Dishwasher pods are very effective in removing food stains from dishwashers. In fact, people have been using it as a great alternative to powder, detergents or soaps. For its multiple benefits, dishwasher pods have become a common kitchen item in every household.
For its multiple benefits, many people use the dishwasher pods for several other washing purposes. Therefore, most people get in a dilemma whether dishwasher pods expire or not.
Today, in this article, we are going to answer all the questions you have regarding the expiration of dishwasher pods.
Do dishwasher pods expire?
Dishwasher pods can last about 10 to 11 months or even up to 1 year. However, the effectiveness of the dishwasher pod can start to decrease after 4 or 5 months. While most branded dishwasher pods can even last about 16 months but some brands have claimed that their pod can even last for a lifetime.
Dishwasher pods are very effective pods because they last longer than usual detergents, and they also clean the food stains from dishes fully.
The usage of dishwasher pods has been increasing over the years because of their effectiveness in removing food stains from dishes as well as for their long-lasting qualities.
Also, dishwasher pods can last about 13 months or even more than that. Most dishwasher pods last on average for ten or 11months.
However, many branded pod companies have claimed that their dishwasher pods last for a lifetime and also they have stated that their pods don’t ever expire.
But most dishwasher pods experts have said that the effectiveness of those dishwasher pods starts to decrease after 7 or 8 months.
Cascade:
Well, the cascade pods manufacturers have said that the cascade dishwasher pods can last more than 17 months. However, it is not true because the cascade users have said that after 8 or 9 months, their cascade pods have turned yellow.
Also, many other cascade users have stated that after a certain period of time, their cascade dishwashing pod started turning brown.
When the cascade dishwashing pod starts to turn brown or yellow, then the washing ability of the pod starts to decrease, and the dishes don’t get clean like before.
Fairy:
In the case of the fairy dishwasher tablets, it has an expiration of 19 months or sometimes more than. But just like the cascade dishwashing pod, the fairy dishwasher tablets go mouldy.
Because after a certain period of time, the fairy dishwasher tablets go mouldy due to technical problems. Therefore, many users do prefer using fairy dishwasher tablets, but the expiration of the tablet annoys them.
How long are dishwasher pods good for? Do dishwasher pods go bad?
The expiration of the dishwasher pods always depends on their brand type. Because many manufacturers have stated that their dishwasher pods can last more than 1.5 years, also, some brands also said that their dishwashing pod doesn’t even have an expiry date.
But based on the user’s review, it is not true. Because most dishwashing pods do have an expiry date, and usually, the pods start to turn yellow and brown after 9 or 10 months. Therefore, it can be said that dishwasher pods can be good for as long as 9 or 10 months.
Yes, dishwasher pods do go bad. It is due to the technical issues for which the dishwasher pods go bad—usually going bad means that dishwasher turns to yellowish or brownish or even mouldy, and after a certain period of time which is 9 months, a dishwasher pod can go bad
Can I use old dishwasher pods?
Yes, you can use the old dishwasher pod as long as the dishwasher pod is not more than 18 months older. Most people want to know whether older dishwasher pods clean more than newer ones.
Well, it is not true because the older dishwasher pods have less effective as well as they cannot clean the dishes like the newer ones until you double wash them.
If your dishwasher pods are less than 18 months old, then you can certainly use them. But if it’s more than 20 months old, then it will be better if you don’t use them because the effectiveness of the pod will be minimal.
Therefore, the cleaning ability of the pods will be less, and your dishes won’t be shining.
2 reason you should not use old dishwasher pods :
The pod users have said that not to use the old dishwasher pods because of many reasons. We have described some of the reasons for you:
Effectiveness is less:
Most old dishwasher pods lose their effectiveness after 9 or 10 months. Therefore, most old dishwasher pods don’t clean the dishes as the newer ones do.
In addition, you won’t be able to see the shining of the dishes if you clean them with old dishwasher pods. Most dishwasher pods manufacturers have stated that their dishwasher pods can last for about two years.
But it is also true that the effectiveness of those dishwasher pods decreases after 9 or 10 months. Therefore, it can be said that the dishwasher pods can last very long, but their capability of cleaning won’t last long enough.
Older ones might waste your time:
Older dishwasher pods might waste your time in cleaning the dishes because the older ones take time to remove the food stain from the dishes.
Therefore, it is not worth it to use the older dishwasher pods rather go for the new ones.
How long can you store dishwasher pods?
You can store dishwasher pods for more than two years, depending on their expiration. Because the longer it has the expiration, the more time will be able to store the pod.
Most dishwasher pods have an expiry date of more than 20 months, and you will be able to store them for more than two years. But if you rough use the pods, then you will be able to store them for as long as 15 months.
Most dishwasher pods manufacturers said that their pods don’t have any expiry date. However, based on the review of the users, it is imminent that you won’t be able to store those pods for more than 15 or 16 months.
How to tell if the dishwasher pod has gone bad?
There are two or three ways you can tell if the dishwasher pod has gone bad or not. Most of the users have said that they could tell if the dishwasher pod has gone bad or not by noticing the colour.
However, we have described some simple steps on how to tell if your dishwasher pod has gone bad or not.
Turning yellow:
Most times, you will see that your dishwasher pod has turned yellow. Most users have said that if your dishwasher pod turns yellow, that means it has gone bad.
Most cascade users have faced this situation, and they have said that it is better to throw the pod away as the pod has lost its cleaning capabilities.
Turning brown:
Similar to the cascade dishwashing pods turning yellow, some dishwasher pods also turn brown when they go bad. Mostly the fairy dishwasher pod starts to turn brown when they go bad.
Although the fairy manufacturers have said that these dishwasher pods have a shelf life of more than 19 months, the effectiveness of the pod decreases when they become 9 or 10 months old.
Therefore, it will be better if you throw the brownish pod away and go for the newer ones as the brownish pods lose their cleaning capabilities.
Go mould:
If your dishwasher pod goes mould, then it means that the pod has gone bad.
Because some dishwasher pods go mould when they go bad rather than changing their colours, therefore it will be better if you change your dishwasher pod whenever they go mould.
How to store dishwasher pods for longer shelf life?
Well, there are some steps you will need to follow if you want to store your dishwasher pods for a long time. We have explained those steps down below if you want some detailing:
Room temperature:
The main way you can store your dishwasher pods for a long time is by keeping them at room temperature.
Because at the proper temperature, they won’t go mouldy. In addition, at proper room temperature, you will be able to use the pods for a long time.
Use them properly:
The pod’s experts have recommended that if you want to store your pods for a long time, then you will need to use them properly. Also, do not rough use them as well as maintain them properly?
Final Thoughts
Dishwasher pods can last more than 15 or 16 months despite having a shelf-life of 19 or 20 months. Because the effectiveness of the pod’s decreases after nine or ten months, therefore, you will get proper cleaning service from them up to 12 to 13 months.