Clean Your Dishwasher with Kool-Aid!

Over a year ago, this idea came across my laptop from somewhere in internet land… most likely on Pinterest.  Afterall, don’t most of today’s great ideas come to us through there?  This one certainly intrigued me though – and I was a little skeptical about it’s results. Like – are my dishes going to taste like lemonade or become canary yellow?

But, I tried it… I mean, even if I didn’t like it I was only out $0.20.  I could probably replace that somewhere in my couch cushions. That $0.20 ended up being a wise investment though because it actually worked – and left my dishwasher sparkling clean… and my dishes didn’t turn yellow or become lemonade flavored in return.  I’ve been cleaning my dishwasher like this for a good solid year now, so I figured it was about time to share this little tidbit with y’all.

It’s so simple & frugal – all you need is a lemonade flavored packet of Kool-Aid.  Yes, it has to be lemonade so don’t try cleaning your dishwasher with grape Kool-Aid. It’s the citric acid content inside the packet that does the trick, and the lemonade version is the only one that contains it.

Simply pour 1 packet’s worth of Lemonade Kool-Aid into the spot where you put your detergent for a normal wash.  Make sure your dishwasher is empty.

Turn your dial to ‘heavy wash’ – and start the cycle.  Let it run just as you normally would.

When the dishwasher is done, you’ll have one sparkling clean dishwasher!

Repeat this as needed, about once every 1-3 months depending on how often you use your dishwasher. I use a packet once a month because we are pretty avid dishwasher users – running 1-2 loads per day.  Wayyy cheaper than the overpriced cleaners you see at the supermarket, and it works just as good!

Interested in some more ways to stretch your dollar?  Check out the Frugal Living category here on the Mrs for some more inspiration!