Since I love my DIY laundry pods, I decided it was time to make my own DIY Dishwasher Pods. They’re super simple to make and just as cost-effective. Of course, I love them too! If you want to cut back on or eliminate toxic household cleaners from your life, give these DIY Lemon Dishwasher Pods a try!
Related: Quick and Easy DIY Laundry Pods

DIY Dishwasher Pods Ingredients:
- 1 C. Baking Soda
- 1 C. Washing Soda
- 1 C. Salt
- ¼ C. Citric Acid
- 1 C. Water
- 20 Drops of Lemon Essential Oil
- ½ C. Vinegar (for each load)
- Silicone mold tray or ice cube tray that is about 1.5″ x 1.5″ x 1″
Related: 10 Eco-Friendly Laundry Tips
DIY Lemon Dishwasher Pods Directions:
- Stir all dry ingredients (baking soda, washing soda, salt, and citric acid) in a mixing bowl.
- Add water to dry the ingredients. The mixture will start fizzing. Wait until the fizzing subsides (about a minute or so) before stirring.
- Add essential oil and stir thoroughly.
- Scoop 1 Tbsp. of the mixture into tray compartments. Tap lightly to even out the mixture. If you do not have a silicone or ice cube tray, you can scoop 1 Tbsp. of mixture onto a foil or parchment paper-covered cookie sheet.
- Let pods harden for several hours or overnight before removing them from the tray and/or using them.
- Pour ¼ C. vinegar into the rinse compartment of your dishwasher with each load. This helps prevent streaking.
*Store in an airtight container. Makes 36 pods.
Related: 10 Uses for White Vinegar
All of these ingredients are easy to buy at your local grocery store except citric acid. In the past, I looked all over for it and never did find it locally. Finally, I had to buy it online from Amazon. The citric acid helps keep hard water stains at bay so I wouldn’t leave it out. Citric acid is also a must-have ingredient if you’re going to make homemade bath bombs—so there’s something fun to do with the leftovers!
Are you a fan of cleaning pods and homemade cleaning products? What’s your favorite?
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Lisa is a mother of three lovely young women and is a new grandmother to a baby boy! She has been married to her high school sweetheart for more than thirty years. Lisa is originally from Dearborn Heights, Michigan, but has lived in the Tampa Bay area since 1984. Running a small business for over 25 years and raising a family has made for a busy, busy life with many ups and downs; it’s definitely been an adventure.
Lisa’s always involved in one project or another whether it’s work related or serving her community. She also recently went back to school to finish her bachelor’s degree in American Studies. Lisa tries to make every day a good day—that means learning something new, practicing kindness, and enjoying the present moment.
This is brilliant! I’m definitely going to try this. Those pods can get expensive, and this seems like a great alternative.
This is a great idea – i never would have thought to make homemade dishwasher pods – Genius!
Wow! ok! never ever thought about making my own dishwater pods. Thanks for the tip on stopping streaking. my issue is with residue, does this leave residue?
I LOVE this idea! Always looking for more natural household cleaning products. Can’t wait to give these a try!
I really love this idea! Thanks for the tips and information. Can’t wait to give these a try!
DIY Products with natural ingredients is a concept that should be so much more practiced all around the world! I have to try your dishwasher pods as soon as possible! Just imagine how much plastic I’ll not throw away!
What kind of salt? Is it regular table salt or Epsom? I’m extremely new to this…
Epsom salt is best.
You can usually find citric acid in with canning supplies in most grocery stores.
I’ve been using these for about 2 moths now, LOVE the simplicity of your recipe and the quality of the clean. But I am finding they won’t stay together and I end up having to scoop out spoonfuls instead.
And insight or tricks that may help me out?
I made the dishwasher tabs but they crumbled up, but no big deal I put 1 Tbls inthe soap dish and the vinegar in the rinse dish, and they came out perfect.
Is it necessary to allow all the fiz to occur before putting the mixture into the mold? I know with my toilent bombs I was to avoid making it fiz. I’m really trying to go green in my house!
What a great idea! Going to try these.