I don’t know which is worse – spending money on cleaning supplies or washing dishes by hand? For the past year or so, I’ve been doing too much of both. I’ve never believed in spending a lot on cleaning products and usually settle for the generic or buy them at Costco with a coupon. I even made my own laundry detergent for a while.
We bought a new dishwasher a few years ago, and it was great at first. But not more than a few months after purchasing it I noticed a really annoying, time-sucking pattern. Every 3 to 4 months it would no longer get things clean. The detergent dispenser would get all clogged up and the dishes would be covered in film. We would buy all sorts of dishwasher cleaners, I would douse the thing in vinegar and baking soda…any kind of Pinterest remedy I could find, I tried. And then I would waste hours washing and rewashing dishes by hand.
I would wash and as I washed I would think about all of the things I could be doing, and I would want to cry out of frustration. OK, sometimes I cried. (If either of my sister-in-laws are reading this, they are probably laughing. They don’t have dishwashers and LIKE doing dishes by hand. Someone please explain this to me.) This cycle of 3-4 months with a functioning dishwasher, followed by a few weeks of hand washing went on for far too long. Then my husband came home with these.
And I laughed. But at this point I was willing to try anything. And they were amazing. I could tell after the first wash: things were clean, pristine even. Not a water spot or blemish in sight.
I’ve been using them for several months now, and I can’t say enough about them. Besides just the great cleaning, they are no mess and the kids love to take turns dropping them in the dispenser and closing the door. As someone who hates spending money on cleaning supplies, this purchase does not make me cringe. They are totally worth it, and I will choose the spending over the hand-washing any day.
*This is not a sponsored post. I just really love these things, and if I can help someone else save some precious time than this post is totally worth it.
I no longer make my own laundry detergent because I tried these. My husband is on construction sites every day and plays lots of sports. These pods get his clothes cleaner than anything else I’ve tried, another product totally worth the money.
Haley says
Wow, I need to invest in the dishwashing pods. I get the cloudy/not really clean every couple loads also.
I use the laundry detergent pods. I've had them not dissolve all of the way and get stuck to clothes, but that is usually when the man of the house it doing laundry so he is probably throwing more than one in or overstuffing the load. I always splurge on Clorox wipes and Swiffers. The wipes are just so quick and easy, and the Swiffers make cleaning the floor so much easier.
themakerista@gmail.com says
I used to get that too, Haley! I thought our silverware and some of our glasses were gone for sure, but they look great now! Hope you have the same results!
Kara Cooper says
Love the tide pods and dishwasher pods! Haven't turned back since using them! Also love Pledge multi surface cleaner. Can be used on EVERYTHING!!
themakerista@gmail.com says
I do like that Pledge stuff. To clean glass and wood at the same time is pretty amazing!
Heather@Tatter and Fray says
I had major problems with my dishwasher, too. I tried tons of things and finally found Ajax dishwasher tabs, which work great for me (bonus: they are cheap!). I didn't have the best results with Cascade, but my mom swears by it. Sometimes I think results vary by water quality — mine is super hard and rusty. I also read somewhere that it was good to run water in your kitchen sink until it gets hot BEFORE turning on the dishwasher — this has really helped me. I think I'll have to try the Tide Pods next! 😉
themakerista@gmail.com says
I'll have to try those out, thanks Heather! And thanks for reading!
Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says
Thanks for the tip. I've had huge problems with my dishwasher too and I will try anything!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Hope they help you too!
Emily Morris says
Oh my goodness, I can't believe you hadn't tried the pods before now! They are so easy and mess-free. I've been through all sorts of pods and liquid detergent as well and I've come to the conclusion that our water is the culprit of our dirty silverware. I even took a set of silverware back to BBB because I thought it was faulty, but come to find out it was just our hard water! I love Clorox wipes and stainless steal wipes too…anything that comes in a wipe form is excellent in my book…quick to clean and easy to dispose of!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Bummer! I can't believe how much ours has turned around since using the pods. Can't wait for Tuesday!
Dawn Fritz says
Mrs. Meyers Countertop Spray – pick your favorite scent! My favorites are geranium and lemon verbena. Kitchen counters so clean and so yummy smelling you could almost lick them (okay, maybe not, that sounds gross – but you get the point!).
themakerista@gmail.com says
Dawn, I've heard such great things about that stuff! I'll have to get some and give it a go. My counters are kind of matte and they show a lot of streaks and such so that might be something good to invest in. Thanks for reading!
House Envy says
Love these magic packets!
Laurie from Laurie Jones Home says
I'm going to give these a shot, we have an expensive dishwasher and I have the same exact problem you're explaining and I refuse to buy a new one until we get some more use out of the old one! Thanks for the tip!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Good luck, Laurie! I hope they work for you too!
Autumn Beach says
No cleaning tips. But I totally agree about the leaves. I just MARVEL at the colors. Well, I did last week. Like you said, they're almost gone. SO excited to see what you have up your sleeve for a HD Style Challenge! How exciting!!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, lady! I know, those few rain spells we had wiped them clean. Kind of a bummer. But I'm starting to get in the Christmas spirit around the house, so that makes the colder temps and everything looking dead a bit more tolerable. 🙂
hundem says
We recently moved back to Missouri after a long time away. The hard water here (because of our limestone) has ruined all my plastic-wear, and our glasses were covered. My husband also bought the pods–and I'm amazed at how clear our glasses are now!!! I don't know how much they cost, because I am also cheap with cleaning products–but whatever the cost they are worth it!!!
themakerista@gmail.com says
I totally hear ya. 🙂 Thanks for reading!
Bethany DeVore says
Thanks for sharing your tips! I've always wondered about how those pods work. If it saves time it's definitely worth it!
heavensheartdesigns says
Running an empty dishwasher and substituting baking soda instead of detergent can help clean off the mineral stains and water spotting inside the dishwasher. It's economical, earth-friendly and it keeps the interior of the dishwasher smelling sweet! I try this once a week after I've emptied the clean dishes. It may waste a little water, but better than a plumber or appliance repair person in saving $$.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much for the tip!