How to use dishwasher pods in older dishwashers (STEP by STEP)

If you have an older dishwasher, you might be confused about how to use the dishwasher pods.

Dishwasher pods are a great way to wash your dishes without too much water or energy. Thus, they are a great way to save money on your utility bill and make cleaning up after dinner much easy.

But how do you use dishwasher pods if you have an older dishwasher?

In this blog post, we show you how to use dishwasher pods in older dishwashers, tell you why they are so effective, and recommend some that we think are best.

Table of Contents

How to Use Dishwasher Pods in Older Dishwashers?

First, open the bottom of your dishwasher and locate the pod holder found in the front of the dishwasher on top of the silver metal rail. The pod holder is where you put your new pods when you buy them.

If you have an older dishwasher, it might not have a pod holder but instead, have a plastic or cardboard box that holds multiple pods.

To fill it with pods, remove all other pods from inside the box and place them into your new pod box.

Once done, close up your dishwasher and turn it on. You should hear a click to indicate that everything is working well and ready for use!

If your dishwasher doesn’t have a separate cup for liquid detergent and prewash soap, DON’T put the pod in the main compartment where you would otherwise place the liquid or powdered detergent.

INSTEAD, place the pod in one of these other places: Rinse Aid Compartment or Soap Compartment.

Pods are supposed to work with a unique dispenser that prevents them from clumping together. But older models don’t have this dispenser and often have holes in the bottom of the pod itself, which means they can get stuck inside your dishwasher if they are not flushed out beforehand.

The best way to avoid this problem is to ensure that your old machine is empty before using a new pod inside it.

If you accidentally add one while it’s still full, there’s a chance that water will get trapped inside and ruin your machine’s seals or fill up any nooks and crannies where soap and food debris might collect over time—which could lead to mold buildup or other issues down the line.

How Do Dishwasher Pods Work in Dishwashers?

Dishwasher pods use a small amount of soap mixed with water to clean the dishes. The soap dissolves in the water and breaks down into smaller particles that help to wash the dishes.

The dishwasher uses this same process to wash your dishes. Instead of using soap as an ingredient, it uses a chemical added to the water supply.

This chemical helps remove any dirt or grease on your utensils before they enter the machine’s heating system.

How do you put detergent in an old dishwasher?

If you have an old dishwasher, one of the most common questions we get is: How do I put detergent? The good news is, it’s pretty easy!

Here are a few steps to get started:

Remove your old dishwasher from the wall and place it on its side.
Remove the detergent dispenser panel from the bottom of your dishwasher using a screwdriver or other tool that makes it easy to remove without any tools.
Remove any screws holding the panel in place and then slide it out. It will reveal an opening you can use to place your detergent packet inside.
Close the panel back up and replace all the screws so that nothing falls out as you fill your dishwasher with fresh detergent!

What is the best dishwasher detergent for older dishwashers?

It is a good idea to use a special detergent for older dishwashers. It will help keep your dishes clean and also make them last longer.

The best dishwasher detergent to use is one that contains enzymes. Enzymes are natural substances found in food and can break down things like grease and grime.

They work better than other washing powders because they help remove all types of stains, including baked-on food stains, which are very difficult to remove using simple methods.

This cleaning powder doesn’t leave any residue behind when you use it. But instead, leaves your dishes sparkling clean without leaving any oily film on them afterward.

The detergents listed below are some of the best and include everything you need for a powerful and efficient cleaning experience.

How do you use old dishwasher Cascade pods?

Dishwasher cascade pods are highly effective and powerful enough to clean a load of dishes. It is not necessary to pre-rinse the utensils since the cascade detergent contains enough energy to clean them.

All you have to do is put the cascade detergent pod into the dispenser drawer and run the dishwasher.

The detergent pods will drip or fall to the bottom of the dishwasher and mix with the water.

You can use cascade pods as follows;

1. Load the dishwasher

Place dishwasher-safe utensils in the dishwasher, such as insulated mugs, copper items, non-stick cookware, etc. Examine the bottom of the dishes if you are not sure whether it is dishwasher-safe.

2. Add the cascade detergent pod.

Remove the cascade detergent pod from the box. Ensure that the detergent pod is not torn, broken, or damaged. Otherwise, it will spread out. Place the cascade detergent pod carefully in the detergent drawer and lock it.

3. Add a rinse aid

Use the appropriate product to fill up the rinse aid dispenser. You can also use white vinegar if there is no rinse aid in your dishwasher. Vinegar as a rinse aid properly rinses all utensils.

4. Choose a cycle

The amount of dirt and cleaning the dishes require should determine how long the cycle takes. So select a suitable cycle in the dishwasher and let the cascade detergent pod work its magic.

5. Empty the dishwasher

Upon completion of the dishwasher cycle, check that the dishes are clean. If they are, you can be sure that the cascade detergent pod has done its work.

Make sure the utensils are not damp as well. Select the air dry cycle and run the dishwasher for 30 minutes if they are not dry. After that, empty the dishwasher.

Conclusion

If you have an older dishwasher, it’s worth checking out the option of using dishwasher pods as they are a great way to clean your dishes with less water and energy.

To get more out of your old dishwasher, remember to:

Make sure you’re using a compatible model of dishwasher.
Clean the dishwasher before using pods.
Run a rinse cycle with no soap or detergent after opening the pod.
Rinse off all residue from the pod before running the next cycle

The steps above should help you get the most out of your older dishwasher. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask!