DIY Dishwasher Pods You Can Make at Home

It’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it. We’re talking about washing dishes.

Dishwashers take a lot of the elbow grease out of this chore, scouring dishes and silverware until they’re sparkling clean.

But one way to add more dazzle to this task is extra savings. Store-bought dishwasher pods tend to be effective and efficient. Just pop one in and there’s the perfect amount of cleaning material available for your load. No overloading your washer with excess detergent that costs you more.

However, dishwasher pod costs can add up quickly. According to Consumer Reports, in 2022, you could be spending up to 43 cents on each pod per load. If you wash the dishes in your washer daily, that’s a cost of more than $150 a year on dishwasher pods alone!  

The good news is, you can save money and ensure your pods are eco-friendly when you create your own. In the recipe below, you’ll only spend around 5 cents per pod. That’s a savings of up to more than $138 a year if you wash your dishes each day!

This simple DIY dishwasher pods recipe is fun to create and even more enjoyable when you watch the savings add up.

How to make dishwasher pods

First, gather your DIY dishwasher pod ingredients. To make around 15 dishwasher pods, you’ll need:

• A silicone mold for items the size of typical dishwasher pods; you can also use an ice cube tray as an alternative
• An airtight container to store your pods, such as a glass mason jar
• 1 cup borax
• ¼ cup Epsom salt
• ¼ cup vinegar or lemon juice
• 1 cup washing soda
• 25 drops of essential oil of your choice – lemon has that kitchen-fresh scent, but choose your favorite!

To make DIY dishwasher pods, follow these steps.

• Mix dry ingredients (borax, washing soda, and Epsom salt) together in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
• Slowly add vinegar or lemon juice and mix well. The vinegar will bubble – that’s totally normal.
• Add in the essential oil drops. Mix together.
• Add the mixture into each mold. Press and pack it in to make sure it’s well-compacted.
• Wait at least 24 hours to allow the pods to harden. Don’t pop them out before then, because they’ll be likely to crumble.
• Store pods in the airtight container until you’re ready to use them.

How to use dishwasher pods

You can use your DIY dishwasher pods the exact same way you’d use store-bought pods. Just pop one into your dishwasher pod compartment, close the lid, set your washing cycle, shut the door, and let the pod get to work.

You can make lots of pods in bulk in advance, or start a new recipe when you’re running low. No more having to buy pods at the store, and the best part is, you get to choose any scent you want for your pods.

Love saving as much as you love clean dishes? Check your Save mailer for coupons on groceries and other home goods. And if you’re into DIY-ing, learn 9 self care items to make instead of buying.