10 Genius Ways to Use Dishwasher Pods
Dishwasher pods are formulated primarily for dishwashers, so viral lists often exaggerate how useful they are around the house. Using them on the wrong surfaces can cause damage, leave chemical residue, or create irritating fumes.
If you want to use them beyond washing dishes, here are 10 safer, practical alternatives to consider:
Clean the dishwasher itself — Use a product according to the dishwasher manufacturer’s cleaning instructions rather than improvising with a pod.
Degrease dishwasher-safe items — A pod can be appropriate for items that the manufacturer says are dishwasher-safe.
Clean removable dishwasher components — Racks, filters, and other removable parts can often be cleaned with the appropriate dishwasher detergent and water.
Remove baked-on food from dishwasher-safe cookware — Let the dishwasher do the work rather than applying concentrated detergent directly to a surface.
Clean reusable kitchen tools — Silicone utensils and other dishwasher-safe tools can be washed in the dishwasher.
Wash greasy containers — Put suitable containers through a normal dishwasher cycle.
Clean oven racks in the dishwasher — Only if the rack manufacturer and your dishwasher allow it. Some racks can damage dishwasher interiors or develop corrosion.
Wash refrigerator shelves — If the shelves are explicitly dishwasher-safe, the dishwasher can be much easier than hand-scrubbing.
Clean range-hood filters — Only dishwasher-cleanable filters should go in the dishwasher; check the appliance instructions first.
Clean other dishwasher-safe household items — Baby items, certain organizers, and durable plastic components may be suitable when their manufacturer permits dishwasher cleaning.
What NOT to do
Don’t dissolve a dishwasher pod and use the solution indiscriminately on floors, carpets, upholstery, skin, wood, natural stone, painted surfaces, or food-contact surfaces. Dishwasher detergents can be highly alkaline and are designed to be thoroughly rinsed away.
And never mix dishwasher detergent with bleach, ammonia, acids, or other cleaning chemicals.
The “genius hack” is usually less important than one rule: check what the surface or object is made of before using dishwasher detergent on it.
