The Dirt on (and in) Dishwasher Pods

Have you wondered about those multi-colored gel packs for dishwashers? They are pre-measured and convenient to use; just pop one pod into the dishwashing compartment where you normally pour liquid or powder and you’re good to go. This may sound easy and straightforward, but if you dive into what these little gems are made of, you might reconsider switching over from your usual liquid or powder detergent. In fact, you might even reconsider any type of dishwashing cleaner you use. Let’s explore the pros and cons.

What Are Dishwashing Pods Made Of? Dishwashing pods are individual, dissolving packets that contain multi-colored liquids stored in chambers made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), a water-soluble plastic commercially used in both laundry and dish detergent pods. Unfortunately, some tablets/pods won’t dissolve fully in the dishwasher, especially if the temperature of water isn’t hot enough (at least 110 degrees F), but whether the pods dissolve partially or fully in your dishwasher, they eventually go down the drain and portions/particles of the pods persist as microplastic sludge or wastewater that winds up harming aquatic habitats. An international study found that up to 75% of plastic waste from pods enters the environment without biodegrading.

What about what’s inside the plastic pod case? Whether you buy conventional dishwashing liquid detergent or pods, take a look at the list of ingredients on the packaging. Either method may contain harsh chemicals that go down the drain and leech into or poison the water table. While companies won’t openly list parabens, phthalates, or VOCS on their labels, consumers should try to avoid brands that contain phosphates, polyacrylates, benzisothiazolinone, or chlorine bleach; they cause damage to the micro and macro flora and fauna of the environment. Incidentally, in 2010, seventeen states banned the use of phosphates, which is used to soften water and prevent mineral buildup on dishes but causes harmful algal blooms and water pollution. The progressive state of California was not one of the 17 states, although it does restrict the use of phosphates. Some manufacturers add other toxic “bonuses” such as rinsing agents for preventing residue or “power balls” for extra degreasing.

Mainstream dishwashing brands like Dawn and Cascade are also still made with petroleum products, which is ironic considering that Dawn is the preferred go-to product for cleaning birds affected by oil spills. Apparently, its secret formula contains surfactants (chemicals that cut through grease) that supposedly don’t harm skin when scrubbing dishes (or birds).

Unfortunately, chemical residue left on “clean” dishes can cause irritation to skin and eyes and be bad for health in general, especially the gut biome when ingested on a regular basis. Don’t underestimate the innocuous listing of “fragrance” either; it is often comprised of hundreds of undisclosed chemicals that may be toxic to humans and the environment. It’s also important to note that colorful gel pods can be very attractive to children and pets but hazardous to their health and need to be kept out of reach.

A few more cons to conventional detergent pods:

Pods are typically costlier than liquid gel or powder detergent.
Pods come pre-measured, so they don’t provide the flexibility of pouring less or more liquid product into the compartment, depending on the size of your load. (Of course, waiting until you have a full load is more environmentally responsible.)
Pods are designed specifically for dishwashers, so if you rely more on hand-washing certain dishes or fragile items, liquid soap will still be necessary.

The Good News If you want to move away from liquid for your dishwasher and try pods or tablets, there are versions that clean effectively using non-toxic, biodegradable ingredients. These greener alternatives contain plant-derived ingredients that are free of harsh chemicals like dyes, chlorine, SLS, and phosphates and will breakdown safely, without harmful environmental impact on humans or aquatic systems. These more sustainable pods effectively get rid of stains and grease by using ingredients like oxygen bleach (as opposed to chlorine bleach), enzymes, mineral-based ingredients, and maybe even chicory root for preventing water stains. The best eco-friendly pods also come in sustainable packaging such as cardboard or zero-plastic compostable containers.

Ideally, the products you buy are certified by a reputable third-party organization such as the Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Working Group, or Green Seal and are non-toxic, synthetic fragrance-free, cruelty-free, and don’t contain dyes or other harmful chemicals.

You can even search online for how to make your own homemade dishwasher recipes with non-toxic, biodegradable ingredients like white wine vinegar, washing soda, citric acid, baking soda, and sodium salt. Here's one from Wellness Mama.

Check out this list of eco-friendly dishwashing detergents (liquids and pods) from the EWG (Environmental Working Group).

Some Eco-Friendly Brands of Dishwasher Pods:

Sources and Further Reading:

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

https://www.organics.ph/blogs/articles/eco-friendly-dishwasher-pods-are-they-effective

https://www.kitchensurfing.com/are-dishwasher-pods-safe-lets-find-out/#:~:text=Dishwasher%20pods%20may%20be%20hazardous%20to%20the%20environment