The Dish Detergent Pods Everyone Should Buy, According To Customers

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When perusing the cleaning aisle at the grocery store or buying dishwasher detergent online, it can seem like there are a million options to choose from — from soaps to powders to pods. But if you want convenient, consistent, and efficient cleaning results without needing to weigh out detergent or powder, dishwasher pods are a popular option. And according to customers, there's one kind of dish detergent pods everyone should buy — Cascade Complete ActionPacs. 

If you take a peek at customer reviews for Cascade's pods, the consensus is that these pods deliver. One of the biggest qualms with dishwasher pods in general is the incomplete distribution of the powder or detergent inside the packet. On Walmart reviews of the Fresh Scent liquid dish detergent pods from Cascade, customers don't report these problems. On the contrary, customers say the pods leave their dishes "sparkling clean every time." And with 4.7 out of 5 stars based on 8,083 ratings and 5,600 reviews, that's a pretty clear thumbs-up from customers. "All I do is [scrape] off the excess food and load the dishes, then let the pacs do the rest!" one person wrote, adding that they also liked the "fresh, clean scent." And they're not alone — many customers agreed that the pods make dishwashing a breeze. 

Some people say you're better off skipping dishwasher pods altogether since they're not eco-friendly with the extra plastic packets, and many products can leave a powdery, undissolved mess on your dishes instead of fully cleaning them. While dishwashing has been proven to save water compared to washing dishes by hand, a balance of effectiveness and sustainability should be considered when it comes to detergent. If you do choose to buy dishwasher pods, it's wise to make sure you're not wasting your money (and the packaging) on an ineffective product.

At Walmart's price of $13.63 per 21-ounce product containing 40 pods (though cost may vary depending on store and location), the pods are significantly more expensive than a bottle of Cascade dishwasher liquid. However, the price is on par with other top-rated convenience pods and gel detergents. For many people, the effectiveness and ease of the product make the price worth it. "It's incredibly affordable and delivers spotless results," one customer wrote in their review of the product.

Another person said that they wouldn't use any other brand, claiming, "Clean every time! Any other brand [I've] used leaves the fragrance behind on the dishes and I can taste it, yuck!" When it comes to dishwashing versus hand-washing, many pods and powders don't do a great job cleaning certain items like glassware. But according to customers, Cascade's dish pods can clean a variety of dishes flawlessly, including those with "stuck-on food."