar tho, deadly.
Ben says
To answer your question, yes. Mixing washing soda and vinegar will neutralize both, severely reducing their respective abilities. Mixing them during the cleaning process may help in certain situations (introducing one or the other into the “mess” and then adding the 2nd may loosen said “mess” via the reaction), however cleaning with them after the reaction has happened is not much better than cleaning with water (which is quite effective in many situations). Either alone is better than both together, despite them doing different things.
Audrey says
Wondering if these pods can be used in stainless steel dishwasher
Laura says
I am not exactly sure, I don’t have stainless steel. I need to check into this!
Jackie says
I made my first batch and love, love, love it. Is there a certain size or weight each pod should be to properly clean the dishes? Standard ice cube trays are much larger than the decorative (Heart) silicone trays I used.
Laura says
I am so glad you like it! I would stick with the smaller trays if you think it is working well!
Dee Raymond says
Love your website! Ive made so many things for myself and family. I think you are awesome for all you do and taking care of your family with safer and more natural things. KUDDOS to you!
Laura says
Thank you so very much for the sweet comment!! I am so glad you are enjoying my content!
Kristy says
Isn’t borax bad also they give it a D
Laura says
After a lot of research I find it to be safe in to use for this recipe. It is a very conservational ingredient for sure, so definitely do what you find is best for you!
Mandy says
The appliance tech who installed our new dishwasher warned us to NEVER use dishwasher pods, commercial or homemade. If the water doesn’t get hot enough to dissolve the pod ingredients completely, the outtake hose can become clogged. Worst case scenario: service call + voided warranty. I don’t use anything but liquid dishwasher detergent after that heads up.
Laura says
Thank you so much for sharing!!
Abbey says
You have a silicon mold, it’s pink, in your Amazon store. Do you know about how many pods at that size this would make?
Laura says
Around 12
Abbey says
Thank you!!
Abbey says
Would I be able to use half of the circle of the stainless steel molds from the toilet cleaner bomb post for these dishwasher pods?
Laura says
I think it will be hard to get them out of those without breaking them.
Judy says
Why did my soap not dissolve in my soap dispenser? And can you use this in stainless steel inside dish washer?
Laura says
Try adding 1/4 cup of vinegar to the bottom of the dishwasher.
Ashley says
Hello Laura,
Wow, this is awesome! I recently wondered if there was a way to make these at home. Then, I found you on Pinterest. Thank you for sharing this fabulous recipe and I will definitely be trying this soon. All the best!
Laura says
Thank you so much!
Lisa Hachey says
Hi Laura – trying this for the first time ! My mixture looks very dry compared to yours. Also, how many pods should this make? I have a tray with 10 spots and I have not used half the mixture.
I also have a stainless dishwasher so I hope it is ok to use them. Will do a load tomorrow. Fingers crossed 🙂
Laura says
You can add more liuquid to get it to be the right consistency.
Nancy says
I think it’s a great idea to make everything you can at home. However, a installation tech advised me not to use white vinegar in my dishwasher and not to use pods, because in my area the water isn’t hard to use the pods. Some of you may want to check that, before problems occur.
Laura says
Thanks for sharing!
Michelle says
I love this idea and will most definitely give it a try. However the 5cent per pod is misleading. It is 0.42 cents per pod here in Canada excluding the price of the vinegar Epson salts and oils. Those are items I already have.
Laura says
I didn’t think about different countries. Sorry about that!
Morgan says
Hi! I just made these for the first time and used one in my dishwasher.. but my dishes came out with a powdery coating. I tried to run another cycle with just water and nothing is removing the coating. Any suggestions?
Laura says
Add a little vinegar to the bottom of the dishwasher before running the cycle.
Gilliana says
Hi Laura,
I just recently made up a batch of dishwasher pods from your recipe. Unfortunately, it did not get rid of the tea stains in he cups. Help please!
Laura says
Add 1/4 cup of vinegar to the dishwasher before running.
Mandi says
Can this be made as a powder and then just add the vinegar to the dishwasher separately? I would prefer to just scoop in the powder instead of making it into pods. Thank you!!
Laura says
Yes, you can break it up and make it a powder if you prefer.
Eileen says
I made this pod but it’s not working well to clean the dishes. Glass type cups/plates are having white cloudy marks and those things are all over the dishwasher. Do you have any tips to make this beyond the recipe? TIA
Laura says
Yes, add 1/4 cup of vinegar to the bottom of your dishwasher and it will fix that.
Marci Lee Pittman says
Is there an easy way to print this recipe?
Laura says
At the bottom of the post is a recipe card that you can print.
Kayla Copeland says
I made these and used them with vinegar in the bottom of my dishwasher and my glasses were still coming out cloudy and lots of dishes not clean…….I even tried filling my rinse aid compartment with vinegar and no change…..?
Went back to my cascade pods and everything is sparkling and clean again……..what do I need to do different????
Laura says
I am sorry it is not working for you. With so many comments of it working well for some and not for others, I think it has to do with hard or soft water.